Together with the dealer network in the Republic ofIreland, Volvo Trucks is exhibiting at the National Ploughing Championships.

The event takes place on the 23rd to the 25th of September at Ratheniska, Stradbally, Co. Laois.

The National Ploughing Championships are believed to be Europe’s largest outdoor exhibition and agricultural trade show. Volvo Trucks is displaying six trucks on the company’s stand, from right across its completely new range. The vehicles on show include a new Euro-6 FH16-750 tractor unit and an example of the all new, 12 tonne GVW FL. The latter is equipped with the DK5210, five-litre engine and I-Sync automated gearbox.

The Volvo trucks on display include a new series FH, winner of the International Truck of the Year 2014 award, and an F10, which won the prestigious award in 1984.

The F10, an ‘Intercooler’ model, equipped with the TD101F engine, has been kindly loaned for the duration of the show by its owner, Joe Baker of Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.

The high specification Euro 6 FH, which was loaned for display at the show by Irish Commercials of Naas and Galway, features a Globetrotter cab and I-Shift automated gearbox with I-See fuel saving software.

In addition to the F10, another two of the six trucks on display belong to operators. The FMX-420, 8X4 Tridem Rigid, is operated by O’Carroll Haulage of Limerick. It is fitted with a PM53025 SP crane capable of a 3070kg lift at 13.8metres. Together with the crane, the body, which is seven metres in length and features a two metre push out at the rear, was supplied and fitted by Joseph Bennett of Stradbally, Co. Laois.

The truck, which was supplied to the customer by McCarthy Commercials, is used for lifting and transporting portacabins, containers, chemical storage units, transformers and abnormal loads. It is also used for lifting machinery onto sites for the Electricity Supply Board (ESB).

By way of contrast to the FMX, a new series FM 8x4, equipped with the eleven litre, Euro 6 compliant D11K410 engine rated at 410hp, is also on display on the Volvo Trucks stand.

This truck was supplied to the customer by McDonnell Commercialsof Dunraymond, Co. Monaghan and has been loaned for the exhibition by Robert Smyth and Sons of Ballindrait, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Smyths Daleside Animal Feeds operate one of the most modern mills in Ireland for the manufacture of animal feeds.

The FM is fitted with the VT2214, 14 speed manual gearbox. The six door, seven compartment, smooth sided, aluminium bodywork is by Muldoon and is fitted with a Harsh front end tipping ram and Muldoon bulk blowing equipment.

Managing Director Arne Knaben explained why Volvo Trucks and the dealers from the Republic of Ireland decided to exhibit at the National Ploughing Championships in 2014. “Although our dealers have exhibited here in the past, this is the first time that Volvo Trucks have participated at this very important event. It is the biggest event of its kind and we wanted to support our customers and dealers. Ireland has always been an important market for Volvo. Now we have a new range and with our comprehensive soft product offering, including that from Volvo Financial Services, we invite everyone to come and talk to us at this fantastic exhibition.”