Head to head
Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip vs Volvo FMX 540
The Volvo FMX 540 has 378kW more power and carries 17 tonnes more.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the Volvo FMX 540 has 378kW more power.
- Payload: the Volvo FMX 540 carries 17 tonnes more.
Specifications side by side
| Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip | Volvo FMX 540 | |
|---|---|---|
| Payload | 3000 kg | 20,000kg |
| Engine power | 24.8kW (33.2 bhp) @ 2800rpm | 540bhp (D13, Euro 6) |
| Heaped capacity | 1680 litres | - |
| Engine | Yanmar 3TNV88 | - |
| Gross weight | - | 32,000kg (32 tonne) |
| Axles | - | 8x4 |
Sources: Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip, Volvo FMX 540. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the 3 Tonne Front Tip if...
A mid-size front tip dumper for groundworks, drainage and general muck shifting on UK sites where a 3 tonne payload is enough. Sits between the 1 tonne hi-tip and the 6 tonne dumpers in the Thwaites range.
Full 3 Tonne Front Tip specifications →Buy or hire the FMX 540 if...
- you want one that has 378kW more power
- you want one that carries 17 tonnes more
A heavy construction truck for muckaway and aggregate haulage contractors who need an 8-wheel tipper or tipper-grab body on a chassis built for site conditions rather than motorway haulage. The high-output D13 engine suits loaded running on soft or hilly access roads.
Listed by
- McGovern Plant Hire - Hounslow, Cranford
Common questions
What is the difference between the Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip and the Volvo FMX 540?
The Volvo FMX 540 has 378kW more power and carries 17 tonnes more. The Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip is a 3 tonne front tip site dumper; the Volvo FMX 540 is a 540bhp 8x4 heavy tipper/grab truck.
Which carries more, the Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip or the Volvo FMX 540?
The Volvo FMX 540, by 17 tonnes.
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