Supplied by dealer S & B Commercials, the Antos 2530 has an M ClassicSpace cab and is powered by an advanced 299bhp engine driving through a 12-speed PowerShift automated transmission.
It has a Heil compactor body, which was removed from a previous truck, then refurbished and fitted to the Mercedes chassis by Refuse Vehicle Solutions. It is capable of lifting trade waste bins with capacities of up to 1,100 litres.
“The new generation of Mercedes-Benz trucks have been receiving a lot of positive publicity, while the Antos was also recommended by RVS, so we thought we’d give it a go,” says Tony Anderson, resources coordinator for the Essex-based operator.
“These are still early days, of course, but the mpg returns are very encouraging.”
The truck also has driver appeal, he adds, and the driver loves his new Mercedes-Benz. “I’ve taken the wheel myself,” says Anderson, “and it’s a very nice, driver-friendly truck – well laid out and comfortable, with a really good ride.
“I particularly like the automated transmission, which has a Creep mode but can also be switched off if the driver prefers for low-speed manoeuvring.”
The truck is being inspected and serviced under a seven-year R&M contract by the workshop team at S & B Commercials’ Thurrock branch.