These pages are full of used 4×2 trucks for sale. That means that all of the trucks on these pages have just two axles. The maximum gross vehicle weight for these trucks is 18 tonnes. This is usually made up of a 10-tonne rear axle and an 8-tonne front axle. The most common sized 4×2 truck is the 7.5 tonner (as in image below), but an increasing number of businesses are opting for heavier 4×2 rigids for larger payloads. How does that work with a 4×2 tractor unit? They still have a gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes as they only have 2 axles, but when towing a trailer the train weight can be much higher than this. The ‘Gross Train Weight’ (GTW) or Gross Combined Weight (GCW) is the maximum legal weight of the truck, trailer and load combined. With a 3-axle semi-trailer and a it is possible to have a 4×2 tractor unit with a GTW of 40 tonnes in the UK for normal operation.
This covers everything from the smallest van to an 18-tonne, 30ft box truck. If it has two axles (and is not a all wheel drive) then it’s a 4×2. Now it’s easy to see where we get the term 4×4!
In terms of duty cycles, skiploaders are not so different to a typical municipal vehicle. This makes them low hanging fruit as far as electrification is concerned. Relatively short distances from base mean that an operator should be able to manage a day’s work on a single charge and, if not, will be back at base for charging to take place. These are some reasons why Kirkby Skips Ltd has taken the huge step in buying five new Volvo FE Electric 4x2 rigids which represent a quarter of the total fleet. The zero-tailpipe emission trucks replace five older diesel units…
Reed Boardall has turned to Volvo Trucks for two new 42-tonne FM Electric 4x2 tractor units, marking the customer’s latest step in decarbonising its transport operations with alternative fuel products from the Swedish manufacturer. Joining an all Volvo-supplied 200-strong commercial vehicle fleet – of which a quarter already consists of gas-powered trucks – the FM Electrics will work together to create a 24/7 zero-tailpipe emission operation. After extensive route planning and consideration of the best utilisation of the trucks, they have been assigned to a local collection shuttle, bringing stock in to store at Reed Boardall’s Boroughbridge site. Stevland Town,…
DAF Trucks has completed the 2024 edition of the EV Rally; a five-day, 1400-mile electric vehicle driving event taking in an ‘A-to-Z’ tour of locations across the UK, and featuring over 50 EVs from various manufacturers, including passenger cars, vans and trucks. The company’s 19-tonne GVW DAF LF Electric had already taken part in last year’s EV Rally. The vehicle is also fresh from the recent Battery Electric Truck Trial (BETT) – an 18-month fact-finding study into the efficacy of EVs in operation – where 20 DAF LF Electrics entered service with a range of public bodies including the NHS…
Electric tractor units are a relatively straightforward replacement for diesel trucks if the distances involved are no more than ten miles per journey. With payloads close to matching a 44 tonne 6x2 diesel, Knowles Logistics three new Volvo FM Electric 42 tonne 4x2 tractor units fit the bill perfectly. They will operate with tri-axle curtainside trailers on a short-shunt operation for longstanding customer and international food and drink group Princes Limited. Solar Power Serving as direct replacements for diesel vehicles, the FM Electrics will run on 100 per cent clean energy – 15 per cent of which is generated via…
South-East based Lenham Storage has put its first zero-tailpipe emission trucks into operation, having taken delivery of two new Volvo FM Electric 4x2 tractor units. The addition of the electric trucks marks the next step on the road for the forward-thinking, family-owned business’ sustainability drive. Supplied by Steve Moon, Truck Sales Director at MC Truck & Bus, the new additions join the fleet following a successful trial with a demonstrator vehicle, which highlighted how electric-powered trucks could fit seamlessly into Lenham Storage’s operations in and around London. Andrew Fulcher, Transport Operations Director at Lenham Storage, says: “As a business, we…