The drivers raved and the company caved. Glowing recommendations from its drivers and business contacts easily persuaded Huddersfield-based Hanson Logistics to take its first Volvo truck, a new FH 540 Globetrotter XL 6x2 pusher axle tractor unit, and thus far, there are no regrets. Hanson Logistics was established in 1848 as a local horse-drawn haulage business and now serves customers throughout the UK and Europe with transport, warehousing, and distribution. The Millennium Silver Metallic FH 540 is exclusively running in service of the company’s contract with Baerlocher UK, and alternates between hauling chemical products in a WG Tankers power tanker and moving palletised goods in an SDC curtainsider. Provided by Crossroads Truck & Bus in Birstall, the truck is expected to log 100,000 kilometres (62,100 miles) a year during its five-year lease.
“After glowing recommendations from our drivers and contacts at WG Tankers, the move to Volvo was an easy decision,” says Hanson Logistics Operations Director Mark Henighan. “The previous tractor unit we had in this role was proving to be incompatible, so we needed a quality truck that could offer the right solution. I also wanted better dealer support than we were experiencing, and we have certainly got that from the team at Crossroads.”
About The FH 540
Hanson’s new FH 540 Globetrotter XL is equipped with the I-Shift Dual Clutch transmission, which can pre-select the next gear whilst driving with one clutch idling and one engaged. Two input shafts and the arrangement of gearwheels and selecting elements enables two gears to be selected simultaneously. The truck also features Volvo’s Long Haul Fuel package with I-See predictive cruise control and other fuel-saving technologies. The truck is powered by Volvo’s 540-horsepower (397-kilowatt) Euro 6 D13K engine, which generates 2,600 newton-metres (1,917 pounds-foot) of torque between 1,000 and 1,450 rpm.
Safety & Comfort Are Key
A comfortable cab for Hanson Logistics’ drivers was a prime consideration in the FH’s favour. The Globetrotter XL cab provides plenty of room and storage and offers several option packages, including the Drive++ package, Single Bed Living package, and a Media package with navigation. The I-Park Cool overnight air conditioning system provides an optimal temperature for the drivers to sleep, even in hot weather. The cab also has a digital 12-inch high-res instrument display that lets drivers customise the interface to their liking.
Hanson’s FH is equipped with a digital reversing camera and Volvo’s Active Safety package, which includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Emergency Brake Assistance, Lane Changing Support, Driver Alert Support, and Lane Keeping Support to keep its drivers safe on the road. The Visibility package the haulier added provides features such as static cornering lights to improve visibility during sharp turns and other improvements for wet, foggy, or dark conditions.
“The driver says it is an absolute joy to drive, mostly because it feels like it’s driving itself,” Henighan says. “We’re very impressed with the fuel figures, too; early indications show that the initial mpg return is far better than other trucks we have on the fleet. While we knew to expect this, the Volvo hasn’t bedded in yet, so it’s encouraging to see it already having an impact. Looking ahead, we are certainly keen to add more Volvos to our operation.”
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Source: Volvo