Painted in the company's instantly recognisable custom green livery, the vehicles have been specified to meet the requirements of two different operations within this standout fleet.
The first of the new vehicles is a TGX 26.520 6x2-2 Tag Axle tractor, this vehicle will be used to collect waste products in conjunction with a 129 cubic yard heavy-duty aluminium walking floor trailer. The second vehicle, a TGS 26.480 6x4 Double-Drive tractor with a NN day cab, will be coupled to an 80 cubic yard Hardox steel tipper.
Both vehicles are powered by the advanced MAN D26 6-cylinder engine, which provides 520hp (383kW) and 480hp (353kW) respectively. This latest generation Euro 6e engine offers the perfect balance between outstanding efficiency, impressive power, and maximum reliability.
Established in 1984 by founders Keith and Maria Willshee, with just a single truck and ten skips, today Willshee’s Waste & Recycling operates out of two state-of-the-art recycling centres, in Burton on Trent and Swadlincote, and boasts a large fleet of latest-generation vehicles.
With second-generation family members heavily involved, today Willshee’s has grown to become the largest independent waste and recycling company in the UK.
Dean Willshee, managing director, said: “Following a series of MAN demonstrator vehicles, with both tractors and rigids, these are the first MAN trucks we’ve operated within our specialist fleet, so we are very much looking forward to seeing how they bed in and behave over the coming months."
Individual in their design but sharing the D26 Euro 6e 12.4-litre engine, Willshee’s new tractors both feature the MAN TipMatic 12-speed transmission. Using CAN Bus data this transmission system enables the vehicle to automatically recognise the load weight and incline conditions and optimise the gear-changing strategy to match. Whether the truck is unladen or fully loaded, MAN TipMatic® automatically selects the ideal gear for pulling away, helping maximise efficiency.
The TGX 26.520 6x2-2 TAG axle tractor, specified with the 2440mm wide GM cab, offers the driver a spacious and well-appointed interior that ensures maximum driving comfort, ideal for long-haul operation. The TAG axle, once lifted, helps to reduce the vehicles turning circle, decreases tyre wear and at the same time improves manoeuvrability.
The TGS 26.480 6x4 double-drive came specified with the narrower 2240mm NN day cab. This offers a compact cab suitable for local distribution and construction operations. With its double-drive configuration, extra traction is provided ensuring reduced tyre slip in more adverse and challenging conditions.
