Hako Machines has added an 18-tonne (19.8-U.S.-ton) medium-duty Volvo FL 4x2 rigid truck to its fleet of demonstration and delivery vehicles. The purchase wasn’t that surprising, considering that the Northamptonshire firm (which is a leading supplier of ride-on and pedestrian cleaning scrubber drivers, sweepers, and other machines) operates an all-Volvo fleet.
“Volvo is our manufacturer of choice. We also have two FMs and an FE in the fleet as well,” says Adam Bennett, Hako Machines technical support and health and safety manager. “It’s a high-quality brand that aligns well with our business, and we have very little downtime on our existing trucks, which is obviously a big plus for us.”
A Lift Up
Hako Machines, a subsidiary of Hako Group, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of floor cleaning and grounds maintenance equipment, expects to drive the FL about 60,000 kilometres (37,300 miles) annually making customer deliveries across the UK. Supplied by Volvo Truck and Bus Centre South & East, the truck features a box body from Kurt Hobbs Coachworks and tail lift and stabiliser legs from Dhollandia.
“This new truck actually replaces a van,” Bennett says. “We decided to upgrade, as we have some bigger machines coming in that we need to get out to our customers, so the truck was the better option for us. On previous trucks we have used ramps to get the machines in and out, but the tail lift is far better for ground clearance. We’re very pleased with how it’s turned out.”
Perfect For City Deliveries
Volvo says the FL is an ultra-agile and highly dependable option that’s perfect for city deliveries. Hako Machine’s FL uses Volvo’s six-speed I-Sync automated transmission, designed to simplify city driving while also lowering fuel consumption. Hako Machine’s FL also has an additional lower-side passenger-door window to enhance driver visibility and safety as well as full Direct Vision Standard Safe Scheme kit for central London deliveries.
Hako Machines configured the truck with a six-cylinder Volvo D8K engine delivering 250 horsepower (184 kilowatts) of maximum power and 950 newton-metres (700 pounds-foot) of torque. It also includes Volvo’s Drive Package for the cab, which provides an enhanced driver workspace complete with air conditioning and cruise control.
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Source: Volvo