Harsh secures second big order from Hillhouse Group
Having first specified HARSH tipping gears and sheeting systems on 23 new tippers acquired over the past four years, the Troon-based Hillhouse Group has again chosen HARSH for another large batch of 10 similar vehicles. “The HARSH equipment has performed exactly as we wanted it to,” says Caroline Woodburn, Hillhouse’s Operations Manager for Transport and Distribution. “The front-end tipping gears have been completely reliable, with the front-to-back sliding sheeting systems proving exceptionally versatile. Together, they have proved very easy to operate and maintain.”
Mounted on a 430hp 8×4 Volvo FMX chassis, Hillhouse’s now finalised tipper spec is completed by Thompsons Scottish-built insulated aluminium bodywork, each finished off with additional side wear plates to the rear and a steel floor liner. Ready for work, the unladen weight is a very competitive 12,750kgs. However, there is one key difference between the latest 2024 vehicles and their 2022 counterparts–Hillhouse has now opted for HARSH’s latest hydraulically operated version of its ‘Roll n’ Go’ side-to-side sheeting system.
“We’ve chosen the side-to-side Roll n’ Go sheeting system for its unmatched heat retention properties when carrying tarmac,” says Caroline, adding, “The new hydraulic actuation version is super-fast in operation, as well as being perfectly suited to work reliably in all weather conditions. The sheet provides a realistic 100% sealing capability to keep the payload hot, which is important as our trucks are now travelling longer distances than ever, whether that might be east to Edinburgh, north to Glencoe, south to Dumfries or even seawards to the Isle of Mull.”
Given that tarmac work can often involve lengthy waiting times (and especially at night), the new Volvos now feature sleeper cabs. All the trucks are also supported by Volvo’s ‘Gold’ standard Repair and Maintenance contracts.
Caroline also points out that the HARSH front-to-rear ‘Slide n’ Cover’ sheeting system has proved ideal for loads such as sand and aggregates, principally because with the sheet retracted behind the headboard, loading is equally easy from either side of the vehicle, with no risk of incidental damage to the sheet from an overly enthusiastic shovel. With some loading situations often being in confined spaces, this extra versatility and safety factor can be a benefit. For the tipping gears, the 23 previous combined ram and tank HFT154 front-end gears performed exactly as expected with complete reliability, so they were an obvious re-order for the 2024 trucks.
Founded in 1907, the family-owned Hillhouse Group is now one of Scotland’s largest suppliers of quarry products, tarmac, concrete and concrete products. Of particular note, the company has recently taken over the Skene Group of Glenrothes in Fife. This move will significantly expand Hillhouse’s product offering and customer base across central and eastern Scotland.
HARSH is, therefore, delighted to play even a small part in the ongoing Hillhouse success story, as the company’s in-house tipper fleet continues to deliver ever higher levels of efficiency, productivity, and service to its customers.
