Ridgeons has taken delivery of seven Volvo trucks with rear-mounted Hiab cranes.

The East Anglian merchant looked to Hiab for a solution to the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, which has imposed challenging guidelines on loader cranes, especially in regard to leg interlocks.

The Volvo FE-300 6×2 rigids, with rear-mounted Hiab XS144B-2 HiDuos, use a Vehicle Stability Limitation system which has analogue and pressure sensing on the legs and slew system to provide interlocks which are infinitely progressive.

For every milimetre the leg is extended the capacity of the crane is increased, ensuring that it is always operating at a safe maximum.

The Hiab can reach over 8m and lift in excess of 1200kg in the grab.

The Volvo FE rigids feature hydraulically steered tax-axles for improved manoeuvrability. The 5250mm wheelbase FEs are equipped with a 300HP 7-litre engine. The trucks are being serviced on an 84-month Volvo contract maintenance package.