Northchapel’s new Volvo FH 440 built to do anything

Reliability and versatility were the two key factors in Northchapel Transport’s choice of Volvo for their fifth new vehicle since the company’s foundation in 1997. The FH-440 8x2 rigid, plated for operation at 32 tonnes GVW, is designed for optimum flexibility in terms of load, while support will come from long-standing partners M.C. Truck & Bus Ltd., who also supplied the vehicle to the West Sussex plant and general transport operator.

“Why Volvo?” says owner Shane Lucking, “Because they’re extremely reliable and they do everything we ask of them, since we can get them built to our exact specification. We need our vehicles to be able to handle anything from a mini-digger to a 26-tonne crane to a multi-modal container; our contacts at MC Truck and Bus know our business as well as their own, and are able to give excellent advice through the whole the spec and order process. Volvos are comfortable, too – this FH is very much a driver’s truck, pleasant to work in with plenty of cab space.”

As well as the spacious Globetrotter cab, Northchapel’s drivers enjoy Volvo’s I-Shift fully-automated transmission, while the 440hp D13C engine is fully Euro-5 compliant. Externally, the truck features factory paintwork and a versatile Andover body. A front-mounted Palfinger PK36 crane dominates the deck, which is also equipped with a fold-over beavertail and chain lockers for plant work, as well as twistlocks for securing shipping containers. As Shane says, “It’s built to do anything!”

Shane plans to run the FH-440 for five to six years “depending on the state of the economy at the time”, during which period M.C. Truck & Bus Ltd. will handle repair and maintenance from their Burgess Hill facility. Initially, this will be under a 4-year contract, but Shane plane to extend this on a rolling basis to cover the truck’s entire working life.