1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160 
New Volvo F gets dirty
Page 17
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Eby Colin Barnett
In last week's launch story of Volvo's latest FM line-up, we looked mainly from the viewpoint of the on-highway haulier. This week we are taking a closer look at what's in it for the construction industry.
Construction FMs are almost a range within a range and bring to the sector a level of choice previously only available on FH premium tractive untts—the FM low really can be whatever you Nant it to be. The choice is not ust limited to rigids, ether, as a selection of tractors optimised 'or off-road operation testify.
Drivel ines in the construction '10 are the same as in the highNay trucks, with four versions of he new nine-litre engine giving • atings from 260 to 380hp and hree 12-litre units covering 340 420hp. Seven gearbox options should cover most needs and include manual and automated changes, as well as the torque converter and epicyclic Powertronic for the toughest applications where drive must be maintained. A range of PTO options can be specified, including the new high-output rear-mounted unit on the nine-litre engine.
The chassis on both rigids and tractors is available in a 1,200mm X-high version suitable for fairly extreme operations. Moving down, there are the 1,000mm High and 900mm Medium height versions, while even lower models are also available.
While most permutations of driven axles are available, it's the 6x4 and 8x4 rigid versions that will be of most interest to the UK market, although 4x2 and 4x4 models will no doubt also have their appeal, particularly with local authorities. Artic users have the choice of two or three axles, with as many driven as you wish, and tag or pusher 6x2s—only the all-wheeldrivers get the X-high chassis, though.
Air or steel suspended axles come in nine varieties that include solos with normal height single reduction or high ground clearance hub reduction, and tandem bogies with the same choices. For mainly highway work, the 21-tonne bogie will be the item of choice; there is a 26tonner for tougher work, albeit with a 350-400kg weight penalty Design ratings of the straight beam front axle range from 6.7 to 16.0 tonnes. The approach angle is 26° while the departure angle is as much as 55 ° depending on rear overhang, The new extended day cab is likely to be popular, with its 150mm of extra space behind the seats giving a useful amount of storage without unduly compromising useable body length. If you do need to get out more often, you can specify one of the FM's three sleeper cab options. Various trim levels include vinyl seating for seriously mucky work. Other construction-specific items include a steel skin for the front under-run protection bumper, break-back lower steps and a sump guard.