“For refuse handling in particular, but also in other services, there is an increasing demand for cabs with a low entry. We are now meeting our customers’ requirements with a truck that is type-approved throughout Europe and that shares 95 percent of its components with standard versions of the Volvo FE,” says Anders Bellini, Product Manager, City and Regional Distribution, Volvo Trucks.
Health and safety
The fact that the market for trucks with a low entry is growing is largely a matter of health and safety. For example, a driver in city distribution operations climbs into and out of the cab several times per shift. With a low entry, there is far less strain on the driver’s knees. The Volvo FE LEC also has a door opening angle of 90 degrees on the passenger side. This combined with the low entry height means it is possible to exit the cab facing outwards while maintaining a watchful eye on the surrounding traffic. The floor is entirely flat.
“The cab has space for up to four persons who can get in and out efficiently and sit in comfort while the truck is on the move. In congested traffic, it is of course always a safety advantage to be able to climb out of the cab onto the pavement,” says Anders Bellini.
Visibility and manoeuvrability
Safety is also the reason the Volvo FE LEC has been designed to give the driver the best possible visibility in every direction. In addition to large rear-view mirrors and close-visibility mirrors, there is a low window in the passenger door and extra side windows in the rear of the cab. In other respects too the Volvo FE LEC has been specially configured for efficient city operations, with a high-torque seven-litre engine producing a choice of 300 or 340 horsepower mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The truck is available in 4x2 or 6x2 configuration with a steered tag axle, offering excellent manoeuvrability even in narrow streets.
“The Volvo FE LEC is a longed-for addition to our FE family. It will contribute to a better and safer working climate for the person who uses it as his or her everyday working tool and will help boost our customers’ competitiveness,” says Anders Bellini.
The Volvo FE LEC will be available for order from week 25, in European markets.
Facts, Volvo FE LEC
Cab
Walk-through cab with flat floor and space for up to four people.
Entry height: 540 mm above the road surface (440 mm with kneeling function activated).
Floor height: 900 mm above the road surface (800 mm with kneeling function activated).
Driveline
Engine: Volvo D7F, in-line 6-cylinder common-rail engine with a displacement of 7.2 litres that produces 300 or 340 hp.
Top-mounted power take-off.
Gearbox: AL306, automatic transmission with 6 forward ratios and optional TC421 torque converter.
RSS1344C rear axle with ratio 4.63 or 5.29 for optimised driveability and fuel consumption.
Axle configurations
4x2 or 6x2 with steered tag axle.
Suspension
All-round air suspension. Kneeling function for front axle as an option.
Gross Vehicle Weight
18 (4x2) or 26 tonnes (6x2).
Axle load
Front axle load 8 tonnes.
Rear axle load, driven axle 13 tonnes (6x2).
Tag axle load 7.5 tonnes.
Link to images: http://icp.llr.se/CumulusE_Z/VTC_ImageGallery/Login2.jsp?assets=T2011_1160;T2011_1161;T2011_1162;T2011_1163.tif
June 22nd 2011
For further information, please contact:
Veronica Nyblom, Media Relations Europe, phone +46 31 322 09 97
email veronica.nyblom@volvo.com
