[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A loyal Volvo Trucks and Volvo Construction Equipment customer, Collins Earthworks of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, has taken delivery of its first 8×4 Volvo tractor unit to join a fleet of Volvo FH tractor units that operate permanently on heavy haulage works.

Collins Earthworks’ new flagship is an FH16-750 Globetrotter XL tractor unit and in addition to the ATO 3512F I-Shift Crawler gearbox’s Ultra Low and Crawler gears, the pusher Tridem prime chassis mover features Volvo’s unique Dynamic Steering system and a load indicator.

Additional Volvo factory option packages include Drive plus+ and FH Construction Visibility. Volvo’s ‘Sturdy Front’ towing device opposes the 35 tonne, double hub reduction, rear bogie design at the FH16-750’s business end. Inside the Globetrotter XL cab, are twin bunks, satellite navigation and leather seats.

Supplied by Kevan Morris, Truck Sales Executive at Hartshorne Motor Services Ltd, the prime mover was ordered immediately after the performance of a similarly specified Volvo demonstrator. “We were gifted, or should I say wrangled, the demonstration vehicle for a day, then two months later we used it for a full fortnight. That really sold the big Volvo to us and this newcomer won’t be the last FH16-750 8×4 tractor unit we have,” enthuses Matt Smith, Low Loader Manager at Collins Earthworks.

Aftermarket specialists, Estepe, provided some extra chassis optimisation input with additional lockers, a fuel tank, catwalk and pull-out step. Collins Earthworks also specified Xenon headlights and LED work lights in addition to POPP side deflectors in single solid colour. In parallel with the remainder of the company’s Volvo heavy haulers, extra light bars are fitted and the firm’s contrasting blue additional paintwork was applied by Lant Lane Ltd in Matlock. As Matt notes “Ollie at Lant Lane Ltd. does an exceptional job for us. My Boss reckons the trucks are a superb rolling advertisement for the company.”

Hartshorne Motor Services Ltd in Alfreton is Collins Earthworks’ local Volvo Truck dealerpoint. “We enjoy brilliant service levels from Hartshorne,” Matt declares. “I’ve known Service Manager, Richard Williams, on a personal level for many years and our working partnership is first class. We use out of hours servicing to maximise operational and profitability levels, with the tractor units hauling low loaders usually serviced on Friday afternoons, making them ready for work on Saturday mornings.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][features_list features_title=”Please see below the full feature (all 18 pages) as published in Issue 15!” feature_display_type=”features_list” features_amount_list=”4″][/vc_column][/vc_row]