Long-established Scottish mobile crane hire specialists, Hugh Simpson Contractors Ltd of Wick, Caithness, has taken delivery of a new flagship heavy haulage vehicle. The Volvo FH16-750 6×4 tractor unit is plated for 150-tonne operations and will be used on both the company’s in-house crane ballast movements in addition to third party requests for heavy transport.

Founded in 1964, Hugh Simpson (Contractors) Ltd is one of Scotland’s leading lifting and plant hire firms. The company also combines considerable expertise in ship-to-shore stevedoring, specialist lifting for wind turbines and general plant hire.

“We currently use one 580hp Volvo FH 6×4 tractor unit on 150-tonne transport work, in addition to a similar chassis Volvo FM at 65-tonnes and these were both bought used,” notes Hugh Simpson Senior, Managing Director at Hugh Simpson (Contractors) Ltd.

“To date I’m extremely happy with the Volvos’ performance levels and the dealer back-up service, so I’m happy to consolidate this working partnership further, with the purchase of our new FH16-750 tractor unit,” Hugh adds.

Kevin Fraser, Transport Solutions Executive at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North & Scotland, Inverness supplied the 3,400mm wheelbase prime mover which features a Globetrotter cab, T-Ride bogie suspension and Volvo’s latest I-Shift Crawler AT03512F gearbox with two ultra-low crawler gears. The truck’s high specification also includes several additional Volvo packages including Heavy-Duty Transmission, Drive 16++ interior and enhanced paintwork. On the exterior a number of additional spot, work and strobe lights are fitted, whilst full leather upholstery, refrigerator, microwave oven and TV preparation complement the interior.

From its harbour bases in Wick and Scrabster, Hugh Simpson (Contractors) Ltd serves the north of Scotland mainland in addition to the Orkney Isles and the Outer Hebrides. Still owned and operated by the second and third generations of the Simpson family respectively, the firm has high hopes for its latest Volvo arrival.

Hugh explains. “The increased horsepower output and Volvo’s I-Shift Crawler gearbox will be ideal for hauling our specialist trailers over the often-challenging roads in the northern half of Scotland. Our crane ballast transport has naturally progressed into third party heavy haulage and I suspect the new Volvo FH16-750, with its increased capabilities, will perhaps appeal to an even wider client base.”