Factory fitted drawbar for EB Equipment’s first Volvo

EB Equipment Limited of Barnsley, who specialise in the design and manufacture of GRP bulk storage and conveying systems, has taken delivery of their first Volvo truck – an FH 400 6x4 drawbar to Euro 5 specification.

Supplied to the family-owned firm by Volvo dealer Crossroads Truck and Bus in Rotherham, the FH features a factory-fitted VBG drawbar coupling, air and electrical connections, a Globetrotter cab in ‘Comfort’ trim, double bunks, heated seats, as well as a factory-fitted reversing camera.

James Bates, Joint Managing Director for EB Equipment said. “I approached Volvo and asked them if they could manufacture a truck complete to our requirements. The answer was ‘Yes’. This meant cutting the chassis to the correct length, specifying the couplings, hydraulics, reversing cameras and electrics, so the truck could be factory built with all these items fitted. I didn’t want to deal with half a dozen companies and various body builders – Volvo were able to offer a complete ‘one stop shop’ service.”

The FH was also specified with the I-Shift gearbox. James added. “I demo’d the I-Shift and was more than impressed with it. I believe in making things easier for the driver but also getting the best out of the vehicle in terms of economy and productivity.”

The drawbar rig is fitted with front and rear air suspension. James went on to say. “You can raise the front or rear independently or the whole truck all at once. This is good for some of the sites we deliver to as it reduces potential for damage to the chassis.”

EB needed a high specification vehicle with a low chassis height, where the height of the rigid matched the height of the existing drawbar trailers. James said “Crossroads are very professional at what they do. They were very patient with us as it was a lengthy process specifying and ordering the vehicle to our particular requirements. A lot of time was spent ensuring the chassis height was right to match the height of the trailers we’ve already got. It’s also the first vehicle we’ve had with a digital tachograph and Crossroads are supplying the software for this. Crossroads visited us on site and we also had meetings at the Volvo HQ in Warwick to look at the technical specification of the vehicle, for example, the different options on the diesel tanks and the PTO controls. I like everything about the truck and the salesman really knew his stuff. We’re also now working with Crossroads on a maintenance contract.”

Carrying up to 2 bulk storage silos at a time, the FH is expected to cover up to 70,000 kms per year.