Plantspeed adds muscle with £1m Mercedes-Benz Actros Titan rig
14th March 2013
Heavy haulage specialist Plantspeed is running the most expensive truck ever
sold by Mercedes-Benz in the UK – a mighty Actros Titan which, together with
its new Scheuerle multi-axled trailer, represents an investment by the
Bristol-based company of more than £1 million!
Supplied by South West dealer City West Commercials, the 8x4 Actros 4165S has a
flat-floored MegaSpace cab and is powered by a 650 hp 16-litre V8 engine. This
is mated to a Mercedes PowerShift automated transmission which works in
conjunction with Voith’s new Turbo Clutch.
The truck was specified with a full complement of options and cost some
£220,000, while the bill for the supremely capable and flexible German-built
trailer – which can be fitted with up to 10 axle lines – came in at
£800,000.
Plantspeed specialises in the movement of heavy plant machinery and equipment
throughout the UK and Europe, and employs a highly trained and experienced team
of drivers and support staff capable of handling the most awkward and delicate
loads.
The company operates 16 trucks, the majority of them 150-tonne tractors, from
its base on the River Fields Estate – as well as being its first Mercedes-Benz
vehicle, the Actros Titan is also its first 250-tonner.
Managing Director Paul Lomas says the truck is already opening the door to new
business opportunities. "We can now transport equipment on behalf of wind
turbine manufacturers and steel industry customers, for example, that weighs in
excess of 200 tonnes," he explains.
"Our new Actros Titan flagship looks fantastic and is clearly built to the very
high standards for which Mercedes-Benz is renowned. The new transmission means
the truck is also very easy to drive. It’s highly sensitive, so low speed
manoeuvrability is excellent, while the automated ’box is also a lot smoother
than a manual."
The 16-speed Mercedes PowerShift and Turbo Clutch combination has replaced the
manual ’box and torque converter clutch previously deployed on Titan heavy
haulage models. This arrangement required a separate retarder for additional
braking, but this is no longer needed because the Turbo Clutch has its own,
powerful integrated retarder.
As well as freeing up space on the chassis and saving weight, the Turbo Clutch
is wear-free, more fuel-efficient, and offers finer control characteristics
when pulling away and during low-speed manoeuvring under heavy loads. It is
capable of handling and delivering some 3,000Nm of torque, significantly more
than a traditional torque converter.
Prior to taking delivery of his new truck, Mr Lomas visited the Mercedes-Benz
Titan factory in Germany. "It was hugely impressive," he recalls. "The
engineers to whom I spoke were highly knowledgeable about our industry, which
was very reassuring."
And he adds: "These are still early days, of course, but the service I’ve
received to date from Truck Sales Executive Simon Johnson-Taylor and his
colleagues at City West Commercials has been first class; it’s obvious to me
that this is a very professional dealership."
www.plantspeed.com
For more information please contact:
Steve Warren or John Ripley
Impact Press & PR, 01789 491700