Volvo looks at FS7 six-wheeler
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• Volvo Trucks (Great Britain) hopes to develop a lightweight FS7 six-wheeler tipper chassis using the same cab as its FL6 middleweight and recently launched FS7 distribution tractive unit.
The lightest 6x4 tipper currently offered by Volvo is the FL7 260 powered by the uprated 6.7-litre TD73ES lowemission engine. It pushes out 191kW (260hp) with a peak torque of 1,040Nm (796lbft).
If the smaller middleweight cab was fitted instead of the existing FL cab — used on both the FL7 and the FL10 — Volvo could shave up to 500kg off the kerbweight of the current FL7 260 which tares out at 7,205kg for a 3.79m wheelbase chassis with Volvo's B-ride back bogie and a full fuel tank.
As Volvo already fits the 6.7 litre engine under the small cab
in the FS7 artic there would be little problem in engineering it in a multi-wheeler chassis. Such a vehicle would clearly strengthen Volvo's hand in the multiwheeler market not least among mixer operators who prefer lighter chassis from the likes of Nee° Ford and Leyland Daf. Even operating at higher rigid weights of up to 26 tonnes the smaller cab would provide noticeable weight savings.
Volvo Trucks (Great Britain) general manager Stephen Johnson says an FS7 six-wheeler would give Volvo additional volume in a depressed market. The Swedish truck manufacturer has also looked at a 6x4 FL10 tipper chassis for those operators looking for more power, but Johnson believes that the FS7 lightweight offers more potential and likely to be given a greater priority. However, a launch date has yet to be set.
Following operator demonstrations last year, Volvo is now offering the bonneted NL tipper chassis in the UK, says Johnson, but only for dedicated off-road applications where there is adequate distributor backup.
El Volvo Trucks (Great Britain) has extended the distance limit on its three-year Driveline Cover by more than 40% to 500,000km — provided vehicles are serviced in an authorised Volvo workshop under the manufacturer's latest preventative maintenance programme.
The 500,000km three-year Driveline Cover is believed to be one of the longest offered by any truck manufacturer, at no additional cost.
Following an analysis of servicing and operating data by the Swedish truck importer, the time needed for routine servicing has also been cut by up to 22% (10 hours a year).
Volvo has now introduced revised service schedules for all its models and with the extension of its Driveline Cover the number of eligible trucks in the current Volvo UK truck pare has risen by 20% to more than 90%.