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The number of Volvo FHI25 on European roads says it
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all, and operators confirm the message: if you're looking for a used long-haul tractor this one ought to be near the top of your shopping list.
hen Volvo launched the FH in 1993 its stylish cab was not enough to make up fbr early concerns over fuel returns. However, further engine development has put that right, and last year a fresh design improved the cab's already slippery aerodynamics and reduced the drag factor a little more.
You can have an FH1z as a 02 or 6x2 tractor with air suspension as an option in both cases. Running on 8o series tyres gives a typical frame height of 1.3m; alternatively, 70 series tyres give a frame height of Lim which allows a slightly higher body volume within the European 4.om height limit. Lowerprofile 295/60 tyres cater for even taller bodies with a frame height ofjust o.95m.
Three-axied tractors come with a singletyred pusher axle that can be raised when running lightly laden; when fully laden air can be dumped to increase traction, The Fl-J12 460 was introduced in 1999 with what was then the most powerful version of the litre engine; since then a 5oohp version has been added to the range. The t6-litre unit g (also a straight-six) starts at 520hp with more power in the pipeline.
The 12-lltre engine's overhead camshaft has 'R allowed Volvo to fit a powerful engine brake developing 380hp of retardation at optimum revs with a weight penalty of just 6kg and at a § fraction of the cost of a transmission retarder. ill Recommended service intervals on the latest 5 engines have been extended by about 20%— the DI2 can typically haul 4o tonnes for 190,000krn between oil changes. Matching a that improvement, the in-house VT 14-speed :$ range-change synchromesh box has been revamped to reduce shifting effort by 50% and clutch effort by 30%. In addition to the 12 forward gears there are two crawler gears.
This year Volvo introduced its I-Shift automatic transmission, based on the same 12-speed box but without synchro. The driver can still change gears manually with a simple movement of the gear lever. This is a better system than Geartronic with smooth, fast changes.
Early FHI2 4605 were specified with Volvo's Z-cam brakes as standard and disc brakes with EBS (Electronic Braking System) D D as an option. This year EBS/discs became standard for tractive units with air suspension but this package remains an option for the heavy haulage 6,4, which is still specified with steel as standard. Also on the options list, initially only for 4x2s, is ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) which is said to improve control on tight bends.
The top-of-the-range XL version of the Globetrotter offers 1.93m of headroom between the seats with 2. rm in the footwells. Standard Globetrotter spec includes twin stowage nets, twin bunks and a night heater; the XL adds a roof sign, non-suspended passenger seat (with fold up squab and sliding seat base), electric cab tilt, electric roof hatch and automatic air-con with the CD trim.
• by BM Brock