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The article details a press event organized by Volvo Trucks in Greece to introduce their new FH Aero range and the FH16-780 models, followed by a 2,600 km journey back to Gothenburg. Topics include the challenges of transporting electric trucks in regions with limited charging infrastructure, the performance of the new FH models during the trip, and the overall success of the press event and its seamless organization.

This article discusses the challenges faced by Mercedes-Benz in the UK market, such as supply problems and disruptions in parts availability. However, it also highlights the improvements made to the Actros range, which has undergone updates to enhance performance, driving characteristics, and overall quality. The Actros range has evolved significantly since its introduction in 1996, with Mercedes-Benz leading in terms of truck technology. The article mentions features such as fully electronic control, MirrorCam, and advanced GPS cruise control that contribute to the Actros' appeal. The latest version of the Actros range, the Actros 2548 L, is designed for long-distance operation and features a new Third Generation OM471 engine, improved suspension, a more comfortable ride, and better interior build quality. While the MirrorCams have been upgraded for clearer images, there is still room for improvement. Overall, the Actros 2548 L offers better driving performance, fuel economy, and driver comfort compared to previous versions. [Extracted from the article]

Plant Speed Ltd, a heavy-haulage company in Avonmouth, has added a new MAN TGX 41.640 8x4 250-tonne tractor unit to their fleet. This is their first MAN heavy tractor unit, chosen for its fluid coupling transmission, which provides better control at low speeds. The driver's opinion was considered, and the regular driver of the new MAN was eager to try it out. The article also discusses the benefits of air suspension technology in heavy tractors, such as its ability to support heavy loads and its height adjustment feature. The fuel consumption of the new MAN tractor is comparable to that of a Mercedes tractor. The article emphasizes the importance of flexibility and versatility in fleet operations and mentions the use of Faymonville CombiMax modular equipment. The article concludes with positive feedback from a driver who praises the comfort and performance of the new MAN tractor. INSET: Heavy Haul Driver: Terry Fox. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the Renault C520 Evolution 6x4 tractor unit, emphasizing its strengths in construction and heavy transport applications. Topics include the vehicle's robust design and traction capabilities, the advantages of its 6x4 layout over lighter models, and insights from real-world testing with various load conditions.

The article focuses on Darren and Ryan Gorrett's 2003 Scania T164G 580 6x2 Topline tractor unit, notable for its large PM 85-tonne/m crane and unique configuration. Topics include the truck's design advantages in stability and load distribution, its effectiveness in confined spaces due to the crane's knuckle-boom design, and its enduring value and performance over 21 years and 1.1 million kilometers.

THE SMART BLUE and white fleet of BM Transport, an increasingly familiar sight on both UK and Irish roads, is always immaculately turned out and often pulling flat trailers loaded [...]

Operator opinion: Richard Taylor and Mathew Taylor, RL Taylor WE ARE MAINLY Scania operators but have tried other makes over the years, either as a result of buying a used [...]

THE GROWTH OF pallet networks in the past 20 years has been little short of phenomenal and is a concept that has completely changed the face of road transport in [...]

ACHIEVING SUSTAINED GROWTH in any sector of the transport industry can be difficult, but it's particularly hard in the bulk transport market because of the cyclical nature of the business, [...]

Operator opinion: Steve Rich, director WE HAVE SPECIALISED in bulk powder transport since my father started out as an owner-driver more than 40 years ago. We operate both tipping and [...]

DESPITE A RATHER slow start following its launch last year, different versions of the Scania G-series range are now starting to appear on UK roads. So wide is the range, [...]

Operator opinion: Chris Robinson, operations director, Route Logistics Company founder Paul Clifton started out with a previous generation Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor unit when he was an owner-driver in 2005, and [...]

THE LATEST VERSIONS of the well-proven DAF XF and CF ranges were introduced last year. While the same basic cab shells have been retained once again, the respective drivelines have [...]

IT IS ALL too easy to overlook the importance of the humble fleet spec tractor unit and be dazzled by the high-power, tall-cab models that have come to prominence in [...]

