Pictured above: Volvo FH-520 8x4 recovery
vehicle
The Midlands-based Hartshorne Group has delivered one of the
largest Volvo recovery vehicles ever seen on British roads.
Hartshorne - which has its headquarters in Walsall - has
supplied a massive Volvo FH-520 8x4 recovery vehicle to Saunders
Recovery of Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
The giant of the road, supplied by Hartshorne's Potteries depot,
was fitted with an added fifth axle and a host of specialist
equipment including a 75-tonne rotating crane with five winches.
The bodywork and equipment was supplied by Boniface Engineering of
Thetford.
John Saunders said his new flagship was the biggest Volvo
recovery vehicle built for UK roads.
"We've always used Volvo for the heavy stuff. The Highways
Agency wants roads cleared fast, so with this we can right an
overturned container artic without having to wait for a second
vehicle," he said.
The basic truck is a Volvo FH-520 with a 13 litre engine and
14-speed gearbox. It is fitted with hydraulic outriggers and a full
complement of spotlights as well as a walk-in workshop fitted out
with cutting gear, tools and straps.
Established in 1989, Saunders Recovery offers a 24-hour truck
breakdown recovery service, roadside assistance and roadside
repair.
The family-owned Hartshorne Group is the Volvo Trucks agent for
the Midlands, with 11 depots across central England. In addition
the company distributes Hino Trucks throughout the region.
Hartshorne also offers hydraulic parts supply, trailer supply and
service, truck workshop facilities, repair and maintenance
contracts, body shop facilities and driver training.