Blackwell expand fleet with 20 approved-used Volvo A60H haulers
Earthworks contractor reduces embodied carbon and strengthens its fleet for major infrastructure works
BLACKWELL Earthmoving Ltd have strengthened their articulated hauler fleet with the addition of 20 approved-used Volvo A60H units supplied by SMT GB, boosting the fleet operator’s capacity on major UK infrastructure projects, including HS2, Sizewell C, and the Lower Thames Crossing.
The move supports Blackwell’s strategy to balance productivity with their ambition to achieve carbon-free earthworks by 2040. By choosing approved-used machines, the contractor avoids the emissions and lead times associated with new manufacturing while ensuring reliable, high-performance fleet capability.
The 20 three-year-old A60Hs join Blackwell’s existing 14 A60H units, making the company the operator of Europe’s largest A60H fleet. In total, the contractor now runs more than 100 Volvo articulated haulers, including A30s and A45s – all powered by Euro Tier IV engines.
The A60H, Volvo’s largest hauler with a 55-tonne payload, continues to be a standout performer within the fleet and a firm favourite of Blackwell managing director Niall Fraser.
‘Investing in the Volvo A60H for our HS2 project was the best decision we didn’t have to think twice about,’ he explained. ‘Having satisfied ourselves of their suitability for the project, it was a no-brainer, simply because of the economies of scale that higher payload trucks realise. This directly translates to greater productivity and, therefore, improved environmental performance.’
Blackwell are also improving fleet efficiency through digital earthworks, using drone mapping and 3D modelling to optimize haul routes, match loading and hauling units, and cut unnecessary fuel use, emissions, and machine wear. Several projects now run haulers on HVO as a low-carbon diesel alternative, and all Volvo units operate with lean-burn, low-emission Euro Tier IV engines.
Each of the newly delivered used haulers has undergone a full inspection and service programme to ensure they perform to a near-new standard. The machines are backed by an extended warranty and a Level 3 Customer Support Agreement (L3 CSA), giving Blackwell fixed, predictable costs for scheduled maintenance and major component repairs throughout the contract.
The L3 CSA also includes Volvo CareTrack telematics and SMT ProCare remote monitoring, allowing SMT to shift from reactive fixes to proactive, data-driven maintenance. This approach maximizes uptime, safeguards component life, and supports the contractor’s demanding delivery schedules across major UK infrastructure projects.
For Blackwell, investing in approved used Volvo haulers from SMT GB forms a practical step in their wider drive to decarbonize operations without sacrificing capability. While the business continues to explore electric excavators and haulers for future deployment, extending the life of high-performance existing units offers an immediate and effective way to cut embodied carbon.
Mr Fraser concluded: ‘We aim to make practical, data-driven choices that deliver the best results for our clients and the environment.’
