Chrystal Petroleum of Cluny in Fife has taken delivery of three 18-tonne GVW Volvo FE 4×2 and a 26-tonne Volvo FE 6×2 rear-steer. The trucks are used for delivering fuel across Southern and Central Scotland and are all are equipped with I-Shift automated gearboxes.
Supplied by Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North & Scotland, Broxburn, the new trucks, which are all covered by a Volvo Gold R&M contract for 5-years, represent a key investment for family-owned Chrystal Petroleum, signalling the company’s commitment to its customers.
Managing Director, Andrew Chrystal says: “We pride ourselves on providing a service that’s second-to-none and I firmly believe these new trucks with their efficiency, manoeuvrability and reliability will help us to deliver on our aims and our customers’ expectations for years to come.”
All four new trucks feature rear air suspension and are powered by Volvo’s 7.7 litre D8K engines producing 320hp and I-Shift automated gearboxes: “I-Shift makes driving so much easier,” says Andrew. “Now it is fitted as standard on the Volvo FE, I would say it represents a far better way to drive a truck at these operating weights – and our drivers love it.”
Chrystal Petroleum, started some 40-years ago, now has 30 employees and runs an 18-strong fleet of trucks (15 of which are Volvo) delivering heating oil to domestic customers and gas oil and diesel to commercial and agricultural customers within 80-mile radii of its depots in Fife and East Lothian.
“The new trucks will be split operationally across the two sites,” says Andrew. “The manoeuvrability of the Volvo FE ideally suits our work because access to some of our customers is somewhat challenging. We’ve been particularly impressed with the 6×2 and its steered tag-axle as there’s really nowhere the 4×2 can go that the 6×2 can’t match.”
The tanker bodies on all four new trucks were built to Chrystal Petroleum’s own specification by Road Tankers Northern of Barnsley – which also installed the tanks – and Alpeco metering equipment. Prior to this, Meller Flow Trans of Bradford fitted fire screens (all the trucks conform to Pet Regs) and moved tanks (AdBlue) and components from the nearside of the chassis as required for installation of the fuel delivery equipment.
The 4x2s are able to transport 11,500 litres of fuel/oil before hitting their 18-tonne GVW while the 6×2, with a GVW of 26-tonne, can carry up to 19,000 litres. “We specified short day cabs and Durabrite Aluminium rims to keep the weight down,” says Andrew. “We always fill to the GVW of the trucks as this helps us hit our efficiency targets.”
Efficiency at the dealership in Broxburn is something Andrew particularly wishes to highlight. “We enjoy a really good relationship with the dealer,” he says. “They look after us supremely well and the support we receive absolutely helps us to deliver.”
