Volvo serves expanding recycling market

Volvo is one of the leading chassis manufacturers which is gaining business from the booming demand for recycling and waste collection vehicles. Specialist haulier James Baxter Haulage Ltd has taken delivery recently of three new high specification FH12 6x2 push axle tractor units from Volvo Truck and Bus (South)'s Stoney Stanton depot, part of an order of four. The vehicles are being used for recycling applications.


“There were a number of reasons for choosing Volvo, ” said owner James Baxter. “Firstly, we had an older Volvo that performed very well so we knew about the reliability. The new trucks have a modern look and one that portrays business well.
“The new trucks are working well, our drivers are extremely happy with them and the fuel figures are also looking good,” he added.

The 460bhp FH12s have been specified with Globetrotter XL cabs in Comfort Trim and include climate control, CD players, alloy wheels and full Air Kits. Plated for 44 tonne GCV operation, they are on a two-year R&M contract with the Stoney Stanton depot.

Used to transport paper for recycling, paper reels and woodchips, the trucks haul specialised walking floor trailers, supplied by French manufacturer Legras, and operate from James Baxter Ltd’s Coalville, Leicestershire, base across the Midlands and South of England.

Serving MRF

In another waste application earlier in the year Volvo reported that a high spec truck went into service with Greater Manchester-based ISM Waste Services & Recycling. The Volvo FM12 Globetrotter was the first in the country to be fitted with Volvo’s D12D engine rated at 460hp and was supplied by Thomas Hardie Commercials of Trafford Park.

ISM – Irwell Street Metals – was started in 1965 by John Allen (Snr), predominantly as a scrap metal dealer.Today, however, the company is at the cutting edge of waste management with a state-of-the-art materials recycling facility.

The company’s present directors, brothers Peter and John Allen (Jnr) say that the company has a long history of high spec trucks – for a number of reasons. “The newest trucks come with tinted glass, heated seats, CD players, air conditioning and air horns. This helps keep overall residual values high and keeps drivers happy into the bargain.” Although nights out are few, the truck was also specified with a double bunk cab, again for improved residuals.

ISM is an all-Volvo fleet, with a mixture of nine FM12s in rigid (8×4) and two articulated (6X4) form, as well as one FM7 290 (4×2) skip loader and one FM9 300 (4×2) skip loader with I-shift.

All ISM Waste Services Volvos are steel suspended, with an average of between 25,000 to 30,000 km per year, both on and off the road. Mated to Volvo’s 12-speed I-shift gearbox, the new FM12 460 will be used for own account and hire work as well as transporting refuse and other forms of waste from ISM’s Ramsbottom Transfer Station to landfill sites across Lancashire.

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