Its latest factory-built 8x4 Arocs 3240 ENA has a front steer axle, double-drive bogies and a trailing and lifting rear-steer axle, making it much more manoeuvrable than a standard 32-tonne eight-wheeler.
“This configuration is ideally suited to an operation that involves delivering bulk animal feed to farms across North and Mid-Wales, because access to some of these locations can be very restricted,” comments Wynnstay logistics manager Zak Edwards.
“The Arocs Triple offers the payload capacity of a 32-tonner, but has a significantly tighter turning circle that allows it to get in and out of places where we’d previously had to use a 26-tonner,” he explains.
“The result is increased productivity and reduced cost – these eight-wheeled Arocs will carry 18.5 tonnes of feed, as opposed to the 15 tonnes on a six-wheeler.
“That additional 3.0—3.5 tonnes equates to an extra delivery per trip.”
Both of Wynnstay’s Mercedes Arocs Triples operate out of the firm’s HQ in Llansantffraid, Powys – the latest having been delivered via the Wellingborough, Northamptonshire branch of dealer Intercounty Truck & Van.
Both were specified with the ClassicSpace cab and the 400bhp straight-six engine, driving through Mercedes 12-speed PowerShift AMTs (automated manual transmissions).
They have the uprated 9.0-tonne front axles and were bodied by Priden Engineering with all-aluminium, bulk blower bodies, with multiple compartments as well as augers.
“The Arocs is a very modern, cost-effective vehicle, and has definitely put Mercedes-Benz one step ahead of the competition,” states Edwards.
“These Triples are every bit as well built as you’d expect of a vehicle bearing the three-pointed star. The first has been bullet-proof. You would normally expect the odd niggle from a new truck, but in 12 months of operation it hasn’t missed a beat.”
Wynnstay is maintaining the vehicles in its own workshop, which was recently upgraded with the installation of a test bay equipped to DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) standards, with a 25-metre pit, brake tester, shaker plates and headlight beam adjustor.