Circulus-Berkel takes three Volvo FM 6×2 TAG-XL into service

This enables efficient collection of residual waste. The vehicles were developed and delivered in close cooperation with Volvo Trucks Nederland and dealer Harbers Trucks.

Circulus-Berkel provides waste and raw materials management and public space management for nine municipalities, including Apeldoorn, Deventer and Zutphen. Over 470,000 people live in the working area and there are 2,000 collection containers, for light and heavy fractions.

Oscar Faber, fleet manager at Circulus-Berkel: "Waste is being separated better and better, think of green waste and plastic, for example. A good thing but also one with consequences. Because the light fractions (plastic) have disappeared from residual waste, the weight of residual waste is increasing. We were therefore looking for a sustainable solution for transport and finally arrived at the Volvo FM 6×2 TAG-XL. A unique solution because, given the weights, we had actually assumed a four-axle truck."

Ex-factory solution

Volvo came up with a factory solution: a standard 6×2 rigid truck with a GVW of 29 tons. In cooperation with Terberg Techniek, the tag axle was placed 1.85 meters behind the tag axle, making it seen as a separate axle by law. This has increased the legal GVW by 2.5 tons, to a total of 31.5 tons. "We are dealing with crane container vehicles that have a relatively high unladen weight. We therefore looked with Harbers Trucks and Volvo Trucks at the best axle configuration for these types of vehicles. If you would opt for a four-axle axle, you have to deal with higher tire wear and a higher own weight. The chosen solution with a 10-ton front axle ex-factory and a 10-ton steered trailing axle, which Volvo Trucks has as standard, provides the desired increase in payload. This reduces the number of trips, lowers fuel consumption and makes for a more cost-efficient vehicle. The trucks are equipped with a Hiab crane and hooklift system."

Volvo FM cab provides excellent visibility

Circulus-Berkel specifically chose the new Volvo FM and even postponed the replacement deadline for it. "The new Volvo FM offers the driver a lot of comfort due to its spacious cabin and excellent all-round visibility. In addition to Volvo's systems such as the additional screen and blind spot camera, the trucks are also equipped with a camera on the rear of the body. The driver can easily switch cameras on the screen. These trucks are also equipped with Volvo Dynamic Steering, which proves to be fantastic in practice for our work. By the way, the adjustable steering wheel with neck-tilt allows the driver to easily set a good sitting position. Since we work with several drivers, that is an advantage. Finally, the entry and exit of the Volvo FM is an important argument, it is really unique with two steps."

Ambitious sustainability goals

The new Volvo FMs fit into Circulus-Berkel's sustainability goals. These include reducing fuel consumption and CO₂-emissions central. The company has an ambitious plan to have, by 2030, 80 to 90% of its vehicles electrified.

"With that, these Volvos may well be the last diesel-powered vehicles. We see that the developments are happening rapidly. We are doing a lot of orientation and are always looking at whether there are electric solutions for certain types of work. We are also looking at charging infrastructure and the like. But we are also taking measures for the current fleet, for example with HVO 100 fuel, planning trips and always looking for optimal configurations."