VOLVO FH 540 6x4 CRANE TRUCK FOR HIRE & SALE |
PALFINGER PK 88
VOLVO FH 540 6x4 CRANE TRUCK FOR HIRE & SALE |
Ready for UK Crane Truck Hire & Fleet Expansion
For operators looking for a heavy-duty crane truck for hire or sale, this latest Volvo FH 540 from MV Commercial combines a high-capacity Palfinger loader crane, a construction-focused 6x4 chassis and an all-new bespoke side-skirt design.
The Volvo FH 540 6x4 with Palfinger PK 88 is a heavy-duty crane truck designed for operators who need serious lifting capability combined with the flexibility of an articulated tractor unit.
Built around Volvo's FH 540 6x4 high chassis, the truck combines a 540hp D13K engine, I-Shift automated transmission and heavy-duty tandem drive axles with a high-capacity Palfinger loader crane. The result is a specialist crane truck for hire or sale suited to construction, infrastructure, plant transport, machinery movement and specialist haulage applications.
This latest build also introduces MV Commercial's new side-skirt design, giving the finished crane tractor a significantly cleaner and more integrated appearance while retaining the hard-working specification required from a specialist lifting vehicle.
For operators searching for a Palfinger crane truck, Volvo crane truck or heavy-duty crane truck for hire or sale in the UK, the FH 540 PK 88 delivers lifting capacity, reach and specialist engineering in one complete package.
Technical Specifications & Features
The Volvo FH 540 combines a 6x4 N3 high chassis with a Palfinger PK 88 loader crane, construction-focused driveline and bespoke MV Commercial finishing.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the cab, chassis, driveline, crane and specialist equipment.
Cab Features
The Volvo FH 540 is equipped with a Globetrotter cab, providing the space and equipment required for operators travelling between jobs and working across the UK.
- Cab: Volvo FH Globetrotter
- Construction: All-steel safety cage design
- Safety Compliance: Designed to Swedish impact and ECE R29 requirements
- Steering: Volvo Dynamic Steering
- Climate Control: Electrically controlled air conditioning with carbon filter and air-quality sensors
- Parking Heater: 1.8kW air-to-air cab heater
- Sleeping Package: Living Two-Bed+
- Lower Bunk: Reclining bunk with 815mm wide centre section
- Upper Bunk: Height-adjustable 700 x 1900mm bunk
- Fridge: 33-litre under-bunk fridge with freezer dividers
- Instrumentation: 12-inch fully dynamic instrument cluster
- Audio: DAB, AM/FM radio with six-speaker system
- Interior Lighting: White and red night LEDs with dimmer
Why it Matters: A heavy crane truck often spends as much time travelling between sites as it does lifting. The Globetrotter specification gives the driver a proper long-distance working environment without compromising the truck's specialist capabilities.
Chassis & Driveline
The crane is mounted on a Volvo FH 540 6x4 N3 high chassis, selected to provide the structural capacity and driveline performance required for heavy-duty crane work.
- Chassis: Volvo FH 540 6x4 N3 High
- Wheelbase: 3,900mm
- Design GCW: 70 tonnes at chassis level
- Operating Conditions: On-road and off-road
- Transport Cycle: Service and construction
- Engine: Volvo D13K540
- Capacity: 12.8 litres
- Maximum Power: 540hp
- Peak Torque: 2,600Nm at 1,000 to 1,450rpm
- Emissions: Euro VI Step E
- Transmission: AT2612 12-speed I-Shift automated transmission
- Drive Axles: RTS2370A 23-tonne single-reduction tandem
- Drive Axle Ratio: 2.83:1
- Rear Suspension: Air
- Front Suspension: Three-leaf parabolic springs
- Rear Bogie Capacity: 23 tonnes
The driveline also incorporates construction and off-road I-Shift software, heavy-duty transmission output torque, I-Roll and I-Cruise functions and an extra-high-performance transmission oil cooler.
Why it Matters: A PK 88 installation places considerably greater demands on the chassis than a conventional tractor unit. The 6x4 configuration, tandem drive bogie and construction-focused driveline provide the foundation required for demanding lifting and specialist transport work.
Palfinger PK 88 Loader Crane
At the centre of the build is the Palfinger PK 88, providing high lifting capacity across a substantial working radius.
The crane can lift as follows:
- 17,400kg at 4.3m
- 12,500kg at 5.9m
- 9,500kg at 7.6m
- 7,500kg at 9.4m
- 6,100kg at 11.3m
- 5,100kg at 13.4m
- 4,350kg at 15.5m
The load chart also identifies a maximum crane capacity of 27,200kg, depending on operating configuration and working radius.
The crane is configured with six hydraulic extensions, providing progressive hydraulic outreach for jobs where the truck cannot be positioned immediately beside the load.
Why it Matters: Maximum crane capacity only tells part of the story. For real-world crane truck operations, the amount a crane can lift as outreach increases is critical. Retaining 4,350kg of lifting capacity at 15.5 metres makes this truck particularly capable for construction, machinery movement and specialist lift-and-shift applications.
PTO & Hydraulic System
Operating a crane of this size requires a driveline and hydraulic system designed around the loader crane installation.
The Volvo is equipped with:
- PTO Type: Gearbox-driven medium-speed PTO
- Application: Plug-in hydraulic pump
- PTO Torque Capacity: 600Nm
- PTO Control: Position on/off switch
- Transmission: Reinforced gearbox application
- Transmission Cooling: Extra-high-performance air-to-oil cooler
Why it Matters: The hydraulic system is fundamental to crane performance. Correct integration between the PTO, pump, transmission and loader crane ensures the vehicle can deliver the hydraulic power required for demanding lifting operations.
