Volvo FM 440 6x4

Oct 3, 2019: The Volvo FM 440 6x4 comes with an immense GVW of 125,000 Kg that includes a payload capacity of 116,450 Kg. The truck features a trailer body along with a sleeper cabin on the chassis. Inside the cabin, there is a driver information display, adjustable driver seat, cruise control, tiltable steering, arm-rest, AC as the notable features.

Under the hood, there is a 12.8-litre Volvo D13A, DI Turbocharged Intercooled mill, with Engine Management System (EMS). The engine can make a maximum power of 440 bhp along with a peak torque of 2200 Nm. It is further coupled with a 16-speed manual transmission, which is assisted by a 440 mm Drag type power-assisted clutch with dual friction discs. It comes with a fuel tank of 446 litres. The engine can achieve a maximum speed of 85 kmph.

Volvo FM 440 6x4 Truck: Expert Review

Overview

Volvo FM series Trucks are available in a number of power options and FM 440 6x4 is one of them. There are many who like this truck for its strong built chassis, multi axle options, and heavy load carrying capacities of up to 125000 kg. The truck has also been powered by the company's most reliable engine that is a D13 12800cc diesel engine. It also has many comfort and safety features to make sure that your drive doesn't go frazzled. To top all that it operates at a low maintenance cost, comes with better gradeability compared to the similar range of vehicles and is equipped with smart engine management system.

About the engine, the above mentioned D13 powerhouse could easily belt out 440 hp power and handsome torque of 2200 Nm. Mated with a 16-speed gearbox transmission system, it goes up to the top speed of 85 km/h. The fuel tank capacity of 445 Litres further makes it a perfect companion for long trips.

Effective leaf spring suspension system both at front and back along with dependable axles offer better driving experience and stability on bumpy roads. The long enough dimensions of 6740 mm length, 2490 mm width and 3020 mm height supported by aerodynamic design makes it a trucker’s paradise.

As far as comfort is concerned, it has many features like adjustable driver seat, arm rests, tiltable steering, air-conditioned cabin, cruise control and reclining seats. The vehicle comes with a 25000 kg Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) extending further up to 49000 kg and 125000 kg with the help of extra axles (subject to ministry approval).

Outside the cabin, the cab is fully suspended with four coil springs and shock absorbers, fitted with designer V-shape Daytime Running Light (DRL) along with a headlamp unit with the higher illumination main beam. Well, the chassis has also been built with crash-tested steel welded structure to provide extra safety.

Volvo FM 440 is surely a fine truck with enhanced performance, high load carrying capacity, comfortable interiors and modern exteriors as well. The safety features has also been taken well care of within the truck. As it runs on low maintenance cost with engine management system to optimize its performance, it surely is worth investing in.

Engine and Performance

Offering complete details about the engine, the D13 13.0 Litre 12800cc 6-Cylinder Direct Injection Diesel Engine is capable enough of producing 440 hp power @ 1400-1800 rpm and 2200 Nm torque @ 1050-1400 rpm. It has also been mated with the engine management system for driving diagnosis and electronically regulated fuel injection with a unit injector system.

Talking about the performance, it has 16-speed manual splitter gearbox transmission system (14 Forward + 2 Crawler + 4 Reverse) and can hit the top speed of 85 km/h. The vehicle also has good gradeability of 36%. The company has also made this vehicle up to the emission standards of Euro 3 or BS III.

Load Carrying Capacity and Applications

The Volvo trucks are famous for their heavy load carrying capacities and FM 440 is no exception. Mentioning the normal capacity, the truck could get loaded up to 25000 kg with the kerb weight of 8550 kg and axle distribution of 6000 kg and 19000 kg for front and rear, respectively. Now, while extending, the truck could take up the load up to 49000 kg when coupled with 3-axle semi-trailer

and up to whooping 125000 kg when coupled with a suitable hydraulic axle trailer (requiring an approval from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways).

Well, there is nothing that can't be loaded up in this truck and hence it has many applications like in the construction industry, general goods supply and heavy machinery export as well.

Braking, Suspension and Handling

The truck is equipped with very effective power braking system with Air Brakes, separate parking brakes and Antilock Braking System (ABS) as well. The tyres are also of decent quality with dimensions of 12R20 for both front and rear.

About the suspension, the vehicle has Parabolic S-Shaped Leaf Geometry System Suspension at front and Heavy-Duty Bogie with Conventional Multi-Leaf Spring Suspension System at rear. Apart from this, there are shock absorbers in front to support smoother drive. There also are heavy-duty front axle and rear axle with the planetary hub reduction system with 4 gears for first and tandem drive axle at second rear axle. This configuration is best suited for the minimum ground clearance of 306 mm it offers.

The power steering available with this truck makes sure that drivers find it smoothest to move the truck forward or backward by offering them stability and control at both high and low speeds. All the handling features make the vehicle good enough to turn and move at 7700 mm turning radius.

Exteriors and Interiors

The truck is designed scientifically by the company with dimensions 6740 mm long, 2490 mm wide and 3020 mm high along with the wheelbase of 3885 mm. There are better designed V-shape Daytime Running Lights with integrated headlamp unit coupled along higher illumination main beam. The chassis is also suspended with 4 coils and shock absorbers for better driving purpose.

Inside, the sleeper cabin has many features with accommodation for the driver, co-driver and 1 bunk as well with 70 degree tilt angle. Other features include a newly designed instrument cluster with on-board diagnostic, switch on the dashboard for activation of parking brakes, cushioned foldable co-driver seat, lower sleeper bunk with cushion, ergonomically designed instrument cluster among other standard features.

Comfort and Safety

For offering much-needed comfort on the long drives, the FM 440 truck has been equipped with cruise control, tiltable steering, arm rests, driver information display, adjustable driver seat, ac and telematics too. These features surely make this truck a good buy for transporters.

As Volvo is known to keep security at top-notch standards, FM 440 has many security features like seat belts, crash-tested steel for chassis with welded structure, hill hold, ABS and others to keep all the occupants safe in most of the conditions.