Supplied by dealer Caledonian Truck & Van, the first two Actros 2551s have BigSpace cabs and 12.8-litre engines producing 510bhp. The third, due for delivery in March 2018, has been specified with a 530bhp engine.
“We always specify high power ratings because of the hilly terrain we have to cope with here in the north of Scotland,” says Colin Roger, director of the Keith-based operator.
“The first Actros has been completely reliable and well on top of the job, so we had no hesitation in returning for more.”
Despite favouring other marques in the past for its 22-strong tractor fleet, the firm decided to try Mercedes last year, as Roger explains: “Caledonian Truck & Van have been investing heavily in their dealership at Aberdeen, and have also opened a new branch in Nairn relatively recently. Head of truck sales Andrew Rennie has been persistent in trying to win our business, so we decided last year to see for ourselves what the Mercedes-Benz product and dealer could do.”
He adds: “We’ve been well supported by the workshop team at Aberdeen. The driver of our first Actros is based not far from the dealership and can drop his truck off for its inspections and services after finishing work, then pick it up again the next morning ready to go.”
The operator has extended the free two-year R&M contract to five years; it also specified the second and third trucks with Mercedes-Benz Uptime, which can predict faults and so reduce time spent at the workshop.