Welcome To The Fleet, Goliath!

David Watson Transport’s New Powerhouse Truck – Goliath.

Kicking off 2024 with a new (and very brightly coloured) edition to the DWT fleet. Meet Goliath, the new 8×4 beast hitting the roads. The FH16, is designed for demanding tasks that require extra power and torque. Crafted for heavy-duty assignments its D17 engine ensures optimal performance and fuel efficiency – perfect for the jobs Goliath will be tasked with. The FH16 provides a cabin designed for ultimate comfort, space and utility – ideal for those long hauls and journeys.

With up to 780 hp, sturdy axles and a comfortable cab, the FH16 is an all-around beast of a truck. The Volvo FH16, with its fuel efficiency and massive torque, is the perfect match for heavy transports and demanding assignments, thanks to the D17, the most powerful engine ever put in a Volvo truck. So, why isn’t this truck the same colour as the rest of the fleet? The stand-out orange colour of this truck are the demo colours from Volvo. With an eye-catching design already on the truck, all that was left was to add the DWT signage and number plate. Since this is a flagship truck now part of the DWT fleet, it was a great idea to have this standout from the rest and make a bold statement when hitting the roads.

V32 driver, Lance Barrett, commenced the journey on the 7th of February from the Earls Colne depot to John Hudson Trailers, in Doncaster, to hook up to a Broshuis 6 axle double ext trailer. This trailer would be used for the whole operation, due to the weight & size of each unit being transported. The 6-axle trailer is equipped with independent suspension and therefore has the lowest loading floor of its kind. For this project, it is therefore the trailer of choice. In addition to the low loading floor, the trailer is very stable thanks to its hydro suspension, which means it remains straight at all times. Essential for high loads.

8th of February, Lance made his way to the Port of Liverpool, to pick up the first 80,000kg excavator unit. Early morning – pouring down with rain, cold and wet, not the most ideal of weather conditions to be in; however, the loading operation went off without a hitch.

From the port of Liverpool, Terry (BR escort driver) escorted Lance to Lostock Sustainable Energy Plants (Northwich). Considering this is the heaviest move DWT has ever done, this was a great achievement all around.

9th of February, Lance and Terry loaded up the second unit, weight in at 80,000kg. While ready to make their way to Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant, the operation got postponed as another haulier had issues with the same unit, resulting in the job being postponed to Sunday also.

Sunday 10th, the job was back on, with the ground all levelled out on site, Lance and Terry made their way back to Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant to deliver the second unit. The following weekend, another 80,000kg unit was loaded onto V32, this time with driver Craig Woodrow, assisted by Shaun Teer, and escorted (along with the police) by Bradley Anderson Grant. Loading up from Ellesmere Port, to head to Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant, the third unit was delivered late Saturday afternoon. Overall, this was a great first few jobs for Goliath. With Lance getting a feel for his new truck, we’re all keen to see what the pair will embark on. Keep your eyes peeled for Goliath on the road and at work.

“While we already operate a number of STGO CAT 2 vehicles, we’ve encountered client demands for load capacities that surpass this classification, demands we were previously unable to fulfil. This gap in our service offerings has led us to strategically acquire a CAT 3 vehicle, a move that significantly broadens our heavy haulage capabilities and ensures that we can accommodate the full spectrum of our clients’ needs.

The choice to equip our CAT 3 vehicle with a Broshuis trailer for its inaugural job was an obvious one; our fleet already benefits from a large selection of specialist Broshuis trailers, which have proven to be invaluable assets in enhancing our operational efficiency and reliability. This expansion into CAT 3 heavy haulage is a clear reflection of our dedication to delivering the exceptional service quality that our clients have come to expect from us, now across an even more comprehensive range of haulage capacities.” – Mark Watson.