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Truck and Track June/July 2017 32
CONTRACTS & ORDERS – HIGHLIGHTS
Nelson Car Transport of Kinross, Perthshire, has chosen another
new Volvo FM-500 6x2 rigid car transporter, after the excellent
performance to date of a similar vehicle purchased Autumn
2016. The latest arrival, from Volvo Truck and Bus North &
Scotland Glasgow West, features Volvo’s factory-fitted ‘Lite’
pusher-axle, which helps to increase payload figures on a wide
number of chassis applications.
Founded 15 year ago by brothers Chris,
Andrew and Scott Nelson, Nelson Car
Transport nowoperates a total of four Volvo
trucks in its five-strong fleet dedicated to
the carriage of new and used cars across
the UK.
The company opted for Volvo’s low sleeper
cab, with steel safety cage design, in
addition to the ‘Lite’ fixed pusher-axle,
which comes fitted with 17.5in wheels and
245/70 tyres.
The 13-litre D13K engine was specified,
and Chris Nelson reports: “It is well on top
of operations with a full load of 11 cars, and
you don’t notice many hills.” Behind this
power plant is Volvo’s I-Shift automated
gearbox, with dash-mounted four button
gear selection.
Further transmission options include a
Volvo factory-fitted PTO and rear drive axle
ratio of 2.64:1. The FM’s low-roof sleeper cab permits fitment of
Transport Engineering bodywork, with four cars being carried on
the 3900mmwheelbase 6x2 rigid. A close-coupled trailer from the
same manufacturer is attached by a low slung drawbar coupling.
One of the UK’s first reduced-height
Mercedes-Benz Arocs eight-wheelers
is now in service with bulk haulage
specialist R Adams & Sons of Henley-in-
Arden, Warks. In business since 1955, R
Adams & Sons runs 45 trucks of various
marques, as well as a dedicated owner-
driver fleet. The company moves some
24,000 tonnes of material every week,
much of it aggregates and cereals,
although its new Arocs 3240 has been
specified primarily for muckaway work.
Power comes from the 290 kW (394 HP)
version of the advanced, 10.7-litre OM470
LA straight-six. This engine, which is also
available with outputs of 315 kW (428 HP),
265 kW (360 HP) and 240 kW (326 HP),
can now be specified with a 320mm high
engine tunnel.
Customers for the 8x4 Arocs construction
chassis have previously chosen between
cabs with flat floors or 170mm tunnels.
The new variant with 320mm tunnel sits
6in lower than its established stablemate
with 170mm tunnel, which makes life
easier for the driver to maintain three
points of contact when climbing up into or
down from the cab.
Reduced fatigue – the three steps are more closely spaced – and a
14% improvement in direct vision contribute to enhanced safety,
while for some operators, such as those needing to access batching
plants, the lower roof height also offers operational advantages.
Most of R Adams & Sons’ trucks are tractor units which pull bulk
tipping trailers. The line-up includes six Mercedes-Benz Actros, one
a flagship 2563 model with GigaSpace cab and 460 kW (625 HP)
engine purchased in 2015 to mark its 60th anniversary.
The Arocs, however, is the company’s first rigid truck of the
Mercedes-Benz marque. It has a ClassicSpace M-cab and is fitted
with steel Boweld tipping body, providing a 19,400 kg payload
capacity. Supplier Midlands Truck & Van inspects and services all
the Mercedes-Benz vehicles under r&m contracts at its Coventry
workshop.
Lower roof height beneficial on Arocs tipper
How to carry 11 cars up & down hills with ease
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