Atherton-based Maxilead Metals has taken delivery of a new Volvo FH 500 6×2 tractor unit, decked out in eye-catching metallic silver and yellow livery. The new arrival continues the firm’s 20-year relationship with the Swedish manufacturer.
Supplied by Paul McNicholas, Customer Solutions Manager at Thomas Hardie Commercials, the Volvo FH arrives as a fleet addition taking the scrap metal recycling business up to a total of 11 commercial vehicles.
Tom Clay, Managing Director at Maxilead Metals, says: “We’ve run many Volvos across the last two decades, and, as a result, we’ve become well accustomed to the high reliability and driving performance its products deliver day-in, day-out.
“Our drivers love the comfort inside the cabs, as well as the overall Volvo aesthetic too. We’re firm believers that Volvo is comfortably the best truck for our industry.”
The new Volvo FH is powered by a Euro-VI complaint D13K Step E engine, producing 500 hp and a peak torque of 2,500 Nm, and is driven by Volvo’s popular automated 12-speed I-Shift transmission, which constantly evaluates information about speed, weight, road grade and torque demand to enable perfectly timed gearshifts.
The truck’s spacious Globetrotter cab is fitted with a Living+ package, featuring a premium 50mm mattress topper and a reclining bunk. Maxilead Metals has also opted for 245 litres of rear cab upper storage and a 33-litre under bunk-mounted fridge/freezer.
Volvo’s Drive+ package further enhances the in-cab experience, adding fully electronic air conditioning with sun, mist, and air quality sensors with carbon filter, an adjustable steering wheel with neck-tilt and an electrically operated fabric interior sun visor. Other features include a heated and suspended driver’s seat with dual armrests and leather upholstery.
Volvo’s Media package with navigation adds DAB radio and a dynamic 12-inch high-resolution instrument cluster with an accompanying secondary colour information display, completing a comfortable and premium driving environment.
To increase safety, the truck is also fitted with a Visibility+ package, adding LED headlamps which automatically adjust to ambient light conditions, electrically heated and operated rear view mirrors and rain sensing windscreen wipers to provide the driver with a crystal-clear view of the road.
The driving experience is further benefitted by the presence of Volvo’s I-See Predictive Cruise Control – which analyses and adapts to gradients in the road ahead – Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning systems.
Maxilead Metals’ new truck is backed by a comprehensive five-year Volvo Gold Contract which delivers full cost control, worry-free ownership, and maximum uptime. The customer also has an order placed for a Volvo FL 420 rigid skiploader, due for delivery shortly.
With more than 35 years of experience in the scrap metal recycling sector, Maxilead’s latest Volvo FH is based at the company’s brand-new state-of-the-art depot in Atherton.
Paired with a tipper trailer from Colson Trailers, the truck will operate five to six days a week covering around 40,000 miles annually, transporting bulk scrap materials to customers across the North West.
