Highways Agency and partners ready for a more efficient winter
Following extensive consultation with project partner companies Volvo Trucks and AEBI Schmidt, the Highways Agency has put its innovative new, performance-proven Volvo FE spreaders into service in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, following an extensive programme of equipment testing.
The new Volvo FE and AEBI Schmidt spreading vehicles meet the exacting technical specifications required by the Highways Agency in terms of performance and reliability and were designed with a minimum life expectancy of seven years.
For performance and accuracy in terms of an even spread of salt, the distinctive orange liveried vehicles use a pre-wet spreading system.
Following Highways Agency research into the accuracy of its new fleet, salt usage has been reduced by up to 25% and the pre-wet system - where the salt is mixed with brine in the spreader’s spinner - saves a further 25% compared to the dry system which it replaces. This reduction in salt use benefits the environment and also helps conserve supplies in the event of a major snow event.
The contract includes in the region of 90 Volvo FEs, of which 47 are equipped with the latest generation of durable, high-technology AEBI Schmidt Stratos spreaders. AEBI Schmidt have worked in close partnership with Volvo Trucks and its Dealer Network to supply the Highways Agency with a fleet of winter service vehicles, which demonstrate ’fleet resilience’ in terms of system and hardware reliability.
Specification of the Volvo Euro-5 FE-340 6x4 rigids includes the Medium cab with an independent cab-heater, Allison World Series 6-speed automatic transmission and a rear-of-engine mounted Volvo PTO. An FMS gateway has also been fitted as preparation for telematics. The winter prepared chassis has a wheelbase of 3.85 metres.
All the Volvo and AEBI Schmidt spreaders are equipped with AEBI Schmidt’s SNK Single Blade Snow Plough. This polymer blade plough is self-supporting and cushioned against vibration by a diagonally braced steel frame. It is easily adjusted for optimal ejection of snow and can be mounted and dismounted in a matter of minutes.
