Improvements in safety and fuel efficiency are promised for
The new 8x4 trucks will be equipped with tipper bodies and will be used to replace older trucks in Lafarge’s fleet. Among the advances on the Renaults are overhead cable warnings to prevent cable strikes when tipping and auto-gearbox as standard to enhance driver safety and boost fuel consumption. There are also weight detection cells on the PPG manufactured bodies so drivers can tell exactly how much material they are carrying before getting to the weighbridge.
Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK head of distribution and customer service centre for aggregates John Dargie said, “This is an exciting new link up with Renault Trucks which we hope proves beneficial for both our organisations. We are always looking to improve standards, both on our sites and with our equipment and vehicles.
“Working with Renault Trucks and its local dealer RH Commercial Vehicles on a bulk order we were able to introduce a number of safety upgrades, in particular the overhead cable warning system. Last October a Lafarge aggregates driver in the United States was killed when his truck came into contact with overhead power lines while tipping. This tragic loss of life and a number of near misses in this country led us to asking Renault Trucks to install audible alarm devices which are activated if the truck gets too close to overhead cables.”
Lafarge has already taken possession of 10 new trucks and a further 10 will arrive in September as part of a rolling programme of lorry replacement. The company has around 300 delivery trucks, mainly with contract hauliers.
