With Volvo I-Shift gearbox, the Volvo FMX is able to handle tough and hilly terrain with high levels of productivity and driver comfort.
Volvo FMX – A Game Changer
The Volvo FMX made its inroad into the Malaysian market in 2014. Since then, Volvo Trucks Malaysia said, it has been the top selling model not just in the construction segment, but also widely used in logging, mining and agriculture (CPO tanker) sector, to handle the tough operating conditions and demanding transport assignments. The Volvo FMX 6X4 is the most sought-after model after the Volvo FM series.
“The Volvo FMX was a game changer and it soon became very popular among both haulage operators and drivers for its powerful performance and versatility in handling rough road conditions,” says Mitch Peden, Managing Director of Volvo Trucks Malaysia.
Only three years after the introduction of the Volvo FMX, Volvo Trucks released a new version. The cab was modified and all the components in the front structure were redesigned. New air suspension gave an increased ground clearance of 300 mm. The towing eye could now tow up to 32 tons.
With the immediate success of the Volvo FMX, so Volvo Trucks launched a new version as early as 2013. It was an even more robust solution for challenging construction environments. This is also the version that was introduced to the Malaysian market.
With Volvo I-Shift gearbox, the Volvo FMX is able to handle tough and hilly terrain with high levels of productivity and driver comfort. Coupled to a Volvo diesel engine, it reduces fuel consumption by up to 5 per cent compared to a manual gearbox.
Hub Reduction
The Volvo FMX with Hub reduction can support the maximum axle load of 33 tons and the combination weight of 120 tons. The truck is fitted with reduction gears in each hub. The hub reduction gears reduce loads on the driveline so that tractive effort can be transferred to the ground without wheel slip, giving excellent grip and very low tyre wear.
“The hub reduction is perfect for construction work. It provides good grip when the surface is slippery, which result in higher truck productivity” says Peden.
Tandem Axle Lift
In 2018, Kotamas Oil Sdn Bhd, a specialist in petroleum haulage from Sabah added 15 units of custom-made Volvo FMX 6X4 with tandem axle lift feature into their fleet. Tandem Axle Lift is designed for operations where the driver drives heavily loaded in one direction and empty in the other. With the push of a button on the dashboard, the driver can disengage and raise the drive axle to improve fuel efficiency by up to 4 per cent on average. As soon as the truck is loaded, the drive axle automatically lowers and engages to ensure maximum traction and driveability. Kotamas was the first in Malaysia who acquired this technology into the Volvo FMX to address the demanding hilly and rough road condition in Sabah. Through this, the fuel consumption has also improve remarkably by 15 to 20 percent.
“The Tandem Axle Lift is a perfect fit for customers who travel regularly on rough terrain. This is especially true for customers based in East Malaysia where roads are riddled with pot holes and sometimes not tarred, uneven and hilly. It provides better traction, and helps to reduce tyre wear and tear and more importantly, saves cost,” says Peden.
Below are some of the many YouTube videos that featuring the innovative features of the Volvo FMX :
The Hook
Volvo Trucks‘ former CEO Claes Nilsson illustrates the power of the towing eye of the Volvo FMX.
The Technician
This video demonstrates the ground clearance of the Volvo FMX.
The Hamster
A hamster controls a Volvo FMX, thanks to Volvo Dynamic Steering.
The Epic Split
Volvo Dynamic Steering became well-known throughout the world following the stunt by Jean-Claude Van Damme, who performs an epic split between two reversing Volvo FM trucks. The video, which has almost one hundred million views on YouTube, is regarded by many as one of the best commercials ever made.
