UK’s first Volvo FH16-700 centre-steer tractor unit arrives

The UK’s first Volvo FH16-700 equipped with a hydraulically-steered centre axle has entered service with West Country bulk operator H. Curtis & Sons of Pensford, near Bristol.

Supplied by Volvo Dealer Wales and West Truck and Bus in Avonmouth, the FH16-700 is employed primarily to work with end-tip or walking floor trailers and is often required to negotiate narrow, unmade farm tracks as well as A-Class roads and Motorways throughout the UK and Europe.

Driver Derek Curtis, a partner in the business of H. Curtis & Sons, reports that the new Volvo is “simply amazing” when referring to the power, comfort and road-holding of his FH16-700. “I have always driven the biggest and best truck models available,” he said. “So I am used to comfort and power. But the phenomenal torque of this new Volvo with the latest I-Shift automated gearbox and steered centre-axle has really surprised me. It handles perfectly whether it’s in a farmyard or on an auto-route. ‘Awesome’ is an over-used term for this type of truck, but it really is simply amazing !”

Plated for operation at 44-tonnes the Curtis FH16-700 features all the comforts of home. Included are a refrigerator, microwave oven, flat-screen TV and full leather cab interior. Meanwhile outside, the tractor unit boasts a metallic pearl paint finish, polished ‘Durabrite’ alloy wheels and supplementary lighting.

Specified for optimum fuel economy without any sacrifice in performance, the 6x2 tractor unit is geared so that at the legal maximum speed of 90 kph, engine speed is limited to a leisurely 1200rpm.

“The low engine speed and massive power makes for a quiet, relaxing drive even when fully loaded,” says Derek Curtis.