Supplied by dealer Sparshatts Truck & Van, the new additions are all double-drive Arocs 2648 models, with BigSpace cabs and 12.8-litre, straight-six engines producing 476bhp.
The order comprises 10 replacements and four additions; all were supplied with funding from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services.
They join a 38-strong tractor fleet, pulling walking floor trailers. The operator collects commercial and domestic waste from transfer stations in Essex and Kent, transporting it to recycling centres. Sometimes vehicles go to landfill sites, so all but three of its tractors are 6x4 variants and the latest vehicles are built to N3G (off-road) specification.
Waste-A-Way’s director Ian Whitehair says: “With Sparshatts’ support, Mercedes-Benz trucks work really well for us, particularly the Arocs, which is impressively strong and robust, so ideally suited to our kind of work.”
The new arrivals have a higher rated engine than others on the fleet, says Whitehair: “The extra bit of power for hills seems also to be resulting in slightly better fuel efficiency – we’re getting 5.8-6.2mpg, which is excellent for this job, not least because the tractor units power the hydraulics for tipping.”
The trucks are inspected and maintained under Mercedes-Benz Complete Service contracts at Sparshatts’ workshops in Dartford and Sittingbourne.