Davie Davidson is an international reader from the UK who reached out to us to share his current pride and joy: a 2014 Volvo FH 540 6×2 tag-axle rigid with a Palfinger Epsilon timber loader coupled to a Robinson drawbar trailer. The unit operates at 44 tonnes GCM and can carry just under 26 tonnes of roundwood. Davie has been driving trucks in the UK since 1983 (his first gig, general haulage, was in a Volvo F7). He bought his first truck in 1988, a Scania 112 (330hp) pulling a flatbed on general haulage, and, having done a variety of different trucking jobs in different vehicles, he entered logging in 2001. Later this year Davie will say goodbye to his trusty FH, probably replacing it with a Scania. Clearly, Davie likes his Swedish brands. “I would find it hard to have a favourite truck as I have been lucky and driven a few really good Volvos and Scanias.

But the newer ones are less reliable, with problems with exhaust emissions systems.” The Scottish driver moves 5- to 20-foot long timber to local sawmills, doing three or four loads a day over 12 hours or so. “The best part of my job is probably not having to deal with delays and motorway traffic on the UK‘s congested roads, enjoying the stunning local scenery and also being home every night, having spent years away from home driving all over western Europe,” says Davie. “I think now I have my ideal job, but I would like to be able to travel to New Zealand, Canada and North America to see their log truck industries first-hand.” Asked whether he would like to go on holiday on safari in Africa or tackle the urban jungle of New York, Davie says, “well, the safari would win that one”.

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