Patersons Quarries rates new Volvo FMX tippers

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Transport Engineer  /  June 1, 2016

Five new Volvo FMX 8x4 tippers delivered to Patersons Quarries’ Rigside, South Lanarkshire, depot in April are successfully handling 20-tonne payloads and keeping drivers happy.

“We took drivers off our other make tippers, all of which were registered during 2015,” explains Gordon Carlton, transport manager at this Scottish operator.

“Reaction to the new FMXs was amazing [with] all reporting a noticeable increase in fuel consumption levels, with a truck straight out of the box, and a big difference in cab comfort.”

Carlton says some drivers comment on how relaxed the driving experience is with Volvo’s I-Shift automated gearbox while others are say the aren’t as tired after a full day shift.

“With the current nationwide shortages of experienced professionals, happy drivers are good news to me,” he adds.

All the new FMX trucks were specified with Volvo’s 11-litre, D11K370 370bhp engine driving through the 12-speed I-Shift gearboxes running with Volvo’s distribution and construction range management software.

They all run with Day cabs and were fitted with X-High B-Ride suspension, straight front axles and high mounted, 330 litre fuel tanks for quarry work.

Patersons Quarries fitted Weightlifter lightweight alloy tipper bodies with high sides and three-point contact, as well as Hyva hydraulics and a Dawbarn automatic sheeting system – yielding a kerbside weight of 12.1 tonnes.

Each FMX also has safety access steps a Volvo reversing camera and Smart Witness front facing and vehicle perimeter camera systems.

The new trucks were supplied by Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North & Scotland, Glasgow West and are being operated under full R&M packages.

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