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

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 abrasion-resistant steel throughout: 5 mm floor, 4 mm sides, tailgate and headboard. HARDOX 450’s nominal 450 HBW hardness gives better dent and abrasion resistance and longer wear life than 400-grade steels in muck-away, demolition rubble and aggregate haulage.

The floor is a single steel sheet with angled edges to the side walls that stop material sticking when offloading. Heavy-duty top rails are folded from a single piece of HARDOX 450 with a chamfered profile that prevents material resting on top during loading. The headboard is reinforced with two vertical C channels and two lateral tie bars, the rear pillars are 100 x 190 mm box section, and a galvanised shovel rack is fitted on the front bulkhead.

Tipping is by an Edbro CX15 front-mounted hydraulic cylinder, a combined ram and tank assembly with a nominal lift capacity of 29 to 32 tonnes. One-piece laser-welded tubes, a 5-point sealing system and triple cast iron piston rings keep friction and contamination down.

Control is pneumatic from the cab: integrated into the CANBUS system with dashboard buttons on DAF chassis, an in-cab Edbro lever on all others. A warning light and buzzer alert the driver whenever the body is raised.

The tailgate is a single 4 mm pressed HARDOX 450 skin, top swung on galvanised hinge brackets, locked by an air-operated 25 mm heavy-duty 4-tab automatic bar with a steel cover plate that stops stones becoming trapped, plus a near-side prop handle and a galvanised push bar underneath.

The 500 mm galvanised cab guard has space for a roller sheet bar and motor. Galvanised rear underrun protection, side guards both sides, C&U-compliant conspicuity markings and LED marker lights complete the fittings.

The body is shot blasted before fitting and finished in two-pack paint to your RAL choice. Components that take the worst of the weather are galvanised: cab guard, rear push bar, hinge brackets, mud guards, shovel rack, light brackets, side guard brackets, sheet roller cover and rear underrun protection, giving sacrificial zinc protection that outlasts paint in wet, abrasive work.

Warranty cover is 3 years on the tipping body, 3 years on the PTO and tipping gear including the Edbro CX15 cylinder, and 2 years on the anti-corrosion paint finish. Third-party components carry their own manufacturers’ terms, available on request.