T&J Haulage switch to Mercedes-Benz Actros
Lancashire-based haulage firm takes delivery of its first two Mercedes-Benz Actros 2445 tractor units
T&J Haulage’s first Mercedes-Benz tractor units have been quick to impress bosses and drivers alike with their fuel economy, payload and comfort.
Working from the bulk tipper operator’s headquarters in Clitheroe, Lancashire, the two Actros 2445s in eye-catching red livery have aerodynamic StreamSpace cabs with Kelsa lightbars and chrome trim, and ride on Alcoa Dura-Bright alloy wheels.
The order marks a breakthrough for Blackburn-based supplying dealer Ciceley Commercials, who have broken a Swedish stranglehold on T&J’s fleet of 20 top-weight tractors.
The first Actros went on the road on 1 March. Managing director Trevor Walker observed: ‘Paired with one of our Wilcox aluminium tipping trailers with Hyva rams it offers a payload of around 29.5 tonnes, which is pretty good for a Euro VI vehicle and right up there with the best of our vehicles.
‘The fuel returns are pleasing too. That truck is already achieving 7.75 miles/gal, which may not sound a lot but is excellent for this application, and significantly better than our fleet average.’
T&J’s vehicles work nationwide for customers in the aggregates and agricultural sectors, but much of their time is spent on the hilly A and B roads of Lancashire and Yorkshire.
‘We also run fully loaded at 44 tonnes 90% of the time, so of course our miles/gal returns are lower than those of operators who spend their time rolling along nice smooth motorways,’ continued Mr Walker. ‘We do pay close attention to efficiency though, and pay our drivers a bonus for hitting their fuel targets.
‘Both drivers are delighted with their new trucks. The second went on the road in mid-May and has been assigned to a long-serving member of our team who was a dyed-in-the-wool fan of one of the other brands represented on our fleet. He’s been completely won over by the Mercedes-Benz, and loves the comfort and space, as well as the high quality of the interior fixtures and fittings.’
The trucks are powered by state-of-the-art 330kW (450hp) straight-six engines which drive through Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated transmissions. Both tractors are fitted with optional 17.5in wheels on the mid-lift axle, in place of the usual 22.5in rims – in this case, helping to reduce their unladen weight by 371kg over a standard vehicle.
‘Of course any truck is only as good as the back-up,’ concluded Mr Walker. ‘We already had a close working relationship with Ciceley Commercials, as we have 23 trailers with Mercedes-Benz axles, which we maintain in our own workshop. The parts team at Ciceley Blackburn support us with regular deliveries and make sure that if we ever need anything, it’s already there on the shelf.’
