RECOVERY TRUCKS

A recovery truck is one which is used to lift and transport damaged vehicles. They are also known as tow trucks or spectacle lift. Volvo has been a leading truck manufacturer since 1928. It is a Swedish company. Volvo has several models of recovery trucks. The advanced technology model called FH was introduced in 1993. FH stands for Forward Control High Cab. These trucks are heavy duty trucks meant for heavy fleet.

Two models were introduced – FH12 and FH 16. They were very popular as they were fitted with high capacity engines. In 1995 Volvo’s FH series became the first heavy duty trucks to be fitted with the advanced safety measure of airbag – SRS. The FH 16 520 being one of the largest recovery vehicle built by Volvo. It is a rigid truck with 13 liter engine, Euro engine and a manual 14 speed splitter gear box a 6 ton lift and 14 ton machine capacity.

These recovery trucks had the advance D12A engines that made them powerful and fuel efficient. These trucks are also fitted with VEB – Volvo Engine Brakes that was considered a path breaking technology. Over the past decade these recovery trucks have been remodeled and upgraded with the latest technology. The current trucks are upgraded to D13B engines with output power ranging from 360hp to 500hp with Exhaust Gas Recirculation and VGT Turbocharger. This feature was exclusive to Volvo’s FH series when introduced in 2007. They also incorporated the I shift automated transmission management system.

Currently the company is focusing on driver safety and comfort. Trucks now come with latest audio, wipers with rain sensors, and lights at the corner for better visibility during turning, Driver Alert Systems, Lane Change Support, radar cruise control, comfortable passenger seats and many other incidental features to ensure augmented utility. They also come with sleeping space for the occupants, heater and Power Assisted Steering fort smooth driving. More so the cabins are wider than their predecessors providing extra space and comfort. Some of them like FH16 660 even come with plush interiors like leather seats. This is high capacity recovery truck with Recovery Trident technology enabling it to lift up to 33 tons and tow up to 130 tons.

New headlights and side lights were introduced for better visibility. The seats also have seat belts for safety. They have provided the trucks with integrated speaker phone and microphone in the steering wheel along with controls for the radio. Extra measures are taken to sustain the impact of frontal damage through the Front Underrun Protection System. This is also introduced to prevent smaller vehicles from being run over. Volvo’s recovery trucks are well equipped to prevent and mitigate accidents and also to facilitate tough tow work.

Recovery trucks are also available in a twin deck option so that more vehicles can be transported in the same fleet saving on time and fuel – ensuring that the damaged vehicles are transported to the workshop at the earliest possible. The vehicles are transported on a flatbed which is a feature of recovery trucks.