the ‘box constantly hunting and shuffling through gears to maintain a climb over varying gradients. Torque lock-up features in every gear, and there is the ability to select a low range function through the transmission using a switch on the console. It is not as low a range as you might expect, but is enough to help extend the A60H’s repertoire and suits the machine when fully loaded. While you can choose to operate in low ratio, if you leave
the truck in its standard transmission setting, the electronics will manage gear ratios based on payload. So when the A60H is unloaded, the truck will operate exclusively without using low ratio; but when there’s payload on board, the truck will automatically shift into low range with the transmission shifting between convertor and lock-up, depending on road conditions. A Volvo-designed dropbox and axles that are equipped
with wet-disc brakes distribute power to all six wheels, and with the ability to lock all six wheels together, the A60H should nudge mountain goats off their perches when it comes to traction.
GROUND PRESSURE Everything about the A60H is beefed up. Under the front, a hydraulically raised and lowered belly plate saves wrestling with access panels; there is the mother of all articulation joints connecting front with rear; yet it sits just 1% heavier on the front and 9% heavier on the rear, compared with the A40G,
when fully loaded. And ground pressure is kept in line with the rest of Volvo’s articulated hauler range, thanks to those new tyres.
Only the cab’s physical size remains unchanged, though its
structure too has been toughened to meet greater ROPS/FOPS requirements to suit the increased operating weight of the A60H. Getting up to the cab is a five-step climb, made easier with bright orange coloured grab handles to maintain three points of contact – though you do need to stop halfway up, not for oxygen, but to open the cab door! There’s a chance to eyeball the sight gauge on the hydraulic oil tank on your way to the cab too, while electronic monitoring lets you check just about everything else from the instrument cluster. As I plant myself into the seat, this feels unremarkably like any other Volvo ADT I’ve sat in. I am initially aware of the wider chassis, but there’s no shortage of visibility, thanks to sloping panels and decent mirrors. It doesn’t feel quite as I expected – those initial concerns
of size, weight and possible clumsiness soon fade once the A60H gets moving. This feels anything but large, heavy and clumsy. Unloaded, the A60H eagerly glides through its six ratios and is responsive to throttle inputs. The ride is typical of any ADT – fidgety and bumpy, but not uncomfortable, though the whole package is effectively managed with the front axle’s ride control system that damps vertical movement without relying solely on the sidewalls of the front tyres.
“This truck has plenty of power
and is boss of the job” BARRY NORTHEDGE – COLLINS EARTHWORKS
10 THE VOICE MAGAZINE No30 2017
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