United Utilities add Volvo truck to their fleet

The Environmental Services Department at United Utilities have added their first Volvo truck - an FH12, 8x4, fitted with a ‘DISAB’ Centurion LN 200 high tip vacuum unit - to their fleet of over 80 vehicles.

As the North West’s water and waste water company, United Utilities has purchased the impressive vehicle to carry out the most challenging of tasks. Plated for 32 GCW operation, the machine has the ability to vacuum grime, sludge and other materials to depths of over 50 metres. It will be used to carry out a range of maintenance and preventative work at more than 600 wastewater treatment works operated by the company across the North West.

United Utilities specified the Volvo FH with the automated manual I-Shift gearbox because, as Regional Unit Manager, Adrian Roberts explained, "We tested the whole of the market for a robust, reliable machine." He added that, "due to the nature of our business, low speed, loaded manoeuvring, the I-Shift option was ideal, reducing the impact of general wear and tear on the gearbox."

As the vehicle has been operating for a few months now the driver’s at United Utilities have had sufficient time to test drive the vehicle. Adrian stated that, "Overall our drivers are very pleased with the Volvo’s performance." He added that, "As our drivers spend a lot of their time in the vehicles they have also been impressed with the amount of cab space the Globetrotter cab has."

The truck was purchased from Thomas Hardie Commercials in Wigan. Adrian stated that, "Their Fleet Sales Manager, David Greenwood, has made buying a Volvo truck an easy and enjoyable experience, nothing has been too much trouble for him."