Six new Volvo FH Lite tractor units help Alfred Hymas power ahead

Six new Volvo FH Lite tractor units help Alfred Hymas power ahead
Birstall

Recent winners of the prestigious ‘Tipper Operator of the Year 2019’ award, Alfred Hymas Ltd of Burton Leonard, near Harrogate, has taken delivery of six new Volvo FH tractor units. The vehicles are also the first ever taken on contract hire by the North Yorkshire based company, for evaluation of procurement options.

“Overall reliability is the main factor for us choosing Volvo Trucks,” declares Stewart Hymas, Managing Director at Alfred Hymas Ltd., adding, “However fuel consumption, payload factors and driver acceptance are also important.”

Volvo Trucks have a dominating presence in this 76-vehicle fleet and the company have long links with the manufacturer, stretching back to its F86 models of the early 1970s. This batch, supplied by Steve Hinde, Area Sales Manager at Crossroads Truck and Bus Limited, Boroughbridge are all FH 6×2 Lite Pusher Axle tractor units, powered by Volvo’s D13K engine rated at 460hp. Secondary braking is provided by Volvo’s Engine Brake (VEB) with 375kW on tap.

Globetrotter Cabs were also specified along with Volvo’s new I-See predictive cruise control system that helps maximise the trucks’ kinetic energy, whilst saving fuel and reducing CO2 levels. In addition to Volvo’s new lightweight drive axle, all six FHs are equipped with alloy air tanks and alloy wheels to reduce weight and improve payload.

“The new trucks also represent a change in procurement as they are the first vehicles in the company’s 108-year history to be sourced on a contract hire agreement. We currently purchase a combination of new and used trucks for long distance and local works respectively,” informs Robert Hymas, Director at Alfred Hymas Ltd.

The company has its own workshops, staffed 24/7- that cater for servicing and repairs. However, in another change to established policies, the new Volvo FH’s are on a full five-year Volvo Gold Service contract. As Robert explains, “Heavy trucks are becoming more and more electronically complex and we also need something to benchmark our current maintenance set up with. It’s far too early to comment yet on whether the mix of contract hire and service contract packages will be advantageous to our business, but we’ll have a clearer picture by the end of year one.”

The company fits a range of aftermarket equipment onto its vehicles, as part of its high fleet specification to comply with FORS Silver accreditation. All Alfred Hymas trucks come with hydraulic kits, inclinometers and 360-degree full-time recording camera systems. Sporting a full array of extra warning, strobe and working lights, the six Volvos’ are also equipped with radar detection systems, corner alert audible warnings and full tracking capabilities.

“These extra systems do add on some weight, but the Volvo Lite Pusher Axle package is the main trade-off. We’ve used these small-wheeled axles since the days when Estepe did the conversions. Now of course, it’s a factory fitment and financially a better option,” Stewart concludes.

The six Volvos’ are being used to haul 72 cubic yard tipping trailers and carry both bulk aggregates and agricultural products across the UK. Alfred Hymas Ltd run a mixed marque tipping trailer fleet and the FH Lite tractor units have payload capabilities of between 29 and 30 tonnes, depending on the trailer make coupled.

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Notes for Editors :

Alfred Hymas was established in Burton Leonard, near Harrogate in 1911.
Still family owned and operated, the company is one of the largest bulk hauliers in North Yorkshire.
Alfred Hymas Ltd currently operates a fleet of 76 trucks and around 90 trailers.
The company was recently awarded the accolade of ‘Tipper Operator of the Year 2019.’

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