Recently in Operators Category

If you can't see this coverage properly, then get yourself over to our MT Awards page, where it is showing in full colour.

Here it is as promised, the magnificent Mike Beer Transport Volvo NH12 - a left-hooker that served with honour in Mike's Dutch operation, which as Biglorryblog recalls was held in high esteem by the Dutch enforcement authorities who hailed it as the right way to 'flag out'.

What was behind the Dutch business? Well, the soaring price of fuel amongst other things---although MBT did have quite a bit of Continental business as well.  Colin Farbrace at Mike Beer Transport very kindly arranged for this picture to be scanned and sent to me and I am most grateful to him and all at MBT for their help. Alas, the bonneted beauty has long since left the fleet but I thought you'd all like to see a shot of what was then a very rare beast indeed - and what a smart-looking rig too. 

Seeing the pics of the Armstrong Foden in the livery of Gretna FC reminded me that the last time it was in the yard of Clean Air Power at Leyland. I've managed to locate a couple of pics of another Armstrong Foden, with a CAP LNG conversion. Expect this to be a big year for CAP, by the way, as it has agreed a letter of intent with Volvo to supply alternative fuel systems.

How times have changed....once upon a time you knew it was a Sutttons of St Helens tanker on account of a) It was a British truck and b) It had the Union Jack painted on the front...Of course things move on and the Buy British/Fly the Flag purchasing policy has long since faded into the annals of haulage history. However, before we get too misty-eyed the Suttons Group is still very much a part of UK transport scene and word reaches Biglorryblog that it has just taken delivery of five new Volvo FM12.440 tractor units following a major investment of over £5 Million in a total order of 77 vehicles. The five new tractors will join Sutton's general purpose chemical road tanker fleet based at the Widnes depot, the rest will be progressively delivered by Spring 2009.

And here's one of them for your delight and delectation...not THAT much different really. Still very smart and with the classic red livery plus the shiny tanker emphasising the company's continuing commitment to safety. Only it would be rather nice to see a Union jack back on the front of the tractor...if only on a 'special anniversary' artic. What do you think BLB army? Now click through here for one more.....

'The Boss' is obviously having a bit of a break from Continental tramping along the highways and byways of la belle France as he's sent me this selection of very smart fleet trucks from the West Country. Yes it's Glendinning---the company to have the last Foden in the UK (or so The Boss insists and who am I to argue with him?).

Anyway, along with these cracking snaps he's also sent me a potted history of the company which follows: "BLB, 50 years ago this year two lads from 'oop' north came down to Ashburton, here in the West Country. Shovels in hand, they began digging a hole in the ground and so E.& J.W Glendinning was founded."

He goes on to say: "Through hard graft the company grew to the position it is in today. Unfortunately, neither Ernie or Jack lived to reach the company's 50th. Ernie actually calling it a day in the company's 50th year. I have known those running this company for a long time, not flash people, grafters and my only thought is that in another 50 years what will the company (which will still be going) be running then?"

"The company had the unique priviledge of owning what was believed to be the last Foden to go on the road.however DAF are  now starting to be favoured in the fleet.The 50th anniversary Daf  CF FTP 460 supplied by Wessex DAF, (discreetly marked) looks just right and will be driven by long serving driver Adrian Barber,who should be a very happy man. Grateful thanks to Brothers G for the story and photos. The Boss" And that goes for BLB too---FTP? My favourite 'small-wheeled' 6x2. Those 17.5in wheels sit nicely in the chassis, saving space and weight. Some operators don't like them--can't see why, maybe they like carrying excess weight around on a bulker...?

Meanwhile click through here for a 'kitemark' treat.....there now, I've given it away...

I knew I could rely on Biglorryblog's 'Man North 'o' the Border' John Henderson. Having asked if he knew about the company called Northwards that I spotted on my recent trip to Orkney he's naturally come up with the goods on them----and a picture too. "Hello Brian, It's good to see you back on BLB and I'm glad you enjoyed the holiday in Orkney. I hope you took full culinary advantage of the local super fresh sea food and the plentiful availability of free range haggis." I did John--although I got the haggis as part of a 'Full Scottish Breakfast' at a fabulous B&B in Perth on the way home! But I digress. John goes on to say: "Northwards is a very smart outfit that delivers the essential supplies services to all the islands of the north and to quote directly from their interesting website (www.northwardsltd.co.uk) 'the company was formed in 2002 after a management buyout from P&O Scottish Ferries Ltd of their freight, haulage and maintenance operations in and between Aberdeen, Orkney and Shetland.' I've attached a picture from 2007's Truckfest Scotland of a trio of their smart Mercs. Sadly I did not see them at the Ingliston showground last weekend, but perhaps the diesel cost of travelling down put them off, who could blame them?"