Stuart Wilkie, operations manager, Burcombe Haulage WE RUN QUITE a diverse fleet, including rigid tippers, concrete mixers, road sweepers, hook-loaders, collection, delivery and trunking vehicles for a pallet network, and [...]

Operator opinion: Mike Ponsonby, MD, MA Ponsonby WE ARE A 100% Scania fleet, apart from an old Volvo FL10 shunter that we use in the yard. It would take quite [...]

THE SOUTH WALES VALLEYS have experienced dramatic changes in the past 35 years. Coal mining, steel and tin-plate production were once the cornerstones of the region's economy, employing thousands and [...]

The article evaluates Volvo's new top power FH16 780 Aero and other models from the Aero range.

This article from Truck & Driver magazine tells the story of Tommy Ponsonby, a young truck driver who followed in his family's footsteps to pursue his passion for trucks. Tommy now drives a 65-tonne R580 and shares his experiences and aspirations in the industry. The article also highlights the challenges and advantages of being a young driver, and emphasizes the need to attract more young people to the industry. It suggests that young people may benefit from learning about job opportunities that involve longer working hours, such as in the road transport industry. [Extracted from the article]

F& D Gibbs Transport, a family-owned transportation company based in Warminster, Wiltshire, recently marked its 70th anniversary by adding two new high-spec MAN TGX tractor units to its fleet. Despite facing challenges such as the old licensing system, the company has adapted and thrived, remaining the only family transport business in the area. While local industries have declined, F& D Gibbs has successfully diversified into bulk tipper haulage, primarily transporting grain and animal feeds. They also handle curtainsider work and run fridge trailers for a local seafoods company. The company has a long history and a close-knit team, with several family members involved in the business. They have chosen MAN trucks for their performance and dealer support, and to celebrate their anniversary, they have customized two new trucks with unique features and designs. F& D Gibbs is committed to investing in their business and maintaining good relationships with other operators. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the advancements and practical considerations of using Bio-CNG in heavy-duty vehicles like the Iveco S-Way. It highlights the environmental benefits of Biogas derived from recycled materials, its operational efficiency compared to LNG, and the growing infrastructure support for CNG refueling stations. It also discusses the technical specifications of the S-Way, its dual fuel capability, and practical insights from its operational performance.

The article evaluates the Actros L 2548 truck from Mercedes-Benz.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses the vibrant trucking industry in the southwest of England, highlighting the region's reliance on trucks for various industries including quarrying and distribution, as well as the strong tradition of family involvement in transport operations. It also discusses the journey of Michael "Smazz" Hellard and his son Harry, who took over their plant haulage business amidst challenges, showcasing their fleet and the manual transmission.

THE CONCEPT OF driverless vehicles has been promoted by vehicle manufacturers for years, and vehicles that can travel on normal roads without any direct control from humans have been held [...]

Operator opinion: Ned Woollard, logistics manager We operate a varied fleet of 150 vehicles spread between 26 depots, from 3.5-tonne vans to 26-tonne rigids with drawbar trailers. It also includes [...]

A POPULAR CHOICE with operators, we used a 26-tonne Renault Range T380 demonstrator to work a week on a mixture of local delivery, collection and medium-distance distribution operations. A number [...]

SOUTH WALES-BASED SMITHS Heavy Haulage, part of Smiths Mechanical Services, recently put a new Scania R730 tractor unit into service. Normally, this would be noteworthy, but not that exceptional--4-axle tractors [...]

WE SPENT A WEEK in a demonstrator tractor unit lent to us by a local operator for appraisal. The MAN TGX 26.500 6x2 pusher-axle tractor unit is fitted with the [...]

AS PART OF Volvo Trucks' celebrations to mark 50 years in the UK, it is offering a limited production run of 50 examples of a special Ailsa Edition FH tractor [...]

