Supplied by dealer Intercounty Truck & Van, the 6x2 Econic 2628LL has a steering rear axle for enhanced manoeuvrability and is fitted with a dropside body by Massey Truck Engineering, of Sheffield, as well as a rear-mounted, 14-tonne/metre HMF crane.
The low-entry Econic has a deep, panoramic windscreen, fully-glazed kerbside door and a lower seating position than a traditional construction chassis to boost driver visibility.
Keyline’s vehicle operates from a depot in Canning Town, East London, and transports heavy construction and civil engineering products such as drainage pipes, steelwork and palletised materials to construction sites across the capital.
Travis Perkins’ first two Econics are also 26-tonners and work for its CCF business, delivering sheeting and insulation materials. One is based at Canning Town, the other at Borehamwood, in Hertfordshire. Both have curtainside bodies and carry truck-mounted forklifts for off-loading.
All three are specified with cameras for front, rear and both side views, as well as Sidescan systems which give an audible warning to the driver and the cyclist if a bike moves up the nearside of the truck. Its fourth Econic is now on order. Travis Perkins’ central fleet manager James Taylor says: “These trucks represent something of a departure for us but we received excellent support from Mercedes-Benz and Intercounty throughout the specifying and ordering process... The vehicles have been well received by our drivers who find the low seating position and extra all-round field of vision aids both safety and comfort.”
There are now more than 20 Econics working in London on construction-related duties. The first, an alloy-bodied tipper built for aggregates work, was delivered last summer; others include tipper-grabs and skiploaders.