Nelson targets efficiency with new Actros tractors 23 September 2013

Fuel savings from its first Mercedes-Benz New Actros tractor unit are set to be magnified, for Nelson Distribution, by the vehicle's automatically adjusting ActivFreddie air deflector.

The operator's New Actros 2545 BigSpace is powered by a 450bhp straight-six, mated to a Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated transmission. Supplied by Derby Dealer Mertrux, it has joined a Mercedes-Benz-dominated fleet of more than 30 vehicles – the majority 6x2 tractor units – and 70 trailers.

Managing director Simon Nelson says he placed the order during a visit to Mercedes-Benz's stand at this year's Commercial Vehicle Show.

"I'd heard some very positive reports about the fuel efficiency of the New Actros and as soon as I sat in a BigSpace cab I made up my mind there and then," he recalls.

Nelson's decision to specify the cab roof-mounted ActivFreddie reflects the differing heights of the trailers that the truck will be pulling.

"Most are standard boxes and curtainsiders," explains Nelson. "But we also have some tall, 4.7m and 4.8m trailers that we use for automotive contracts, as well as some double-deckers assigned to our Palletforce work."

Developed by Hatcher Components with Mercedes-Benz and Cranfield University, ActivFreddie uses a sensor that detects the trailer's height and automatically adjusts the spoiler accordingly.

Meanwhile, pressure sensor monitoring allows the deflector continuously to optimise its position relative to changing wind speed and direction, while the vehicle is on the move.

Tests suggest that ActivFreddie delivers an 11% fuel saving when pulling a 4.95m refrigerated trailer at 50mph, compared to a unit fitted with a fixed deflector.

Before confirming its order, Nelson also carried out its own tests using one of its Actros MegaSpace tractors fitted with a fixed roof spoiler angled for optimum efficiency for a 4.7m trailer.

"It saved us one mile per gallon with the tall trailer, but was not good with the 4m trailer due to turbulence issues," explains Nelson.

"Obviously, we could have chosen a manually adjustable deflector but, for health and safety reasons, we decided against this and opted instead for the fully automatic version."

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Hatcher Components Ltd
Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd

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