The Scania R- and S-series launch was one of the most highly anticipated ever. We take the S450 out to see if it lives up to the hype ONE OF [...]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Truck-mounted cranes have increased dramatically in size and lifting capacity in recent years; they are far removed from the simple truck-loader cranes that first appeared in the 1960s [...]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WE RECENTLY HAD the opportunity to spend 10 days behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz Actros. This time it was a rigid, [...]

MC Salter & Sons pitted its Iveco Stralis Hi-Way against a Mercedes-Benz Actros. With top specs all round, which of them would come out on top? Operator opinion: Martin Salter, [...]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Operator opinion: Edward Bond, director, FG Bond & Son WHEN SPECIFYING A new vehicle, we take great care to ensure it meets our exact requirements because [...]

Five generations of Browns of Steeple Ashton have led the haulier over the years. CM finds out how it has achieved its longevity ROAD TRANSPORT HAS always been a tough [...]

THE BIG FLAT-FLOOR version of Renault's Range T is rarely seen on UK roads, with most sightings limited to vehicles from abroad. This is down to the absence of a [...]

Operator opinion--Ray Foss, Britaniacrest AS A FAMILY WE have been operating tippers transporting waste and other materials for four generations. My father originally traded as Charles Foss in West London. [...]

The article focuses on the evaluation of Iveco's bio-CNG S-Way 460 4x2 tractor, highlighting the environmental benefits of using bio-methane derived from recycled materials to significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels. It mentions despite the environmental advantages, limitations in refueling infrastructure, mainly the smaller gas filling.

The article provides an update on Broughton Transport Solutions' truck fleet, focusing on the MAN TGX and Iveco S-Way. It discusses their operational performances, issues faced, and fuel consumption. Broughton's snapshot reveals their preferences and challenges with different truck brands, emphasizing the importance of dealer relationships.

The article focuses on providing an update on the performance of long-distance tractor units operated by Broughton Transport after almost a year, highlighting issues faced and solutions implemented, such as fuel system problems and the effectiveness of braking systems. Topics discussed include the reliability of various truck models, the challenges of maintaining vehicles across different operating conditions, and the importance of dealer support and maintenance contracts.

The article focuses on the limitations of vehicle telemetry systems in providing a comprehensive view of truck performance and driver behavior, emphasizing the need for a more holistic approach that considers factors like payload, route variations, and external conditions to accurately assess productivity and efficiency. It highlights the risk of solely relying on narrow metrics.

The article delves into the challenges faced by young drivers entering the road haulage industry, highlighting the struggle to find employment due to a lack of experience despite obtaining the necessary qualifications. Topics include the evolution of licensing legislation, the importance of practical driving experience, and the experiences of two young drivers starting their careers in international trucking with Broughton Transport.

The article offers a review of the practicalities of running a CNG gas-powered Scania's R410 4x2 truck compared to diesel, highlighting its performance, gas storage, and refueling process, with insights into the benefits and challenges of gas-powered engines.

Cornish aggregate supplier and ready-mix concrete producer Maen Karne hauls across the South West. CM pits one of its Iveco Stralis Hi-Ways against an MAN TGX Operator opinion--Sam Ashburton, Maen [...]

THE EURO-6 DAF XF is a familiar sight on highways throughout Europe. As with previous generations of Dafs, they are popular with operators in virtually every market, contributing to the [...]

WE RECENTLY SUBJECTED a demonstrator tractor unit to an extended week's work across the UK and continental Europe. The Mercedes-Benz Actros 2545 6x2 BigSpace was employed on a real-time revenue-earning [...]

MJ Church has operated MAN tippers for more than 20 years, but the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz Euro-6 Arocs provided a convincing argument to jump ship. The operator and CM [...]

Operator opinion--Matt Heath, general manager, Secondhand Trucks Unlike the majority of sellers of used trucks, we are in the unique position of having a complete knowledge of the entire service [...]

IN RECENT YEARS many have claimed manufacturing and engineering in this country is a lost cause, unless it involves high-tech electronics or bio-science. These individuals claim we cannot compete with [...]

Kent-based Myers Group has been trading for 58 years, and though Daf is traditionally its favourite marque it has a long association with MAN. It joined CM to compare the [...]