“The HARSH equipment has performed exactly as we wanted it to” says Caroline Woodburn, Hillhouse’s Operations Manager for Transport and Distribution. “The front end tipping gears have been completely reliable with the front to back sliding sheeting systems proving exceptionally versatile. Together, they have proved very easy to operate and maintain.”

Mounted on 430hp 8×4 Volvo FMX chassis, Hillhouse’s now finalised tipper spec is completed by Thompsons Scottish – built insulated aluminium bodywork, each finished off with additional side wear plates to the rear and a steel floor liner. Ready for work, unladen weight is a very competitive 12,750kgs.

There is, however, one key difference in the latest 2024 vehicles over their 2022 counterparts – Hillhouse has now opted for HARSH’s latest hydraulically operated version of its ‘Roll n’ Go’ side to side sheeting system.

“We’ve chosen the side to side Roll n’ Go sheeting system for its unmatched heat retention properties when carrying tarmac” says Caroline, adding “the new hydraulic actuation version is super – fast in operation, as well as being perfectly suited to work reliably in all weather conditions. The sheet provides a realistic 100% sealing capability to keep the payload hot, which is important as our trucks are now travelling longer distances than ever, whether that might be east to Edinburgh, north to Glencoe, south to Dumfries or even seawards to the Isle of Mull.”

Given that tarmac work can often involve lengthy waiting times (and especially at night) the new Volvos now feature sleeper cabs as well. All the trucks are also supported by Volvo’s ‘Gold’ standard Repair and Maintenance contracts.

Caroline also makes the point that the HARSH front to rear ‘Slide n’ Cover’ sheeting system has proved ideal for loads such as sand and aggregates, principally because with the sheet retracted behind the headboard loading is equally easy from either side of the vehicle, with no risk of incidental damage to the sheet from an over – enthusiastic shovel. With some loading situations often being in confined spaces, this extra versatility and safety factor can be a benefit definitely worth having.

For the tipping gears, the 23 previous combined ram and tank HFT154 front end gears have performed exactly as expected with complete reliability, so were therefore an obvious re-order for the 2024 trucks.

Founded way back in 1907, family – owned Hillhouse Group is now one of the largest suppliers of quarry products, tarmac, concrete and concrete products in Scotland. Of particular note, the company has just recently taken over the Skene Group of Glenrothes in Fife, a move which will significantly expand both Hillhouse’s product offering and customer base across central and eastern Scotland.

HARSH is therefore delighted to be playing even a small part in the ongoing Hillhouse success story, as the company’s in-house tipper tipper fleet continues to deliver ever higher levels of efficiency, productivity and service to its customers.