Nottingham City Council take UK’s first Volvo FE gritter

Nottingham City Council has added the UK’s first Volvo FE gritter - the seventh Volvo in their fleet -citing previous experience of Volvo’s reliability in winter conditions as a major factor.

Supplied by Hartshorne Motor Services in Alfreton, the 18 tonne FE 4x2 rigid delivers its 240bhp via a six-speed manual gearbox and features Econ gritting equipment powered by an engine-driven PTO.

Despite its winter role as part of the Council’s commitment to a safer Nottingham, Fleet Development and Safety Officer Paul Wood says that two-wheel drive is entirely adequate. “The gritters go out before the snow falls or the ice forms, as well as after,” he points out, “and we can rely on well-trained drivers to keep them out of trouble.” Nonetheless, the Volvos’ winter endurance has impressed. “I don’t know whether it’s because they’re designed and made in Sweden,” says Paul, “but in my experience they stand up extremely well to the constant exposure to damp and salt. We’re proud of the service we provide and ambitious to make it even better; these trucks represent an investment in doing that effectively.”

A range of specialist equipment has been added to the FE’s specification to deal with its vital safety role – “these trucks are an emergency service”, as Paul remarks – including the roof-mounted beacon and fluorescent stripes fitted to its high-visibility yellow bodywork and also front-mounted auxiliary lights. There are also additional exterior mirrors, including one positioned directly over the vehicle’s centre-line and aimed directly downwards.

Paul emphasises the importance of the Parts back-up service from Hartshorne Motor Services. “Although the fleet only goes out when it’s needed – a truck might do two thousand miles one year and stay in the depot all winter the next – they do have to be ready when they’re needed. That means we need reliable, overnight Parts availability; so far, we haven’t been able to fault Hartshorne’s performance.”