Old Haulage fields crane-toting Volvo FH 8×2 refurb

Blaydon-based Old Haulage has put on the road a fully refurbished Volvo FH - mounted with a Cormach Serie 75000 crane and fly jib - to help it secure a new business opportunity. The family-run firm has put the 32-tonne 8x2 FH, featuring a cabin-spec body and supplied by MV Commercial, to work installing roof trusses for its customer - a local housebuilding firm which had previously relied on a mobile crane to complete such a job. Amanda Old, director at Old Haulage, said: "In the initial new business conversations we were told a flatbed body with heavy-duty fly jib was needed for a new-build project planned to start within a couple of months.

Of course, we looked at placing an order for a new vehicle but the lead times were over 12 months! "Thankfully, when we spoke to MV Commercial they had the exact truck we required in their Ready to Go stock. I've no doubt that had we ordered a new vehicle from scratch, we would have lost out to another haulier due to the extended timeframe."

In addition to the refurbished 32-tonner, MV Commercial has also supplied Old Haulage with a new 44-tonne Volvo FH 6x4 tractor unit fitted with a heavy-duty Palfinger PK 78002 crane. Part of the company's nine-strong mixed commercial vehicle fleet, the new tractor unit replaces a similar older truck, which the haulier typically looks to do after five years' service. Old Haulage started life as a coal merchant more than 50 years ago.

Today, it operates from a 5000 sq ft warehouse in Blaydon and nearby yard, providing nationwide general haulage and crane hire, alongside specialist services including the installation of fuel station signage.