Supplied by dealer Intercounty Truck & Van, the FORS Gold operator’s new additions have ClassicSpace M-Cabs and are powered by 10.7-litre straight-six engines, producing 394bhp and driving through PowerShift 3 automated transmissions.
Bodywork is by Abba Commercials, of St Helens – five are steel tippers and assigned to general site muckaway duties, while the remaining two are hookloaders which carry bins with capacities of up to 12 cubic yards.
Carey Group is a £400m business offering a range of construction industry services. The new Arocs are in service with its PJ Carey Plant Hire (Oval) division, which has a 30-strong fleet ranging from 7.5-tonners to 80-tonne tractors.
PJ Carey’s director Gary Condon says the vehicle spec was very much a “three-way partnership” between the operator, dealer and bodybuilder, to meet the demands of road safety in the capital.
“We’ve done a lot of work on behavioural driving and this has confirmed that comfort is an important component when it comes to safety. The ergonomics of the Arocs cab are very good, while these are also our first tippers with auto transmissions,” he says.
Safety features include multiple cameras from Exeros Technologies, proximity side sensors and side protection between the two sets of axles.
The vehicles are also fitted with truck-specific satnav and the dealer has provided driver familiarisation training.
Condon adds: “We’re still very new to Mercedes-Benz, of course, but if the product proves as good as the relationship we’ve already developed with Intercounty, then there’s every prospect that we’ll be returning for more.”