Thomas Hardie Commercials Ltd

MK Plant Transport goes green with a new flagship Volvo FH16-650 8X4 Heavy Haulage Tractor Unit

Manchester-based low loader hire specialists, MK Plant Transport has put a new Volvo FH16-650 tractor unit into service. The high specification 8x4 chassis, supplied by Pete Schofield, Customer Solutions Manager at Thomas Hardie Commercials Ltd., will be used for haulage assignments up to 170 tonnes.
MK Plant Transport goes green with a new flagship Volvo FH16-650 8X4 Heavy Haulage Tractor Unit
Manchester-based low loader hire specialists, MK Plant Transport has put a new Volvo FH16-650 tractor unit into service. The high specification 8x4 chassis will be used for haulage assignments up to 170 tonnes

The new FH16 features a Globetrotter Cab above Volvo’s D16K engine producing 650hp, which is Volvo’s second top power offering in its 16-litre, straight six engine range and is complemented by a maximum torque figure of 3150Nm, which is available between 950 and 1,450rpm. The rear air suspension 8x4 pusher Tag Tridem tractor unit is also fitted with Volvo’s unique I-Shift Crawler gearbox that includes ultra-low ratio forward and reverse gears. Rounding off the powertrain is double hub reduction. Finally, the whole unit is finished in an unusual Kryptonite Green colour and is - to date - the largest capacity Volvo truck operated by MK Plant Transport.

“Our usual livery is predominately black with green accents, so we swopped that combination around for this new flagship,” notes Nick Malpus, owner at MK Plant Transport.

He adds, “Our current 150 tonne FH is a popular vehicle with our customers and is constantly in demand, so the new 170 tonne FH16-650 will easily take the strain. The new truck had people talking, even before it was put on the road!”

Supplied with a five-year Volvo Service Contract, which will be carried out by Thomas Hardie Commercials Ltd in Trafford Park, Manchester the FH16-650 has a Jost 38C sliding fifth wheel, gearbox retarder and an 860-litre factory fuel tank fitted behind the cab.

Milnthorpe-based, Burrow Fabrications manufactured a host of after-fit accessories for the new Volvo arrival including custom toolboxes, chassis side skirts and in-fills, extra lights and a catwalk, in addition to colour coded paintwork for several panels and components.

Inside the cab, the driver will appreciate Volvo’s Drive Plus and Media Packages and, in addition to heated and vented leather seats, it also has a captain’s passenger seat on air. The Globetrotter Cab also comes with a fridge, microwave oven and TV preparation.

“The flexibility and capacity offered by the new Volvo FH16-650 will reduce the use of jeep dollies on our two low bed trailers,” Nick informs adding, “We are looking to order a new trailer in 2019 and we’ve streamlined the fleet back to four Volvo FH tractor units, which are supported by two pick-up trucks hauling plant trailers. The latter vehicles are creating new income streams. However, hand on heart, I can say we’ve had no problems with our Volvo trucks. Our drivers love them and they can’t fault the FHs.”

A relatively new firm in Northern England’s heavy haulage sphere, MK Plant Transport is carving a hard won reputation in a highly competitive arena. From its base in Trafford Park, the company provides a high quality haulage and distribution service throughout the United Kingdom and Europe.

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For more information, please contact :

Martin Tomlinson, Head of Media, Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland
Mobile: +44 (0) 7775 938063
E-mail: martin.tomlinson@volvo.com