Supplied by dealer Orwell Truck & Van, the 32-tonne, 8x4/4 Arocs 3251 ENAs have single front-steer axles, double-drive bogies and rear-steer axles, giving them a tighter turning circle than a standard construction eight-wheeler.
All have 12.8-litre engines which produce 503bhp and drive through PowerShift automated transmissions.
The 26-tonne, 6x2/4 Econic 2635 L ENA is also equipped with a rear-steer axle, for improved manoeuvrability.
MTS Suction has delivered the first Arocs, a left-hand drive version (pictured), to Vac-Ex, of Doncaster. The operator is also due to receive another two, identical trucks before the end of the year. The remaining four Arocs have all been specified in right-hand drive form, for use by a multinational infrastructure group.
The Econic has been built for another operator of suction excavation equipment, based in Chesterfield. This company chose the low-entry chassis for its Direct Vision safety credentials.
“We are client led when it comes to vehicle marque, and this is the first time we’ve sourced Mercedes-Benz chassis here in the UK, rather than from Germany,” says Russell Fairhurst, MTS Suction’s UK managing director.
“The experience of working with Orwell Truck & Van has been entirely positive... We couldn’t have asked for more,” he adds.
Vac-Ex proprietor John Mee says: “We run a mixed-marque fleet currently, but moving forward will only be buying Mercedes-Benz trucks... experience has proved the Arocs to be exceptionally reliable and cost effective to operate.”