Volvo FMX: Extreme mobility in challenging terrains

The new Volvo FMX looks a lot tougher because the truck itself has become a lot tougher. Its honest design makes it a highly robust and durable piece of equipment. It expresses toughness and robustness in a distinct Volvo way. It is built to take on the rough and tumble of the construction and mining industry. While it is strong enough to hold up 32 tonnes with its tow hook, even if it runs into a pile of rubble or even a concrete wall, the truck should be able to carry on as if nothing as happened. It has a likeable toughness that makes it true to the brand.

Hans Bergqvist describes the work that’s been done. “We’ve focused on robustness and maintainability. A lot of steel parts have been added but the weight gain is minimal – maybe five or six kilos; whereas robustness has increased many times over.” It’s boxy for a reason. The new towing member, the new bull bar, the new skidguard – everything has been connected to the front protection beam with huge brackets. This makes a boxlike construction. The front becomes incredibly sturdy as it is an extension of the chassis. So it absorbs the energy of a low speed impact like a giant spring. And it almost completely eliminates eigen frequency – and the shaking of the cab that comes with it.

It’s important to keep everything calm inside. We’ve thought a lot about the cab in terms of a workplace. It’s the place drivers spend most of their time – and where they keep all their things. So there’s a new storage space beside the driver’s seat for paperwork and a much better compartment on the side of the door. This is spacious but doesn’t get in your way when climbing in and out.

Born to work
The truck makes a powerful impression when you see it in real life. The lower front of the cab is in fact 40 millimetres higher and the front skidplate emphasises its improved ground clearance. The new headlights incorporate the signature V-shaped LEDs like the rest of the new Volvo family, but in a unique, more compact form.

The new Volvo FMX offers increased load carrying capacity with a new 33 tonnes rear tandem axle with four planetary gears on the hub. The front axle design has been improved with 10 tonnes hub bearing. Rear bogie suspension is further reinforced to better withstand high loads under tough conditions. With the improved axles and suspension, the vehicle is now certified for 51-tonne of Gross Vehicle Weight for 8×4 axle configuration.

The new Volvo FMX is configured with powerful engine starting from 440 hp and matched transmission in order to deliver best-in-class efficiency. With improved load carrying capacity and high horsepower engine, the volumetric capacity of the tipper body has also been improved to 19.5 cu.m, which is best in class that brings high productivity advantage to the customer.

I-Shift for mining
Until now automated transmission in mining trucks has been a distant dream. Not anymore, now you can choose between manual and automated gear shifting at any given moment. This means that the new Volvo FMX can take on rough and hilly terrain with the comfort and fuel-efficiency of our most popular transmission. This is particularly important in rough conditions and where there’s a lot of manoeuvring involved. It allows the driver to relax a little and let I-Shift do some of the work. At the same time it makes sure you have the lowest possible fuel consumption.

Dynafleet Online offers ‘Fuel and Environment’ service which provides information regarding vehicles performance and fuel consumption for better control on the fleet and take required action to improve their operational efficiency.

Source: Volvo Trucks