First Volvo FE Euro 5 gritters go to Lincolnshire C. C.

The UK‘s first four, new generation Volvo FE Euro 5 6x4 gritters have gone into service with Lincolnshire County Council, which have seven years experience of operating Volvo gritters within its winter maintenance service.

Lincolnshire County Council’s County Fleet Engineer Richard Burton said. “We continue to specify Volvo on the grounds of value for money, quick availability of parts and a fast turnaround in the workshop. Coupled with this, TransLinc provided us with the best package price and the Volvo reliability is extremely good. We don’t experience any problems due to salt corrosion, including those usually associated with wiring.”

Richard added, “As a County, we’re also looking to switch to an entirely Euro 5 fleet where possible, in line with the County’s stated desire to reduce our overall vehicle carbon emissions.”

The FE’s were specified with fully automatic gearboxes and, according to Richard, they are popular with the drivers, especially when gritting in built-up areas. “It makes the drivers’ job a lot easier,” he says.

The four FE’s were supplied to the County Council by fleet outsourcing specialist TransLinc Ltd on a 10-year contract hire package through Volvo Dealer Crossroads Truck and Bus at Rotherham. They will operate out of the Ancaster depot, which is dedicated to winter maintenance vehicles. All are equipped with satellite controlled Epoke bodies, supplied by Bunce (Ashbury) Ltd.