UK’s first FH Aero tipper enters service with CJ Hurford & Sons

CJ Hurford & Sons has just taken delivery of a brand-new Volvo FH Aero 8x4 Tridem tipper - the first of its kind in the UK. The sleek addition is all about top-tier fuel efficiency and agility, which the Bristol-based company said makes it the perfect choice for their work with Dragon Asphalt. Chris Hurford, the company's owner, said. "Our fleet is mostly high-end kit, and we wanted something a little special again this time.

It's nice to know we have the first FH Aero tipper in the country. "Where we are based, out on the Mendips, the terrain is very hilly, and we always get good fuel on the Volvos, but this Aero should be even better. We've gone with the mirror cameras on this one too - it's all down to aerodynamics and to save on fuel.

That's the main cost for our business, so anything we can do to reduce that is a huge help." The truck was supplied by Truck and Bus Wales and West. Under the hood, it's powered by a D13K Euro 6 engine delivering 540 bhp and 2600 Nm of torque.

Dressed in Dragon Asphalt's signature white and red livery, the FH Aero is built for efficiency. Thanks to its aerodynamic design, including Volvo's Camera Monitoring System (CMS) that replaces traditional mirrors, it cuts energy consumption and emissions by up to five per cent. The tipper body was built by George Neville, while Merlin Car & Commercials handled the paintwork, with Naked Signs adding the finishing vinyl details.

RBF Auto Electricals took care of the electrical installation. Replacing a truck from a rival brand, this new FH Aero runs on Volvo's 12-speed I-Shift gearbox with construction software to handle tough terrain. The Tridem chassis also makes accessing tricky sites easier and also helps reduce tyre wear.

"The turning circle of the Tridem is unmatched - you can get a 20-tonne payload into sites where usually only a six-wheeler can go," says Hurford. "The overall package from Volvo is superb. The driver loves it, and that's so important to keep your drivers happy." Expected to clock around 80,000 km per year, the FH Aero 8x4 is covered by a Volvo Blue Contract, ensuring all preventative maintenance is taken care of.

CJ Hurford & Sons operates a fleet of 12 trucks, employing 16 staff members.

Based just south of Bristol, they cover the South West, delivering asphalt and aggregates with their modern fleet of six and eight-wheel tippers.