A five hundred horsepower truck would usually be seen underneath a tri-axle semi-trailer. Not got South West family business, F.G. Bond & Son. The company has taken delivery of a new Volvo FH 500 Dual Clutch 6×2 rigid with the 13-litre D13K rated at 500hp, citing the truck’s impressive manoeuvrability and versatility as key to winning this latest order.
The 26-tonner, fitted with a drawbar coupling to tow the tri-axle drawbar trailer, is a direct replacement for an older generation FH, joins the firm’s 14-strong fleet and marks the first new Volvo for the Chippenham-based business in five years.
Supplied by Truck and Bus Wales and West, it is built on a 4,900mm wheelbase and is fitted with a flatbed body, supplied by TWR Commercial Bodybuilders, with a rear-mounted remote-control Atlas 135.2 crane.
Volvo Tops the Competition
Edward Bond, Transport Manager at F.G. Bond & Son, says: “We considered two other manufacturers for this order, but after careful consideration, Volvo won it for us. My father Rodney, who has been with the business since 1966, was also pushing for us to get another Volvo in the fleet and it hasn’t disappointed.
“Since the minute I got in touch with Ernest McGregor at our local dealer, the customer service we have received has been outstanding. They turned around our enquiry in record time, coming back to us with a fully costed proposal which met every requirement we’d set.”
Dynamic Steering
The truck has been specified with Volvo Dynamic Steering, an ultra-responsive steering system designed to lessen driver steering force by up to 85%, helping increase road safety and reduce driver fatigue. The system combines conventional hydraulic power steering with an electric motor that’s fitted to the steering gear, offering perfect stability and control at all speeds.
“We operate in a range of different conditions and our customers have sites that vary from small urban locations up to big housing developments, so we needed a truck offering the best manoeuvrability. This is also the first Volvo we’ve had with Dynamic Steering and Dual Clutch, and it’s a real game-changer,” explains Bond. “We are beyond happy with the full package that Volvo has provided.”
This latest FH, which sports the company’s traditional racing green livery, will be in operation five days a week transporting predominantly concrete floor beams across the South West and expected to clock up around 120,000km per year.
Also contributing to the truck’s huge specification is Volvo’s Long Haul Fuel Package, Driving Plus Package, Single Bed Resting Package, Media Package and a three-year subscription to the Dynafleet fleet management system. Drivers also benefit from an FH sleeper cab featuring leather seats and a lower bunk with pocket sprung mattress, for comfortable overnight accommodation – and a generous 33-litre under bunk fridge/freezer.
Founded in 1934, F.G. Bond & Son is a family-run haulage and vehicle repair business serving the South West. The company has earned a vast collection of silverware from truck shows over more than 30 years, having first attended Truckfest at Shepton Mallet in 1989.
