Drinks logistics provider Tradeteam has bought 22 6×2 Volvo FM12 tractor units. High on Tradeteam’s list of priorities was fuel performance and, after extensive trials with a demonstrator, it was getting 8.4mpg compared to the 8mpg average of other trucks at the depot concerned.
The improved performance was achieved by ensuring the specification of the truck was suited to the task. The trucks work on a double-shift operation and can do 256,000km (160,000 miles) per annum. As a result, Tradeteam had to have a truck specifically geared towards providing exceptional fuel performance on this type of work.
The 460bhp trucks feature Volvo’s I-Shift automatic gearbox and Eco Power software, which provides 500bhp performance in top gear. This allows for good journey times and cruising speed, as well as a long-haul set up with a diff ratio of 2.85.
The addition of roof and side deflectors and a fixed fifth-wheel coupling – preventing arbitrary adjustments to the cab to kingpin dimension and minimal cab gap – were also designed to cut fuel consumption.
