Ardent Hire in major Volvo order

The Volvo FH 500 6x2. (Photo: Volvo)

UK rental company Ardent Hire has taken delivery of 20 new Volvo FH 500 6x2 tractor units as part of a major fleet upgrade programme.

Powered by Euro-6 compliant D13K Step E engine, the trucks provide 500hp (372kW) and peak torque of 2,500Nm. It comes equipped with a high chassis and a heavy-duty bumper to protect the trucks during their work delivering heavy plant machinery to busy construction sites.

Other features include a Drive+ package for driver comfort, fully electronic air conditioning with sun, mist, and air quality sensors with carbon filter, an adjustable steering wheel with neck-tilt and an electrically operated fabric interior sun visor.

Ardent Hire said they chose the trucks, which replace 20 older Volvo Trucks models in its fleet, due to its reliability and driver comfort. The company is also expected to take delivery of 12 Volvo FMX 8x2 rigids later this year.

Gareth Clements, group operations director, Ardent Hire, says, “We have been long-term admirers of the Volvo product, having run its trucks for a number of years now. The FH is ideally suited to our line of work and, following a thorough procurement process, Volvo Trucks came out on top for us again.

“The overall driver experience in the Globetrotter cab is second to none, and we know the FH is as reliable as they come. The aftersales support is also crucial. We run a national operation providing first-class plant equipment across the country, Volvo has an excellent dealer network that helps keeps us moving.”