09 Sept 2025
M2 ADG – The Legend That Started It All
Every petrolhead has that one machine—the one that isn’t just steel and rubber, but the very heartbeat of a dream. For Richard Hall, that machine was a Volvo FH12 420, registration M2 ADG. Not just a truck—this was the truck that launched a career, turned a 22-year-old lad into a bona fide haulier, and built the foundation of what would become Richard Hall Ltd.
From Tree Jobs to Heavy Haulage Hero
Originally rolling out of the showroom brand-new in 1995, this beast started life with Alan Greenwood’s Contractors, tasked with a serious job: moving their Komatsu Longreach excavators to sites across the UK. A proper workhorse, earning its keep day in, day out.
Three years later, destiny called. Richard, then a young and ambitious groundworks contractor, took the plunge and bought M2 ADG as his first-ever truck. At 22 years old, he was over the moon—owning a truck that was only three years old? That was the big leagues! And not just any truck—a Volvo FH12 420, a name that still makes 90s haulage veterans nod in respect.
420 Horses of Pure Swedish Muscle
Let’s talk specs—because this was no slouch. Under that iconic FH cab sat a 12-litre straight-six churning out 420 horsepower and enough torque to pull down a small planet. In the mid-90s, that was proper pulling power. With a 6x4 double-drive axle setup and a manual gearbox, this was a driver’s truck. No automated luxuries, just raw control, grit, and gear-shifting satisfaction.
At a time when the FH12 500 was just making its way onto the scene, the 420 was the workhorse everyone relied on—smaller cab, lighter gross weight, and built to graft. Perfect for hauling plant machinery, low loaders, and yes, the occasional bulk load across the UK.
The One That Got Away
Richard worked M2 ADG hard—long days, heavy loads, and countless motorway miles. But in 2003, progress knocked on the door, and with it, the temptation of a shiny new upgrade. M2 was sold, and Richard drove away in something newer, faster… and instantly regretted it.
You know that saying: you never forget your first love? Well, Richard didn’t. For 17 years, he thought about that truck. Wondered where it ended up. Then, in 2020, fate delivered.
Reunited After Two Decades
Amazingly, M2 ADG was still alive and kicking. Apart from a bit of signwriting, the old girl hadn’t changed much. She’d been working under Agriworks, earning her keep just as she always had. A deal was struck, and Richard brought her home.
With a bit of TLC, the old FH12 roared back into life. Today, she serves as a yard shunter, moving trailers and materials around the Richard Hall Ltd yard. But the story doesn’t end there—oh no. A full restoration and respray are on the cards, and when that happens, M2 will shine once again, ready to turn heads at shows and Retro Truck events.
Not Just a Truck, But a Legend
M2 ADG isn’t a show queen… yet. But don’t think for a second she hasn’t had her moment in the spotlight. Over the years, she’s been painted in commissioned Volvo artwork, featured in publications, and captured the imagination of those who love trucks with stories.
Nearly 30 years since she first hit the road, M2 ADG is more than just metal—it’s history on wheels, a rolling testament to hard work, ambition, and the kind of passion only true truckers understand.
So, next time you’re at a retro festival, keep your eyes peeled. That gleaming Volvo FH12 with the M2 ADG plate? That’s not just a truck—that’s a chapter of Richard’s life, a piece of 90s haulage history, and the one that started it all.
Stoke Row Steam Rally - 13th & 14th June 2025
Our amazing team display drew the biggest crowd of the steam rally as we demonstrated our amazing machinery, skilled personnel and site clearance services.
View the images below from the weekend!
