Volvo to Debut FE Low Entry Cab

Volvo Trucks recently announced that the FE Low Entry Cab (LEC) will make its first public appearance at a show in England at the FutuResource international conference and trade fair on June 15 – 17. The vehicle on display will be equipped with a Heil Powerlink 19M Refuse Collection Vehicle (RCV) body which has a capacity of 19 cubic meters. The bin hoist is an Otto Compact which is mounted onto the Heil Powertrak tailgate.

“The Volvo FE LEC embodies the company’s core values of quality, safety and care for the environment,” Volvo’s UK Municipal account manager Richard Osborne, said in a release.

The FE LEC is built at the world’s first CO2 neutral truck plant at Gent in Belgium. According to Volvo, the FE LEC is specifically configured for waste collection in both high density traffic urban streets and rural areas with narrow lanes.

The vehicle is powered by a Volvo D7 Euro 5 engine with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). Power output is 300hp at 2100 to 2300 rpm and peak torque is 1160Nm between 1200 and 1800rpm. The power unit is mated to an Allison AL306 6-speed automatic transmission with hydraulic torque converter and push button mode selection.

In terms of axle capacity, the FE LEC offers 1,000kg of loading tolerance at 26 tonnes with an 8 tonne front axle and a 19 tonne rear bogie. The rear bogie is air suspended and chassis ride height is 1,000mm. The front axle is also available with air suspension (with the option of a kneeling function).

The Volvo FE LEC, which was developed specifically for the UK and Ireland market, was launched in December 2009 and the first deliveries of customers’ vehicles to bodybuilders are scheduled to be made this summer.