Collard is I-Shift convert

Hampshire demolition, disposal and recycling specialist R Collard Ltd has celebrated buying their 50th Volvo eight-wheeler by adding the I-Shift automated gearbox to the spec, and they are already seeing the benefits.

Company owner Robert Collard explained, “We took an I-Shift ‘box in an FM double-drive tractor nine months ago and it’s performed exceptionally well, so I thought it was time to try it in an eight-legger.”

The two new Volvo FM13-380 8x4 chassis have only been at work for a month, but Robert is delighted. “The drivers think they are absolutely fabulous and early indications are that they are beating the manual versions on fuel. My next order will be I-Shift too,” he added.

Collard was able to take advantage of the construction software package for the I-Shift which optimises the gear shifting for challenging on/off road work and gives the very best fuel consumption possible.

Collard operates a fleet of 44 trucks from their Hampshire base and the two new arrivals take his Volvo four-axle rigid fleet to 30. The trucks work hard for a living on multi-drop and on/off highway construction and aggregate duties.

Volvo Truck and Bus Centre London supplied the trucks from their Didcot site and Collard uses their Basingstoke depot for service, parts and warranty work.

Truck salesman Tommy Carroll got a big thumbs-up from this customer. “The support we get from Tommy and his colleagues in Basingstoke is second-to-none. This is the 50th truck I’ve bought from him and he always gives us a good deal,” said Robert Collard.

A family-run firm, Robert is introducing his young sons to the business with personalised plates for nine-year-old Jordan and 13-year-old Ricky going on the two new FMs.