Heavy-Duty Chassis Construction
The FH chassis is configured specifically for demanding specialist applications.
- Frame Section Height: 300mm
- Frame Thickness: 8mm web and flange
- Frame Inner Liner: Front of chassis through to bogie end
- Rear Suspension: Air
- Brake System: EBS with hill-hold function
- Steering: Volvo Dynamic Steering with stability assist
- Fuel Tank: 405-litre aluminium
- AdBlue Tank: 64 litres
- Rear Lighting: LED
- Trailer Brake Connections: C and CA type
- Trailer Electrical Connection: Twin 7-pin 24N and 24S
Why it Matters: Heavy loader crane installation requires careful consideration of chassis strength, axle loading, suspension and component positioning. These elements work together to create a complete specialist vehicle rather than simply mounting a crane behind a standard tractor cab.
Wheels & Tyres
The Volvo FH 540 combines heavy-duty tyre specification with Alcoa Dura-Bright aluminium wheels.
- Wheels: Alcoa Dura-Bright aluminium
- Front Tyres: 385/65 R22.5
- Front Tread: Goodyear KMax S Gen-2 HL
- Drive Tyres: 315/80 R22.5
- Drive Tread: Goodyear KMax D Gen-2
- Application: Regional, long-haul and high-load operation
Why it Matters: The wheel and tyre package complements the specialist chassis specification while the polished Alcoa wheels give the finished crane truck a premium appearance.
New MV Commercial Side-Skirt Design
One of the most distinctive features of this Volvo FH 540 is the brand-new MV Commercial side-skirt design.
Unlike a conventional crane tractor where tanks, chassis components and specialist equipment can dominate the side profile, the new design creates a much cleaner visual line between the cab and rear bogie.
The original Volvo chassis specification was supplied without factory side guards, side steps or chassis-mounted toolboxes in this area, leaving the specialist bodybuilder installation to be developed around the completed crane configuration.
MV's finished design transforms that area of the truck, giving the FH 540 a much more integrated appearance while visually tying the crane installation into the rest of the tractor unit.
Combined with the white finish, Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels and red Palfinger crane, the result is a specialist truck with significantly more road presence than a conventional crane tractor.
Why it Matters: Specialist vehicles are highly visible business assets. The new side-skirt design allows operators to combine serious lifting capability with a truck that provides a much stronger platform for company branding and fleet presentation.
Safety & Driver Assistance
The Volvo FH also incorporates a range of safety and vehicle control systems.
- Electronic Stability Control
- Active Grip traction control
- Forward Collision Warning
- AEBS Advanced Emergency Braking
- Lane Departure Warning
- Corrective Steering
- Volvo Dynamic Steering
- EBS braking
- Hill Hold
- Reverse Alarm
- Thatcham H2 Approved Immobiliser
Why it Matters: Combining a heavy crane with an articulated tractor requires a stable and predictable driving platform. Volvo's steering, braking and stability systems support the driver during both normal road use and demanding site operations.
Built for Construction & Specialist Transport
The Volvo FH 540 PK 88 is particularly suited to operators working across:
- Construction and civil engineering
- Plant and machinery transport
- Utilities and infrastructure
- Cabin and container movement
- Heavy building materials
- Specialist haulage
- Lift-and-shift operations
- Heavy equipment installation
- Articulated crane transport
As an articulated crane truck, the vehicle also gives operators the flexibility to couple to different trailer configurations rather than being restricted to one fixed body.
This can make a crane tractor unit particularly valuable for fleets handling changing loads and specialist contracts.
Built at MV Commercial's Grantham Manufacturing Facility
MV Commercial's Grantham facility provides the specialist engineering capability required to develop vehicles such as the FH 540 PK 88.
The operation includes:
- Robotic fabrication and welding
- In-house chassis preparation
- Crane installation
- Body assembly and finishing
- Dedicated crane truck production lines
- In-house design and engineering
- Paint facilities
- Crane refurbishment
- LOLER testing facilities
- Specialist articulated vehicle production
Why it Matters: Bringing design, fabrication, crane installation and finishing together gives MV Commercial greater control over the complete specialist build and allows vehicles to be developed around the intended application.
Why Choose MV Commercial for Your UK Crane Truck Hire & Sales Needs?
MV Commercial provides specialist crane truck hire, leasing and sales solutions for businesses throughout the UK.
Whether you need a truck for a new contract, additional short-term fleet capacity or a long-term specialist vehicle, MV can help develop a solution around your operational requirements.
- Crane Trucks for Hire: Flexible solutions for changing workloads and contracts
- Crane Trucks for Sale: Ready to Go stock and specialist-built vehicles
- Specialist Engineering: In-house design, fabrication and crane installation
- Manufacturer Independent: Vehicle specifications developed around the application
- UK-Wide Support: Nationwide depot and service coverage
- Bespoke Builds: Crane, chassis, bodywork and equipment configured around your operation
MV Commercial's specialist vehicle operation combines in-house engineering with hire, lease and sales capability, supporting operators from initial vehicle specification through to the completed crane truck.
For businesses searching for a Volvo crane truck for hire, Palfinger crane truck for sale or heavy-duty crane truck for fleet expansion, the Volvo FH 540 6x4 with Palfinger PK 88 provides an impressive combination of lifting capacity, reach, driveline performance and bespoke specialist engineering.
Contact MV Commercial today to discuss crane truck hire, crane trucks for sale or the specification of your next bespoke crane vehicle.
Brownsburn Industrial Estate,
Airdrie,
ML6 9SE