30 years of Volvo’s continues with Thompson’s new FL skiploaders

Demolition, recycling and quarry specialists Thompson’s of Prudhoe, near Newcastle upon Tyne, have taken delivery of the North-East’s first new-generation Volvo FL’s – four 4x2 skiploaders.

The long-time Volvo customer cites the relationship with Volvo Dealer, Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North at Washington and the reliability of the product as the reasons for choosing the 240bhp, 18 tonne GVW trucks, which will mostly be deployed on skip-hire work.

“We have operated Volvo’s since the mid 1970s,” says John Thompson Snr, the company’s Chairman and son of William and Margaret Thompson who founded it in 1948. “Our first Volvo trucks were 6-wheelers; today we run approximately 80, out of a fleet of 130, of various types from 44 tonne tractor units and 8-wheel tippers down to skiploaders like these. We choose Volvo because of our relationship with our local Volvo dealer and, of course, there’s Volvo’s reliability, and the drivers are also very happy with the product.”

The FL’s are equipped with 9-speed manual transmission and steel rear-suspension. While two of the trucks have Day cabs, the others have the larger, Medium cab for added comfort on longer journeys. All the cabs feature ‘Comfort’ trim and are fitted with CD players. The skiploading gear is by Edbro and the trucks have additional front centreline mirrors to aid safe manoeuvring.

Skips collected by the FL’s will go to the company’s four recycling plants, which can reclaim around 95% of construction waste.

The vehicles are all on a three-year Repair and Maintenance contract with Volvo Truck and Bus Centre at Washington.