I thought it was about time we had a Big Swede on Biglorryblog so Agent Reg has duly obliged by sending me this shot of 'Mountain Crusader' the smart new FH16 Volvo that's just entered service with Lawsons Haulage based in Cockermouth in Cumbria. In fact Agent Reg tells me: "It's their 4th 16-litre Volvo to join the fleet in 16 years--the company has also operated Volvos since 1964." So that makes them one of Volvo's longest serving customers I'd say and what impeccable taste on heavy hitters too.
Indeed director Raymond Lawson tells BLB: “We continue to specify Volvo because it's the best spec on the market for a double-drive tractor. It gives us everything we want – the D16 engine is very reliable and less prone to wear and tear than other trucks. We specified a manual gearbox as this gives us better control when operating at high gross weights and it is best suited to heavy haulage. It’s good for pulling anywhere – out of quarries at 100-tonnes or coping with icy roads. Nothing is a problem for this truck!”
And what a smart livery too...and click through here for a closer look!
Supplied by Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North, based in Carlisle, the FH16 580 6x4 tractor is plated at 135 tonnes as a STGO Category 3 heavy hauler. Featuring a Globetrotter double sleeper cab for its two-man crew, it generally operates at between 90 and 100 tonnes hauling wide and extra long loads all over the U.K. It's expected to cover 100,000 miles per year.
Raymond Lawson goes on to tell BLB readers: "The Volvo dealer in Carlisle provides good back-up and excellent service. We generally have double drive and tag-axle tractors from them and will certainly be buying more.”
The truck operates with low-loader, extendable step-frame and flat trailers. These typically carry steel, timber, plant & machinery, cranes, mobile homes and the occasional Volvo loading shovel. And the Crane King Cog connection? Well Lawson Haulage established in 1952. specialises in haulage involving extendable trailers and lorry mounted cranes and also runs a fleet of all-terrain mobile cranes too.