Volvo FMX 420 8x4 Chassis Cab Kel-Berg · Tipper Grab

The Volvo FMX day cab is trimmed in Robust seat fabric, with purple textile seat inserts and dark vinyl bolsters, and rubber floor mats throughout. The driver’s seat is suspended, with adjustable shock absorber, travel, backrest and lumbar controls, plus two armrests as part of the Drive Select package; the passenger seat is fixed and folds up. The steering wheel is leather, adjustable for tilt, column height and angle.

The driving area includes a secondary colour information display alongside the main instrument cluster, and Volvo’s Media Information Platform provides DAB and AM/FM radio through four dashboard and door speakers. Electrically controlled air conditioning with a sun sensor keeps the cab comfortable, backed by extra cab insulation, and white LED interior lighting brightens the cab after dark.

Externally, the FMX carries a heavy-duty front bumper with sump and radiator guards, and a fold-down step built into the bumper for windscreen access. Entry is via a lower swinging cab step and remote central locking, with electrically heated, powered door mirrors for clear visibility in cold weather, and rain-sensing wipers fitted as part of the Drive Select package.

The FMX 420 carries Volvo’s D13K, a 12.8-litre, six-cylinder Euro VI engine producing 420 hp from 1,400–1,800 rpm, and 2,100 Nm of torque from just 860 rpm. The low-rev torque means power is effectively delivered when pulling a full load from standing start, without revving the engine hard, then settling into efficient cruising on the road run.

Drive is delivered through Volvo’s AT2612 I-Shift 12-speed automated gearbox, running Construction and off-road application software with an Economy mode that automatically switches back to power mode when it’s needed.

The automated clutch handles every gear change without a clutch pedal, and the gearbox is rated for gross train weights up to 60 tonnes. The RTS2370A tandem drive axle runs a 3.09:1 ratio with a differential lock and cross locks for traction on poor ground.

The 8×4 layout runs twin 8-tonne front axles on 3-leaf parabolic springs with a medium-stiffness anti-roll bar, and a 21-tonne rear bogie on B/T-Ride mechanical-spring suspension.

Braking is by drum brakes, with EBS Medium and hill hold. The Volvo Engine Brake, working with an exhaust pressure governor, delivers up to 375 kW of retardation, significant extra stopping power that spares the service brakes on laden descents.

Wheels are steel rims fitted with Continental CrossTrac construction-pattern tyres, 315/80R22.5 on steer and drive positions, and tyre pressure monitoring is fitted as standard.

A 255-litre aluminium fuel tank is mounted on the right-hand side, with a locking filler cap and an anti-spill, anti-siphon device. The 48-litre AdBlue tank sits on the left-hand side, also with a locking cap.

Emission control meets Euro VI step E, with a horizontal silencer discharging at the rear, protected by an extended heat shield. The air intake is roof-mounted behind the cab on the left-hand side, keeping it clear of dust thrown up by the wheels.

The chassis is fitted with a gearbox-driven PTO, rated to 600 Nm for a single plug-in hydraulic pump and switched from the instrument panel, a straightforward, medium-speed drive for the crane and tipping hydraulics.

Lighting is LED throughout, with headlights that switch automatically between daytime running lights and low beam, plus LED rear and marker lights.

Electrical power comes from twin 210 Ah AGM batteries and a 110 A alternator, with a battery conditioner and a key-fob operated remote master switch for quick, safe isolation.

Volvo warranty and Repair & Maintenance packages are available on this chassis: speak to your Kel-Berg account manager for current terms and cover periods.

The chassis carries a Continental VDO 4.1 version 2 smart tachograph, meeting the legal requirement in force from 21 August 2023.

A telematics gateway with GSM/GPRS/4G modem, LTE and WLAN connectivity supports Volvo Connect Safety and vehicle status services, each on a one-year prepaid subscription, alongside Sygic satellite navigation on a three-year prepaid subscription and I-See predictive cruise map data on a five-year prepaid subscription. An intelligent speed assist subscription runs for seven years, and a monthly-subscription messaging service is included.

Volvo Action Service gives on-call vehicle assistance through a dashboard switch and voice communication channel, and a fleet management system gateway is fitted for connection to aftermarket telematics equipment.

Forward Collision Warning works with the Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) to alert the driver and apply the brakes automatically if a collision with traffic ahead becomes imminent. Side Collision Avoidance Support monitors both the passenger and driver sides of the cab, and Lane Change Support gives an on/off switch activated warning during lane-change manoeuvres. Driver Alert Support, also switch activated, monitors the driver for signs of fatigue or inattention, and a moving off information system assists the driver when pulling away from a stop.

Electronic Stability Control is tuned for low centre of gravity loads, correcting the vehicle if it detects a loss of directional control, and a reverse alarm sounds to warn people behind the vehicle when reversing. The road speed limiter is set to 90 km/h (56 mph).

Security is covered by an engine immobiliser with key-operated starting, and the vehicle’s onboard software updates are delivered to UN ECE R156.

The body is pressed HARDOX 450 steel throughout – 5 mm floor, 4 mm side walls and tailgate – an abrasion-resistant grade rated at 450 HBW that gives better dent resistance and longer wear life than standard 400-grade steels. Underbody beams are 8 mm S355 steel, with 100 × 190 mm box-section rear pillars.

The floor is a single pressed piece with angled edges to the side walls, preventing material sticking when offloading, and the chamfered single-fold top rails stop material resting on top when loading with the grab. The tailgate is top-swung on galvanised hinge brackets, with a heavy-duty four-tab manual locking bar, near-side prop handle and a galvanised push bar. A galvanised shovel rack is fitted on the front bulkhead.

The subframe is low-weight high-tensile steel, and bolted together rather than welded which better absorbs vibration, removing the risk of weld cracking, and making part replacement quicker.

The entire subframe is hot dipped galvanised providing a sacrificial layer of protection that prevents corrosion eating away at the steel underneath.

The body is tipped with an Edbro TS-26 underfloor twin-ram, rated at 22–26 tonnes with an average 13-second tip and 30-second total cycle. The trunnion-mounted cylinders pivot in rotating yokes, and a high-tensile stabilising frame absorbs the side loads imposed by chassis or body twist during tipping.

Control is pneumatic from in the cab. A body-raised warning light and buzzer in the cab covers safe travel compliance.

Loading is handled by the Palfinger Epsilon M125LC82 grab crane , rated at 106 kNm. The boom extends out in two stages to 8.2 m, so material can be loaded from a distance without repositioning the truck, and swings through 425°, close to a full circle either side. Two fixed legs, spanning up to 2.5 m, drop down to steady the vehicle while the crane is working. A Kinshofer clamshell bucket is mounted on a 4.5-tonne rotator.

The crane is operated from a standing control stations using cable controls. Built-in safety features stop overloading or tipping the truck. Two 1,000-lumen LED spotlights on the boom light the load area for early starts and winter afternoons, and a built-in hour counter keeps track of when it’s due a service.

The body is shot blasted before fitting and finished in two-pack paint in a single flat colour to your RAL choice. Rear wings, mudguards, hinge brackets, ladders, light brackets and the headboard sheet are all galvanised, and rear underrun protection and side guards are fitted, galvanised too.

Warranty cover is 3 years on the tipping body, 3 years on the PTO and tipping gear, 2 years on the paint, and 2 years full on the crane with sliding-scale structural cover to year five.