Blog

Sep 09, 2023

New Fleet

As the COVID-19 restrictions eased, a number of handovers of new commercial

As the COVID-19 restrictions eased, a number of handovers of new commercial vehicles took place at brand distributors and dealers. Included in the selection are Volvo, DAF and Renault Trucks, together with Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi.

Height for Hire, the family run access machinery rental business, established in Ireland more than 40 years ago, with depots in the UK, Slovakia and Hungary is reaping the benefits of its new Volvo FM 4×2 rigid truck, equipped with a versatile underbridge unit to allow survey and construction teams to work beneath bridges without the need for scaffolding.

The company put the truck into operation after working closely with its local Volvo dealer, McDonnell Commercials in Monaghan, to identify a truck with a suitable chassis to accommodate the unique nature of the bodywork.

"The majority of our delivery vehicles and larger truck-mounted cherry pickers are built on a Volvo chassis, so we felt confident approaching McDonnell Commercials to work with us on this order," says Fergus McArdle, Managing Director at Height for Hire. "Martin Keenan from McDonnell Commercials helped advise us on different models, and the Volvo FM proved the perfect choice."

The specialist Moog MBI 110-1,2/S unit is manufactured in Germany, and allows Height for Hire to access under and down the sides of structures such as bridges, viaducts or highway overpasses. The left-hand drive FM is powered by Volvo's D11K engine, generating 330 hp and 1,600 Nm of torque. It benefits from Volvo's automated I-Shift 12-speed gearbox, making driving easier, safer and more comfortable as well as helping to optimise fuel efficiency. The Volvo FM cab is equipped with additional side and rear windows to aid visibility, allowing the driver to park and manoeuvre with utmost accuracy. Its sleeper cab, with steel safety cage design, comes with a single bed living package.

Hanlon Transport, the family run transport company based in Greenore, County Louth has taken delivery of two new DAF XF.530 4×2 tractor-units with SuperSpace Cabs.

The specification includes: Factory painted cabs, ZX TraXon 12-speed automated transmission, Full leather interior, Sat Nav radio and factory fitted phone and a Microwave. The side-skirts fitted are supplied by Darren Hollywood in Newry and extra painting and lettering by Tierney Painters in Monaghan.

Newly appointed Regional Aftersales DAF Trucks Dealer, Colm Burns Commercials (Sligo) was the location for the handover of a new DAF LF.180 4×2 10-tonne rigid to County Sligo based Peter Devaney Recovery. He is joined by DAF Trucks Ireland's Regional Sales Manager, Paul O’Reilly. The new LF comes complete with a 22-foot tilt and slide recovery body supplied and fitted by Thomas Small & Sons (Claregalway).

Sean Moriarty Transport Limited, another family-run business, has added a new DAF LF 260 4×2 rigid to its strong DAF Trucks fleet. Sean Moriarty Transport has operated in the transport and logistics industry for over 30 years from its Dundalk, County Louth base. The new Day cab truck was delivered by Paul O’Reilly, Regional Sales Manager, DAF Trucks Ireland in conjunction with Thomas White, General Manager of newly-appointed DAF Service & Parts dealer, Kearns & Murtagh, Dundalk. The 26-foot curtainsider body with 2-tonne cantilever tail lift was fitted by the Kingswood, Dublin based McClean Body Works.

At Setanta Vehicle Sales, now located at its new Sales & Service facility at Ballycoolan, Dublin, O’Harte Transport (Monaghan) collected two new Renault Range T-High 520 6×2 tractor-units. This is the third award-winning T-High to join the Clones based haulier's fleet in 12 months. As per usual the team in O’Hartes have left nothing to spare with the spec of this impressive truck. Extras include 60-tonne rear axle, front air-suspension, pneumatic sliding 5th-wheel, Durabrite alloy wheels, light bars, SM Components 700 litre diesel tank , LED perimeter kit from DG Engineering , TV and microwave along with full Leather Pack. All finished off with vibrant paint and graphics by Tierney Motors.

Setanta's Sales Executive Aaron Clarke conducted the deal. He also send on this photo of the new Renault Range C430 8×4, sold to Richard Nolan Civil Engineering (Dublin).

Meanwhile at Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles, dealer activity around the country saw Cantwell Electrical Engineering (Urlingford, County Kilkenny) purchased this new Actros 2530L 6×2 rigid with Midi Cab from Surehaul in Clonmel, featuring a 9-tonne Front Axle with a specially fitted Crane Pack that required the exhaust and batteries to be moved to the rear of the vehicle.

At Joe Curran Commercials at Oldcastle, County Meath, Gaughran Brothers Transport (Kells, County Meath) were supplied with another Actros 2553 6×2 tractor-unit, equipped with the award-winning MirrorCam system.

Mitsubishi Motors has completed the handover of the first ten of a total of 72 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Commercial vehicles to Alstom Transport UK & Ireland, one of the largest suppliers of high-speed and commuter rolling stock in the country.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV allows the Alstom's technicians to minimise their environmental impact, especially in urban areas where it can operate as a pure electric vehicle for up to 50km (WLTP). The combination of electric and petrol power can also yield impressive fuel and emission savings on longer journeys too, where the Outlander PHEV does not need to seek out or wait for a vacant charge point, or tie its operator up while waiting for the batteries to charge. However, if a rapid charger is available, the Outlander PHEV can be charged to 80% in just 20 minutes, the time it takes to grab a coffee and stretch one's legs.

Mitsubishi Motors was also able to provide the vehicles with special racking in the rear to accommodate the technicians’ tools and equipment.

Nadim Mehar, Alstom Transport's Fleet Manager, commented, "Sustainability is at the heart of everything Alstom does. We help people move in an environmentally friendly way with our electric trains, trams, metros and exciting new hydrogen trains, delivering products that will help make the world a greener place. Ensuring that our low emission commitment is fulfilled in all aspects of our business, Alstom have looked to reduce our road-vehicle emissions with Mitsubishi's customised PHEV vans offering the perfect solution. Through our partnership with Mitsubishi, we will see our new fleet of purpose-built plug-in hybrid electric vans play their part in delivering mobility by nature"

On hand at the vehicle handover at the company's regional offices in Derby, was Nadim Mehar (FR), Alstom Transport UK & Ireland Fleet Manager, and Sarah Gatley (FL), Corporate Sales Manager Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, who worked together to put the deal together and ensure the vehicles provided exceptional value for money to Alstom and were delivered on time and in the exact specification required by the company.