Hereford-based Pontrilas Sawmills has ordered seven Volvo FH 500 tractor units with Globetrotter cabs from Truck and Bus Wales and West.
The company, which runs a fleet of 35 trucks, specified the 6x2 tag axle vehicles with 3.2m wheelbases for increased traction on gravel roads and better manoeuvrability on narrow forest tracks. Each comes with the Volvo D13K engine rated at 500hp, 12-speed I-Shift automated gearbox, single bunk, extra storage and the manufacturer's Dynafleet fleet management system.
The trucks, which come with 36-month Volvo Gold Contracts, are expected to average about 120,000km a year delivering timber into the Pontrilas Timber mill in Herefordshire and distributing wood around the UK. Group transport manager Phil Davies said the firm placed the order following a successful trial of an FH demonstrator.
"It produced good fuel consumption figures and the purchase price was also attractive," he said. "The new Volvos will operate across our three main work streams, hauling timber from the forest into our sawmill.
"They will also distribute milled timber products to our customers and be part of the general transport fleet hauling curtainside and flat trailers across the UK. We operate a ‘one driver, one vehicle’ policy which helps keep the trucks to the highest standards inside and out," he added.
The first three trucks were delivered in early July, while the rest will go into service at the start of September.
