BB go RO-RO with their first new Volvo trucks
BB Haulage has taken delivery of two Globetrotter XL-cabbed, Euro 5 Volvo FH-480 6x2 tractor units, which will be based at the company’s Caistor depot in Lincolnshire. These are the company’s first new Volvo’s and will be used on RO-RO operations out of UK ports, including Immingham. The new Volvo’s feature ‘Prestige’ trim and are equipped with I-Shift transmission, climate control, in-cab fridge, GPS satellite tracking and long-range fuel tanks.
All the drivers are ADR qualified, thus permitting BB Haulage to carry packaged Hazardous Goods. The new trucks will be covering in the region of 130,000 kms a year and, according to Transport Manager Chris Brady, the latest Volvo’s will be defleeted when they reach 3 years old or around 400,000 kms.
The trucks operate at 44 tonnes for the majority of the time and drivers spend up to 5 nights out a week. AdBlue usage by the Volvo’s SCR technology is running at between 2 and 3% of diesel consumption, says Chris, and is dispensed via an IBC in the yard at Caistor.
The vehicles were supplied by Crossroads Truck and Bus at nearby Stallingborough, where the maintenance will be carried out under the standard Volvo 2-year service contract. After this Chris says that they will probably go onto an R&M contract for their remaining time in the BB Haulage fleet. This, he says, should have a positive impact on their residual values.
Chris praises the service delivered by Crossroads Truck and Bus and the fact that the Volvo Dealer gives drivers a courtesy car for use while their trucks are serviced overnight.
The first Volvo to enter service with the smart BB Haulage fleet of 20 trucks was actually a used ’54 plated Globetrotter XL-cabbed FH-460 which was purchased in 2006 from Crossroads at Scunthorpe. This truck, says Chris, has given good service; a fact which influenced the decision to purchase the two new FH’s.
‘B.B.’ are the initials of former Owner Operator, Bill Banks, who founded and owns the company together with his wife Lyn.
