Two new Volvo FH16 650s join Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage's fleet

Commercial Motor
October 25, 2024

Plated at a gross combination weight of 120-tonnes, Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage has taken delivery of two new Volvo FH16 650 6x4 tractor units. The trucks replace two older units from a rival manufacturer to work on the company’s cross-channel delivery jobs moving plant equipment to and from construction sites. 

Supplied by Damian Kerin, new sales executive at Dennison Commercials, the vehicles feature the Volvo D16K engine with 650hp and peak torque of 3,150Nm. The FH16s will be paired with multi-axle step frame low loader trailers. Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage anticipate the trucks will cover around 95,000km annually. 

Scott Donnell, transport manager at Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage, said: “Traditionally we have been a one manufacturer fleet, but we opted to go for something different this time and, so far, we are very pleased with that decision. The main reason was the competitive pricing and the fact that Volvo could offer us the exact specification we were looking for in regards to weight. 

"Most of our loads are crushers and screeners, which are usually between 50 to 60 tonnes. So, we are over 90 tonnes gross but we would never be up at 150 tonnes – the two options we had from our usual manufacturer. We have 18 trucks in total, and only had the one Volvo before, but that has always performed very well and never let us down.”

To reduce clutch wear, Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage specified two extra gears, crawler and ultra-low crawler gears. As standard, the trucks are fitted with 12-speed I-Shift transmissions which take into account things like speed and weight to optimise gear shifts. 

Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage opted for Globetrotter XL cabs with the Drive+ package which adds electronic air conditioning, dual arm rests and adjustable steering wheel with neck tilt. The cabs also feature extra storage, two bottle holders, a cab parking heater and a 33-litre fridge/freezer. 

Donnell added: “The level of service from Damian and the team at Dennison Commercials has been firstclass, you couldn’t ask for more. The drivers are very happy with their new tools as well.”

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