Thomas Hardie Commercials has supplied the first Volvo FH 540 recovery vehicle with Falkom bodywork in the UK to Manchester-based First Point Commercials.
Its 8x4 chassis with Globetrotter cab, 13-litre engine and I-shift transmission was configured to suit the FAW 25.000 recovery bodywork, custom-designed and manufactured at the the Netherlands-based Falkom factory. The top-beam recovery equipment has a 25-tonne lift capacity, lifting 10 tonnes at its full reach of 4.5 metres.
It is also fitted with two 24-tonne winches. Front-steer axles are rated at nine tonnes each and the bogie comprises air-suspended, double-drive, hub-reduction axles rated at 26 tonnes.
The 8-wheeler is plated for operation at up to 80 tonnes under STGO CAT2 rules and features an oil-cooled Volvo gearbox retarder. It is fitted with Volvo's heavy-duty front bumper and can lift and tow a fully laden 44-tonne artic.
First Point Commercials owner Rob Woolley said: “Specifying the gearbox retarder was important as it enables smooth control when recovering vehicles. Although we did look at other makes, we decided to specify the Volvo FH 8x4 chassis for this new recovery vehicle because of our excellent ongoing experience with operating Volvo trucks on our rental fleet.
“Thomas Hardie Commercials at Trafford Park have always done a great job of looking after us in terms of both sales and after sales service and parts.”
