Agriwork's Volvo FH16-700 beats a Bentley

Bracknell-based excavator hire and groundworks specialists Agriwork, have added a top-spec Volvo FH16-700 from Volvo Truck and Bus Centre London to their fleet and the company’s boss admits he’s treated himself and ticked all the options on the big Volvo - instead of buying himself a Bentley!

Agriwork’s owner, John Edwards, admits he has really ‘gone to town’ with the spec for the new 6x4 tractor unit, fitting bespoke alloy fuel and hydraulic tanks, made-to-measure checker plate catwalks, alloy wheels, special chassis paint and a ‘fully-loaded’, lacquered ‘Globetrotter XL’ cab.

“We’ve got a few old trucks and a number of specialised trailers on the fleet, but I decided to treat myself to a new truck and go for the very best I could,” said John. He added, “Our main business is excavator hire, but we do a variety of groundwork and site preparation contracts including the pole planting for the lighting festoons at major music festivals like Download, Latitude, the Big Chill and the Reading Festival.”

The Volvo in-line six-cylinder 16-litre engine delivers a massive flood of power, with 700 horsepower and 3,150 Nm of torque on tap and it’s all kept under full control with the I-Shift automated ‘box and the VEB+ Volvo Engine Brake.

John’s specialised fleet includes a step frame low-loader for excavator delivery, a bulk tipping trailer, flat timber trailer and an ejector for hardcore and soil. They are put to work on projects as diverse as land drainage, site clearance, equestrian ménages, car parks and swimming pools.

The new FH16-700 includes Volvo’s I-Shift automated transmission as standard and although it has only been on the road with Agriwork for a few weeks, John is convinced he’s made the right choice. He said, “I did consider a Bentley, but this way I can be pampered in luxury all day at work in the Volvo, instead of just on my way home.”