MHW Magazine News and stories from the Materials Handling Industry
Owner-driver Gary Hunt tracked down the next best thing to a new Mercedes-Benz tipper, when he picked up an ex-demonstrator from Dealer Rygor Commercials.
After a month on the road the Arocs eight-wheeler had already made a big impression on its Essex-based owner. “It’s a lovely truck all round, but particularly good when it comes to fuel efficiency,” reported Mr Hunt, who trades as GCH Haulage.
“I’m saving at least £100 a week on diesel. Not only is the Arocs a lot more economical than the Swedish-built truck it’s replaced, but it’s also better than any vehicle I’ve owned previously.”
Although two years old, the Arocs 3240 had just 35,000 km on the clock when Mr Hunt purchased it from Rygor’s reigning Mercedes-Benz Used Truck Sales Manager of the Year Roy Simpson, who arranged competitive funding from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Like all vehicles sold under the manufacturer’s Approved Used banner, it had undergone a nut-and-bolt inspection by factory-trained technicians, and came with six months’ MoT and six months’ Mechanical Breakdown Insurance.
The muscular Mercedes-Benz Arocs range is purpose-designed for construction-related applications. GCH Haulage’s truck is powered by a 10.7-litre, straight-six engine generating 290 kW (400 hp), and has a ClassicSpace M-Cab with 170mm engine tunnel. Optional extras include the fuel-saving Predictive Powertrain Control system, leather-upholstered seats, a high-performance engine brake, and Alcoa alloy wheels.
Fitted with a steel Thompsons Loadmaster tipping body, the truck works mainly within a 40-mile radius of the operator’s base in Rainham, although it occasionally travels further afield. “We undertake a range of jobs,” explained Mr Hunt, who also owns a second 8×4 tipper. “Most of it is muckaway work, with the rest being aggregates at the moment.”
Although this is GCH Haulage’s first Arocs, Mr Hunt is no stranger to the three-pointed star. “I ran a 10-plate Axor tipper some years ago,” he recalled. “That was very good on fuel too. I had four trucks at the time and it was the best by a margin, a really nice lorry but better suited to lighter, on-road duties.
“When the Arocs came out I attended a demonstration and it was clear from the start that here was a vehicle designed with my kind of work in mind. I said there and then that if one came along at the right price, I’d snap it up.
“I’m certainly glad I did, because it’s a great drive. I received some excellent advice from Rygor’s driver-trainer Chris Moore on how to get the best from the Mercedes PowerShift automated transmission and Predictive Powertrain Control technology, and this is obviously contributing to the savings I’m making. It all adds up to a perfect package.”
Rygor’s Roy Simpson added: “Our commitment to Setting Standards means we will work just as hard to find the very best used tipper for an owner-driver like Gary Hunt, as we would to tie up the sale of a large fleet to a national operator. We’ll go the extra mile for every one of our valued customers, which includes providing them with the support and advice they need to ensure their Mercedes-Benz equipment performs as well as possible.”
