Feature this villain in Transformers 4 - IAB checks out the Volvo FM480 10X4 Dump Truck

12/10/2012 - 17:53 Commercial Vehicles,   Nithyanandh K

The Volvo-Eicher joint venture has launched a new dump truck called the FM480 10x4 today in Bengaluru at a price of 1.08 crores (ex-showroom). We were there to check out the truck's features and here's all the details.

The new multi-axle truck is the largest mining truck Volvo has ever introduced in India. The latest offering from the Swedish truck maker is aimed at dethroning the Mercedes-Benz Actros range of dump trucks that enjoy a strong demand in the mining industry.

The company claims the truck has best in class torque, struck volume, power-to-weight ratio, torque to weight ratio, and payload to kerb weight ratio.

Features of the Volvo FM480 10x4 Dump truck

  • Volvo FW 480 10x4 Dump truck has a 43 ton payload capacity marketed with the tagline 'do more with less'
  • India's first 10X4 off-highway dump truck for mining application
  • 24 cubic meter struck volume rock body
  • Powered by a 13 liter Volvo D1 3A480 engine that generates 480 hp and 2,400 Nm of torque
  • Generates 7.38 hp per ton; Euro 3 Compliant
  • Mated to a VT2514 14-speed range & splitter gearbox with Crawler gear ratio 16:4:1
  • Innovative 5-axle configuration with steerable 3 front axles
  • 32 tonnes capacity rear tandem axle
  • High rear ratio of 7:21:1
  • Air suspension for the 3rd axle
  • Additional parking brake on the rear axle for stopping on steep slopes
  • Air suspended pusher axle with electronically controlled suspension for optimized load distribution
  • Electronically controlled hydraulic steering
  • Extra strong chassis for coping with tough conditions
  • GVW - 59,000 kg
  • Larger foot print for superior stability

Benefits of the Volvo FM480 10x4 Dump truck

  • Higher average speed
  • Faster turn around
  • Increased productivity
  • Good fuel economy
  • Reduced fleet size
  • Lower operating costs
  • Better profitability

Pointers from the Volvo press conference

  • 3,000 people work for Volvo India's commercial vehicle division. 1,000 of them are employed in the R&D facility
  • 7,500 trucks from Volvo are plying Indian roads
  • 4% market share in HCV segment
  • Volvo enjoys 70% premium European truck market share
  • Volvo bus market share in India is 4%
  • Competitor of this truck will be Mercedes Actros
  • The FM480 10X4 Dump Truck is priced at 108 lakhs. The target is to sell 150 trucks by 2013
  • Not a replacement to a 8X4 variant, the 10x4 do 28% more work than a 8X4
  • Volvo trucks have been in India for 15 years now
  • There are 128 on-site service centers across the country
  • Production will start in November, and delivery will shortly thereafter
  • 35 examples of this truck have already been sold
  • The company plans to setup its own bus body building plant in India
  • Its ready with Euro 6 engines and is in the process of setting up an engine plant as well
  • Engines will be exported from India and there are plans to sell it to Eicher

Check out a comprehensive image gallery from the event -

Can't see the slideshow? Head to our Flickr page

Subscribe to our daily newsletter