WIT Transport Solutions has acheived a massive “half as much again” extra carrying capacity, with its new Mercedes Actros drawbar rig. The Worksop general haulier specialises in the nationwide distribution of intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) manufactured by Schutz UK.
WIT Transport Solutions has been a Mercedes operator since the mid-1980s and runs a fleet of 26 trucks, ranging from 7.5 tonners to 38 tonne tractor units. The latest arrival via Mansfield dealer Mertrux was a Mercedes Actros 184LL Midi-Line drawbar with a second one on order.
The fully air-suspended, 408bhp Actros 1841LL offers a maximum gtw of 40 tonnes but WIT’s has been downplated for operation at 32,640kgs gtw. The rig can carry a total of 84 IBCs, exactly 50 per cent more than WIT had acheived previously. The key to the success of the German Kotschenreuther’s design is the low ride height of the Actros Midi-Line chassis and an innovative system that allows the roof to be raised when loading or unloading. As a result, WIT has been able to add an extra layer of IBCs while remaining below the 4.5m overall height that is crucial for operation at chemical plants.
WIT managing director Philip Brown said: “We’re very pleased indeed with this new vehicle; it’s acheiving everything we’d hoped. This is the first time we have used a German body builder, and we’ve done so because of their particular expertise in this area.” Like its other big Mercedes, WITs new Actros is being serviced under an r&m contract at the new depot in Mansfield that Mertrux opened a little over a year ago.
Brown said: “The dealer’s new facility is a lot more convenient for us, while our Mercedes trucks continue to be reliable and fuel-efficient, as well as popular with the drivers.We’ve tried the rest but Mercs come out best.”
