The new Volvo VHD raises the bar on what it takes to be a great vocational truck.

For decades conventional wisdom said vocational truck drivers and owners only cared about dependability. Considerations like safety, efficiency, comfort, and body design couldn’t be part of the decision when choosing a dump truck or mixer. Volvo Trucks’ engineering team decided to ignore conventional wisdom when they began work on the new Volvo VHD series. They set out to build a vocational truck that has it all.

THE TOUGHEST TRUCK, FOR THE TOUGHEST JOBS

Whether you need tight maneuverability for straight-truck applications like concrete pumpers and mixers or a bridge-law compliant wheelbase for an end-dump tractor, the VHD offers the versatility to meet your needs with available axle-forward and axle-back configurations. The VHD’s new LED headlamps link the truck visually to the recent body design evolutions in the VNL and VNR models. Not only do the new headlamps illuminate a job site better and throw more light down the road, but they also shape light, so less glare spills into oncoming vehicles, making the road safer for everyone. While the sun is up, the VHD’s daylight running lamps shine brighter with a graphic signature familiar to the Volvo Trucks family. When the turn signal is active, the white daytime running lamp shifts to high-visibility amber to signal a turn, a touch associated with premium vehicles. Also, the new headlamp boasts a longer life than incandescent and halogen lights. A thick bezel around the sealed headlamp provides protection and durability.

Other significant design upgrades are also clear to see. The rugged, stamped-steel bumper comes in three pieces, so a ding on one corner doesn’t require the replacement of the entire bumper. The new, faceted design integrates with the overall grille refresh for a more visually cohesive look.

Integrated into the bumper design is a new center tow pin, a customer-requested feature. It incorporates a sturdy connection to the chassis frame, permitting a towing capacity of up to 80,000 pounds.

It’s one thing to look at the part, but the new VHD was also built to do its part. The Volvo I-Shift with Crawler Gears adds one or two extra low gears to the standard 12-speed transmission. It enables the highest weight capacity in an automated manual transmission, ensuring torque and starting power under the heaviest loads and on extreme terrain. The 14-speed transmission can propel the truck at speeds as low as 0.6 mph for curb pours or other common speed maneuvers.

Additionally, the heavy-duty T-Ride suspension creates sure-footed traction. Using trunnion-mounted springs and rubber towers, the suspension applies constant pressure on the drive wheels to keep them solidly on the ground. Nylon bushings, sealed V-rods, and torque rods provide continuous performance with less maintenance.

The new Volvo VHD combines power and advanced technology, achieving the engineering team’s original goal—set a new standard for vocational trucks. With the new design, the VHD is now the best-looking vocational vehicle available, while the innovations found throughout the truck make it much more than eye candy.