Both Actros L 2446 units, were supplied to very short lead times, in full ADR FL specification for the carriage of dangerous goods, and are already impressing their new owner.
“We’ve had vehicles from several other brands on the fleet but Mercedes-Benz has traditionally been under-represented in this sector, and these are our first Actros units,” said managing director Jon Mayes.
“The fact that we decided to take this step into the unknown is largely testament to the proactive and persistent approach of Bells’ Sales Executive, James Walsh. He’d been talking to me for a while and when we suddenly found ourselves needing a couple of trucks, to a very particular specification, he immediately said he could help.
“The order was handled very professionally and the vehicles supplied quickly, arriving exactly as expected. James also provided a comprehensive handover with some very useful operating tips for our drivers. The trucks have now been on the road for three months so although these are still early days, we’ve seen enough to know they were an excellent choice – they’re performing really well, returning good mpg figures and have been very positively received by our drivers.”
One of those drivers is Mick Decourcey, who has been with AD Fuels for five years but had another 20 years behind the wheel before that. “I’m out in the cab for three or four nights at a time, covering around 2,000-2,500 miles per week,” he said.
“I’ve driven lots of different trucks but the Actros is great. She pulls so well but is good on fuel too, and way the main dashboard screen can be configured to my personal preference is really impressive. The cab is very comfortable too. The bed, with mattress topper, is super plush and the night heater is brilliant – so quiet I could leave it on all night if I had to.
“This isn’t my first Actros – I drove one of the very early models with the EPS gearbox back in the ’90s. Things have certainly moved on a lot since then! The new auto ’box on this truck is sweet and the brakes are excellent too.”
AD’s Actros are 2446 models, powered by 10.7-litre six-cylinder engines that each produce 340 kW (460 hp). Their chassis feature small-wheeled (17.5in) mid-lift axles which offer a weight saving of approximately 300kg compared to the standard version with 22.5in wheels, while also freeing up valuable space for hydraulic kit. Their specification includes roomy BigSpace cabs fitted with fridges and microwave ovens, alloy wheels, and checker-plate catwalks.
Based in West Sussex, AD (Anaerobic Digestion) Fuels was founded at the beginning of 2018 by a team of transport experts specialising in high consequence dangerous goods and waste recycling industries including landfill gases.
AD’s trucks deliver bio-methane, CNG and LNG fuels to transport and logistics operators, industrial customers including factories and greenhouses, and the marine sector. The company also runs a separate CO2 business, serving the food and beverage industry.
“Our new Actros are great-looking trucks, with the cab comfort that we look for to make them liveable for our drivers,” added Mayes. “Thanks to the excellent service from Bells, they’ve hit the ground running.”
