Mercedes-Benz Actros are grist to Miller’s fleet20 June 2011

Cumbrian haulier John Miller Transport has added another pair of Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor units to its high-profile fleet – and ordered a further seven Actros trucks for later this year.

The company runs 70 trucks from sites at Sandysike, near Carlisle, and Dalbeattie, across the border in Scotland. Most of those operating from Sandysike are on general haulage, although seven pull bio-fuel tankers, while the trucks in Scotland haul round timber.

Both the new trucks are 6x2 Actros 2546 MegaSpace tractors and arrived via Carlisle dealer Ciceley Commercials, which supplied all but a handful of Miller's Cumbrian fleet.

Director Davie Carson, who runs the transport business, says that one of the new trucks has been assigned to general work. The other has been fitted with pumping equipment and is now working with a road tank on John Miller's contract with Argent Energy, hauling bio-fuel and the raw waste matter.

"We have established a fantastic relationship with the dealer in both Carlisle and Dumfries; the back-up we get from Ciceley Commercials, and indeed from the whole Mercedes-Benz network, is phenomenal," says Carson.

"The Actros are reliable and cost-effective to operate, while our drivers are out on the road for several nights a week, so appreciate the space and comfort of the big, flat-floored MegaSpace cabs," he adds.

Interestingly, several of the Actros tractor units that work on John Miller's Argent Energy contract have been converted to run on the biodiesel specialist's own fuel, produced from used cooking oil and animal fat. Those conversions are fully supported by Mercedes-Benz.

"We worked closely with Ciceley and Mercedes-Benz on the conversions, something no other truck manufacturer was prepared to approve and support at the time," continues Carson.

He also reveals that the firm recently decided to limit its trucks to 52 mph. "This has provided a clear improvement in fuel consumption," says Carson. "Plus, it's arguably more relaxing to sit back at 52 mph rather than be nose-to-tail at 56."

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd

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