Lincoln-based GS Hughes is running its first Mercedes-Benz tippers for at least 15 years – and the dozen new eight-wheelers from the muscular, Euro VI Arocs range have been quick to impress.
Supplied by city Dealer Intercounty Truck & Van, the Arocs 3240s are powered by 290 kW (394 hp) straight-six engines, driving through smooth-shifting Mercedes PowerShift automated transmissions, and are fitted with steel Thompsons bodies. They have made such an impact that the operator has already returned with a second order for five more, identical vehicles.
GS Hughes runs quarries in Lincoln and Grantham and supplies a range of stone and aggregates. It also has waste washing facilities, for recycling sand and gravel, and provides muckaway services to construction and civil engineering contractors.
The new 32-tonners have joined a mixed fleet of 30 six- and eight-wheeled tippers. “Mercedes-Benz has always made good vehicles but for many years it didn’t offer a model that we felt was suited to our kind of work,” observed Transport Manager John Barker.
“Not any more though. Before purchasing these vehicles we carried out a lot of research, which included speaking to other operators in our sector who were already running Arocs chassis. Their unanimous verdict was that the new truck is well-built, reliable, efficient and definitely fit for purpose.
“Intercounty Truck & Van sales executive Stuart Smiles brought a demonstrator over for us to look at, and it was immediately obvious that a lot of thought had gone into its design. The ride height and the way that damage-prone items are positioned out of harm’s way help to make this a vehicle that is completely at home in quarries and on construction sites.”
Mr Barker continued: “Our new Arocs are already living up to their promise and performing very well, with fuel efficiency another pleasing factor. Our work is so varied that comparing one vehicle against another is quite meaningless, but these Mercedes-Benz trucks are clearly more economical than our other trucks, and by a clear margin.
“Intercounty’s service is excellent too – we maintain our own vehicles in-house but the dealer is supporting our workshop with regular deliveries of parts, which are also keenly priced compared to the competition.”
The Euro VI Arocs range comprises tractors and four-, six- and eight-wheeled rigids, with gross weights from 18 to 250 tonnes. All combine previously unseen levels of performance and efficiency with state-of-the-art Euro VI engines, driving through Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated transmissions, which offer mpg savings of up to 5% compared to equivalent, outgoing models.
