The availability of the option of a 10-tonne rated front axle sealed the deal for a new, ‘67’ plate Volvo FH16-750 for Uttoxeter, Staffordshire-based operator Punchards Haulage.

The 750hp truck, which joins Punchard’s 15-strong fleet, is a 6×2 twin-wheeled tag-axle tractor unit plated for 44-tonne GCW operation and was supplied by Hartshorne Motor Services Ltd., at Burton-on-Trent. It is fitted with a 60-tonne metre capacity HMF 6020 crane which is used to handle deliveries of construction equipment.

Punchard’s Globetrotter XL-cabbed FH16-750 is also equipped with Volvo’s Load Indicator. This utilises a dashboard display that informs the driver of load distribution with separate readings for weights, axle loads and bogie loads.

The FH16-750 is maintained by Hartshorne on a Volvo Gold Repair & Maintenance contract and will be coupled to Punchard’s new Montracon tri-axle, rear-steer trailer.

The Crossrail compliant company, which has operated Volvo trucks for over 40 years, was one of the first operators to become FORS accredited in 2011 and has held Gold status since 2017.