

Kelly Plant Hire has become the first operator in the UK to put the new Volvo FM into operation as a road sweeper. The Redditch-based, FORS Gold-accredited operator has taken delivery of three FM 380 Globetrotter 4x2 rigids riding on rear air-suspension and mounted with Back to Black rear suction sweeper bodywork, from The Bucher Group.
The new FMs made their working debut at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone where Kelly Plant Hire had six sweepers to support the event.
Supplied by Volvo Truck and Bus Centre South & East’s Coventry depot, the new model FMs have been built on a 4,300mm wheelbase and have a full width rear suction vacuum facility and ultra-high-pressure jets.
Shaun Kelly, MD of Kelly Plant Hire, said: “We love having Volvos on the fleet and we’re excited to be getting some of the first of these new models in the country. You never have an unhappy driver if you give them the keys to a Volvo; our team love them, and these new trucks look absolutely fantastic in our livery and are loaded with kit.”
The trucks will predominantly be used to support major infrastructure development projects across the UK, as well as handling specialist jobs such as motorsport and airport work as required.
Kelly added: “Being able to deliver a deep clean in one pass is a huge advantage for our business. Race circuits and airports will often require an intensive clean to be conducted within a short window, which suits these rear-suction machines perfectly.”