Biomass heating systems and fuel supplier, Scot Heating Company of Stirling, central Scotland has taken delivery of a specialised Scania R 500 LB8x2*6HSA drawbar unit. Supplied by Scania (Great Britain) Limited's Bellshill depot, the 44 gross train weight vehicle is being used to deliver biomass fuel in the form of wood chips and wood pellets to customers nationwide.
"Our operating experience of Scania goes back to a previous company, Snowie Holdings Limited, which we owned up until 2005 - at that time, 75 percent of our 200-strong fleet was Scania," says Calum Snowie of Scot Heating Company. "So with a proven track record there was little doubt that we would once again go for Scania when Scot Heating Company began its delivery service of biomass fuels, which provide savings in the order of 20 percent compared to oil and LPG heating and a carbon saving in excess of 75 percent."
For maximum flexibility in operation the vehicle carries a bulk body for wood chips and a bulk tank for wood pellets, both of which are demountable to enable either container to be left on site while the truck continues to make deliveries with the other. The loading and off-loading of the containers is handled by the vehicle's on-board Multilift hookloader equipment. After dropping the prime mover's container, the hook then hauls the drawbar trailer's container onto the truck bed from where it is off-loaded.
The truck also has on-board suction/blower equipment. Manufactured by Tropper of Austria, this is used to both load and unload the wood chips and wood pellets to and from their containers.
Completing the picture in terms of flexibility, the vehicle's 8x2*6 wheelplan features three steering axles (first, second and fourth) and has been specified for maximum manoeuvrability when delivering into locations with restricted access.
"This vehicle is the result of a six month development programme carried out by my father, Malcolm, myself and our key suppliers Scania Bellshill, Logan Inglis/Multilift and Tropper of Austria," adds Calum Snowie. "We are delighted with the outcome and would like to thank Scania, Multilift and Tropper for the part they have played in creating this unique truck."