News from Volvo: The UK’s Volvo FE Low Entry Cab (LEC) has entered service with Neales Waste Management in Blackburn, Lancashire. It is the company’s first Euro-6 vehicle in its predominantly Volvo fleet.
Power is provided by the Volvo D8, Euro-6 compliant, 8-litre engine rated at 320hp driving through an Allison Automatic transmission, although Volvo’s I-Shift automated gearbox is also an option in the FE LEC.
The new Volvo FE LEC is based on the latest generation of Volvo Trucks’ medium duty Volvo FE, so the chassis, driveline, design, instruments and controls are all more or less identical.
The rear-steer, tag-axle LEC features a low entry height of 530 mm. The truck is equipped with air suspension on all three axles and, with the ‘kneeling’ function activated; entry height is lowered by a further 90 mm to just 440 mm.
Access for the driver and crew is further aided by doors that can be opened a full 90 degrees. Cross cab access is simplified by the flat floor throughout the cab.
The FE LEC will be operated on a ‘driver plus one’ basis on commercial waste collections. It is expected to cover in the region of 50,000 kms per annum for the seven years it will be operational with the company.
Neale’s Waste Operations Manager Lee McKenzie said it chose the Volvo FE LEC as the manufacturer ‘stood out’ from the competition regarding innovation and quality, “In addition to the driver and crew benefits of the low height crew cab,” he added, “the rear-steer tag axle will also be a big help in tight access situations. It should also reduce tyre wear. Overall, we are looking for an improvement in efficiency with the acquisition of the Volvo FE LEC.”
The Neale’s Waste Management FE LEC is equipped with a Farid TISM-22 RCV body.
