Potato haulier UK has added five Mercedes-Benz tractor units to its fleet – all premium specification Actros 2446 Long Distance models.
All of them were specified with small-wheeled (17.5in) mid-lift axles that offer a weight saving of around 250kg, compared to the standard 22.5in units, and 550-litre fuel tanks in place of the usual 450-litre items.
The Peterborough-based operator runs 28 tractor units, all of which work at 44 tonnes gvw and are equipped with real-time tracking, management and communication systems, allowing AB Texel to provide customers with updates on delivery schedules. This core fleet is supplemented with rented vehicles.
The new Actros tractors are the subject of a Mercedes-Benz Financial Services contract hire arrangement and arrived via city dealer Intercounty Truck & Van, which is also maintaining them.
"The Actros came highly recommended by our colleagues in The Netherlands," comments AB Texel UK managing director David Eady.
"Initial impressions of its comfort and driveability are extremely positive, and the drivers are certainly happy, while the small mid-lifts have given us a very useful increase in payload."
