It looks as though it was built for the new “Thunderbirds Are Go” TV series – instead this state-of-the-art mobile vacuum cleaning vehicle is now playing a starring role in the fleet of Scottish operator Enviro-Clean.
Based on an 8×4 Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3245 chassis supplied by Central Belt Dealer Western Commercial, the Disab Centurion LN20/HT body has its own auxiliary engine and compressor, 12,000-litre tank, and 200mm-diameter hose system.
It is typically used to clean up spillages or empty tanks in a wide variety of industrial applications – the machine is capable of sucking up liquid, slurry or dry materials by vacuum at a pressure of -950 millibars, then either blowing them out again or simply tipping to empty its contents.
The East Kilbride company’s new truck wears a dazzling ‘vortex’ corporate livery, designed and applied by GT4 Group, of Hamilton. Prior to entering service it was among the most striking exhibits on display at the recent Tip-Ex and Tank-Ex show in Harrogate.
The 32-tonne Mercedes-Benz is powered by an advanced 12.8-litre straight-six engine, which generates 330 kW (449 hp) and drives through a Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated transmission. It is the subject of a Mercedes-Benz Repair and Maintenance Contract and will be maintained in Western Commercial’s Bellshill workshop.
“The Arocs was recommended by Swedish manufacturer Disab,” said Enviro-Clean Transport Manager Findlay Robertson. “The chassis is an excellent ‘fit’ for their equipment, because it conforms so well to their specifications.
“It was also keenly priced compared to other brands and because we already run an eight-wheeled Arocs tipper we have every confidence that it will prove highly reliable and very cost-effective to operate.”
Mr Robertson continued: “The truck certainly looks the part too, and with its raised ride height and robust build quality is clearly able to cope comfortably with rough site conditions.”
Disab machines are used worldwide to undertake large industrial cleaning projects in power stations, petro-chemical plants, cement and food plants and utilities. They are capable of sucking dry powders, stone and heavy sludges, and are used in many different industries – much like Mercedes-Benz trucks, they are widely seen as the benchmark in their field.
The Arocs is now hard at work Enviro-Clean and tackling waste water jobs such as cleaning tanks and removing large build-ups of grit and sludge in sewage treatment works.
“However, given the versatility of the Disab and the Arocs chassis, we’ll be using the vehicle to undertake many different types of work for customers from other industries,” he said.
As Enviro-Clean’s nominated CPC holder, Mr Robertson manages a fleet of 90 vehicles – as well as vacuum tankers, these include tractor units, tippers and vans kitted out for drain jetting or remote camera inspections – and a 14-strong workshop team.
Enviro-Clean provides waste management and cleaning services for domestic, commercial and industrial customers across the whole of Scotland and northern England.
The muscular Mercedes-Benz Arocs range comprises tractor units 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 clean-burning Euro VI engines displacing from 7.7 to 15.6 litres.
Western Commercial sells and supports the entire Mercedes-Benz Truck and Van line-up, including specialist vehicles such as heavy haulage units and the incredibly versatile Unimog off-road range, along with FUSO Canter light trucks, from sites in Bellshill, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Dealer also offers round-the-clock workshop support and emergency roadside assistance, as well as a host of other services.