Now click through here for more on smart Scottish fleets...

Road Rat has been out and about and found Biglorryblog two rather splendid "Eddie" shunters. "Still in good condition!" he tells me. And he's right too. Here's the first one a tidy 3-Series P cab. Now click through here for the next one and check out the number plate too!

Continuing the intermittent series of the best (or otherwise) of Eddie Stobart truck names, Road Rat has been busy clicking away on behalf of Biglorryblog to bring you the very latest batch of cab names for your delectation...and no prizes for guessing which tractor manufacturer has had their pleasure of Eddie's business lately.

Starting with Verity Ness, sister of Loch Ness perhaps...?

Then the delghtfully rhyming Laura Flora...

Now click through here for a couple moe.

Try as he might Biglorryblog can't keep away from the wonderful world of "Express Haulier" Eddie Stobart (is the company still an Express Haulier I wonder...?) Anyway thanks to Road Rat I can bring you some more Stobie 'names' and don't ask me where they get them all from...or what dictionary they use.

And click through here for one more...

Trundling along the M26 this morning at a heady 7mph (that's when the traffic wasn't at a complete standstill) Biglorryblog stumbles unwittingly on a fantastic piece of news. Vos Logistics is making BIG money out of road transport. Well it's hardly surprising, indeed as one UK operator once told me: 'When it comes to making a profit the Dutch could skin a flea!' But, dear BLB reader, I can reveal that not only is Vos making good money...it's actually boasting about it too! How else to explain the highly provocative logo on the side of its MAN TGA prime mover....(click through to find out what I mean)

What you might call an extreme Hino, with big floatation tyres and a spreader hopper on the back this is just right for the farm...and speaking of which this is a shot of a typical morning at a New Zealand 'RDC'....(actually it's trucks waiting to unload at Feilding cattle yards--presumably the sheep arrived earlier but were told by security that they'd missed their slot and had to go to the back of the queue...)

I don't know...what's the world coming to? Time was when you couldn't move for lorry drivers falling off t' waggons. Laugh? It were right grand entertainment. Then those flipping Health & Safety squad got involved and spoiled all the fun. Actually there's nothing funny about falling off a truck and considering the lousy access to tippers and other dropsided trucks that used to be provided for drivers in the past it's astonishing that more of them weren't killed or injured in falls from vehicles. So Biglorryblog says a 'Big UP' for Travis Perkins on the proper ladder access provided on the back of its delivery truck here which was in front of BLB this morning. DON'T start...we weren't moving this was at the lights. Alright? And what I like about this is that there are ladders on both sides of the body so no reason not to use them. Yes there's a lot to be said for H&S--if only to stop truck drivers becoming fall guys....

Biglorryblog notes with more than a backward glance the placing of one of the largest single orders for Daf XF105 tractors to date in the UK from none other than James ‘The Lorry’ Irlam. Indeed, the company is taking no less than 115 of the tall, proud and haughty beauties as the sole make and model of its 2007 fleet replacement programme.

“The multi-million pound deal, sealed by the recent handover of six of the trucks at the Manchester premises of Chatfields DAF (pictured above), is said to support Irlam’s policy of maintaining a fleet of trucks less than three years old” says the PR blurb.

Note that ‘multi-million’ reference which no doubt will come as further succour to Paccar which is experiencing a rather tough time of things in the States—as indeed is every other US truck maker right now. And if you want to find out exactly what’s going on in the world manufacturing scene then BLB advises you to turn immediately to my blogging chum Mr Dixon’s excellent, if somewhat pithy, World Truck Blog on this website.

Meanwhile, I recently found myself pondering on whether or not Daf could maintain its stonking performance from 2006 when it was not only UK market leader…but also market leader in every sector it competed in. Some performance. Well the simple answer is, if you’re looking at just tractors, yes. According to my spies with the stats, for the total tractor market up until the end of June the runners and riders are as follows:

• Daf 1467 regs or 25.8% of the market
• Scania 1055 regs or 18.6%
• Volvo 933 regs or 15.4%
• MAN 818 regs or 14.4%
• Merc 647 11.4%

And within the tractor market Daf leads both 4x2 and 6x2 sectors…So this recent order from Irlams won’t have hurt their figures one little bit. And for the record the 115 XF105s for Irlams are all Space Cab FTG 6x2s with a 410hp MX engine and AS-Tronic autos. Some fleet machine…some fleet order.