Welsh timber haulier takes UK’s first Volvo FMX tractor unit
Hauling timber out of the woods is known to be notoriously tough on equipment. So, what better truck to take on the onerous daily grind and off-road duties than a new heavy-duty Volvo FMX tractor unit?
Owner David Wood admits that he was initially unaware that the FMX - which was supplied by Volvo Dealer Mansel Davies at Llanfyrnach, Pembrokeshire - was available as a tractor unit. “I had seen the advertisements for six- and eight-wheel tippers, but had no idea they offered a tractor unit too,” he said.
Configured as a 6x2 tag-axle in order to keep the tare weight as low as possible, the first FMX tractor unit operating in the UK features a 13-litre 500-hp diesel, I-Shift fully-automated gearbox and Globetrotter cab. In addition, a roof-mounted light bar and spotlights ensure that there is adequate lighting even on the darkest forest tracks.
The off-road capability of the FMX is considered outstanding by its owner: “All in all, it’s coping very well. There’s plenty of horses, the I-Shift gearbox is excellent and the traction is surprisingly good. I am very impressed so far,” commented David Wood.
Operated in conjunction with a three-axle Dennison skeletal logging semi-trailer, equipped with sliding bolsters and a front-mounted Epsilon log loader, the FMX combination can take a net payload of 25-tonnes.
Much of the haulage is carried out within the forests South and West Wales with the timber often destined for the BSW Mill at Newbridge-on-Wye, not far from the operator’s home base in Llandovery.
“I have always had good service from my Volvo dealer - Mansel Davies - both as a driver, when I worked there as an employee, and when I had an FH-460,” reported David; happily, adding that he had ‘a lot of trust in the boys there.’
“I also have a great deal of confidence in the reliability of Volvo trucks, which is important in this type of work, and the FMX has certainly boosted that confidence,” he concluded.
For more information, visit volvotrucks.com.
