Plant hire firm adds heavy Volvo FH16 to fleet

HJB Plant Hire has replaced its 2017 Volvo FH16 with a new FH16 750 8x4 tractor unit. Plated at up to 180-tonne, the vehicle was supplied by Damian Kerin, new sales executive at Dennison Commercials. The Northern Irish firm will pair the FH16 with a five-axle Faymonville low loader trailer with a beavertail ramp. 

Gareth Dugan, transport manager, HJB Plant Hire, said: “Our business success depends on having the right equipment for the job, and that extends to our choice of trucks. The Volvo FH 750 ticks all the boxes – it's a powerful, reliable workhorse which our chosen driver enjoys working in. The combination of performance and driver comfort made it the perfect choice for our fleet upgrade.

“The competitive pricing was also attractive, but ultimately it was Volvo’s reputation for quality that sealed the deal. Our previous experience with Volvo equipment has always been positive, so we were confident in our decision.”

The FH16 has a Euro-6 compliant engine with 750hp and peak torque of 3,550Nm. Since the vehicle will be used to move heavy plant machinery, it’s also equipped with crawler and ultra-low crawler gears to reduce clutch wear. HJB also specified Volvo dynamic steering which can reduce driver steering force by up to 85%. 

Inside, the Globetrotter XL cab has the Drive+ package with side sun visors, air conditioning, and electrically operated sun blind. A two person Living+ package adds two bottle holders, a 33-litre fridge/freezer, 1.8kW cab parking heater, DAB radio, leather upholstery and a heated, ventilated and suspended driver’s seat.

Dugan said:  “Our driver says comfort and the overall driving experience are superior in every way compared to his previous FH16, which had already set a high bar! He spends long days in the cab, often covering more than 1,500 km per week completing demanding work, so having a comfortable and well-equipped working environment makes a significant difference. The cab specification we chose ensures he has everything needed for those longer days.”

HJB opted for the Volvo gold repair and maintenance. Covering around 80,000km annually across the UK and Ireland, the truck is expected to stay on fleet for between three to five years.