ABN new Actros tractor units
A combination of low running costs, reduced chassis weight and top-quality back-up made the Mercedes-Benz Actros the perfect ingredient for farm feeds supplier ABN.
Part of the Peterborough-based AB Agri group, ABN has added 19 Actros 2445 tractor units and a pair of 8x4 Arocs 3236 rigids to its fleet of 120 trucks. All were supplied by Yorkshire Dealer Northside Truck & Van and are being inspected and serviced under five-year Mercedes-Benz Repair and Maintenance Contracts.
The 6x2 tractors are fitted with small-wheeled (17.5in) mid-lift axles that offer a weight saving of around 250kg compared to the standard version with 22.5in wheels.
Fleet Manager Ken Hardgrave explains. “We knew Mercedes-Benz trucks were reliable and fuel efficient, having been impressed on both counts by some rented Axors a few years ago.
“But then we visited the CV Show in 2013 and saw an Actros tractor unit with small wheels on the mid-lift axle. Ours is a very weight-conscious industry and this looked a perfect set-up for our work, so we decided to investigate further.”
He continues: “Northside lent us their Actros demonstrator, which one of our lead drivers evaluated over an extended period. His feedback was very positive and the fuel returns were excellent.
“Mercedes-Benz is also a fair way ahead of the competition when it comes to having Euro VI technology proven in operation. Along with the weight saving from the small wheels it all adds up to a very attractive package.”
The trucks are now delivering animal feeds from factories across Britain, direct to farms. Some of the Actros are equipped with hydraulics to power their bulk blower trailers, while others employ trailer-mounted ‘donkey’ engines.
The Arocs, meanwhile, are fitted with farm feed bodies by Priden Engineering, of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, and deployed for smaller loads or locations where access is tight.
“Eight-wheelers were traditionally the standard vehicle for feed delivery but as the size of farms, and therefore of deliveries, has grown we find tractor-trailer combinations are a more practical option these days,” adds Mr Hardgrave.
“The early indications from our Mercedes-Benz trucks are very promising. They’ve been well received by our drivers and even though they’re still very new the fuel returns are already ahead of our fleet average. That’s impressive because we’re optimistic the mpg performance will improve still further as they loosen up.”
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