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Lance Purchase's first new heavy truck is a Volvo FH 8x4 tag-axle, rearsteerTridem. CM went to see how the 4-axle plant mover is coping in Somerset's narrow lanes
LANCE PURCHASE'S GREAT looking Volvo FH Tridem is something of an enigma when approached from the point of view of a general haulier. Received wisdom says that big trucks are for big mileages, four or five nights out a week and heavy loads. While undoubtedly a big 'un, and well up for the toughest of haulage jobs, this FH is unusual not just in its specification, especially its hydraulic loading ramp arrangement - of which more in a moment - but also in its duty cycle.
The reason is that this 500hp, platform-bodied, rear-steer, tag-axle, 8-wheeler rarely ventures more than 80km from its base in a village on the Somerset Levels. Annual mileage is forecast to be around 25,000km (it is on 12-weekly O-licence inspections). It is equipped with Volvo's Globetrotter cab, complete with roof-mounted aerofoil and side extenders, yet spends a fair proportion of its life working in lanes so narrow you couldn't swing a proverbial feline in them.
The list goes on; it is used to transport machinery between building sites yet it is painted, all over, even the body side rails, in a luminescent white that looks as if it will show dirt like a coalman's shirt collar. However, when CM donned the company hard hat and went to see Lance Purchase, it became clear that he has put together a one-off, very unusual specification that works extremely well for his operation.
Purchase is a pragmatic, hardworking and thoughtful West Country man. He tells CM that he never finished school but went out to earn a living in the construction industry instead. His father Derek, now retired, was a builder and had considerable experience of civil engineering. Lance's career began as a machine driver in civil engineering. He worked for Somerset earthmoving firm Kelston Sparkes, where he drove artic dumpers, before joining another local contracting company in Maidenford. "We've got diggers in the blood," he quips. From there he progressed to running his own ground works and plant hire business with his wife and co-director Emma.
Initially a JCB Fastrac coupled to a...