Unique: the Czech Republic's first Arocs as a rescue and towing truck

Petr Šimánek is proud of a unique vehicle in the Czech Republic, an Arocs 3253 as a rescue and towing truck. “The Arocs replaces three-axle tow trucks that quite often had problems with the traction of the front wheels with some accident vehicles – despite having a movable load on the frame. That’s why we chose an Arocs with four axles and the longest possible wheelbase,” says the Head of Šimánek Auto.

The price difference for a body for a three- or a four-axle chassis is minimal, but the usefulness of an 8×4 version is far, far greater, he says. “This special vehicle has no traction problems even when the wheel lift is fully extended, for example when towing a bus.”

Although it’s an Arocs, this truck interactively uses all modern technologies for long-distance haulage vehicles, including MirrorCam and Multimedia Cockpit.

What is especially remarkable: the Arocs with its OM 471 engine with 390 kW output does not have a turbo retarder clutch. Instead, it has an automated 12-speed PowerShift 3 transmission. Petr Šimánek: “This combination is quite adequate for us because the vehicle drive is not involved in the rescue activities. Those are carried out entirely with the aid of the body, which includes two remote-control cable winches, a hook and the wheel lift.”

– Petr Šimánek

Italian precision work.

There is a whole range of manufacturers of similar bodies on the European market, but for his new star in the fleet, Petr Šimánek has chosen the Italian company Omars. “Omars is the most expensive in our experience, but they offer the best quality and they also know how to design the best-looking body. For example, with this Arocs the 10-tonne load is hidden behind the cab, whereas with other manufacturers it’s placed directly on the frame. That’s not aesthetic, nor is it safe in terms of crumple zones.”

When they configured the body, the experts at Šimánek Auto worked with the Czech branch of CZ Hartmann, a long-term working partner.

At the scene of the accident.

During the rescue operation, Václav “Venda” Sýkora, Šimánek’s right hand, is in charge. The second driver of the towing Arocs is Ondra Šimánek.

“Depending on how much damage there is, we decide which vehicle we’re going to take to the accident,” says Venda. “Our two 8×4 special vehicles are meant for the heaviest operations where the rescue can be carried out on firm ground. It’s often the case that the two trucks complement each other to secure the accident vehicle. We have to keep the risk of damage from our work as low as possible.”

Who is in charge?

“At headquarters it’s the boss, and outside it’s normally me,” says Venda with a wink. “At the scene of the accident the head of the operation decides on how the rescue is done and the order of the individual steps.” Before it is towed away, the brakes of the damaged vehicle have to be under pressure. If there is damage to the transmission, or when towing a vehicle by its front axle with the help of the wheel lift, the propeller shaft has to be released and often the transported material has to be shifted, or the trailer or the semitrailer has to be separated.

The lifting cradle at the rear of the vehicle is a special production. “The cradle includes an extendible arm that we can use as a crane, as an extension of the rollers or, after special runners have been fitted, to lift the wheels of the front axle, so the vehicle can be towed with a raised front axle.” Venda and his workmates place the greatest importance on securing the vehicle that has to be towed: “Whatever happens, we can’t afford to lose an unbraked load.”

Off to the repair garage. Or not?

The accident vehicles are taken straight to one of the authorised workshops to be repaired, or to Šimánek Auto’s own depot – in the case of foreign vehicles, the vehicle is kept there until full payment has been made. “That actually happens quite often,” says Venda. “Particularly with trucks from eastern Europe. For example, we had a guy from Ukraine where it took 27 days for everything to be sorted. His cab was damaged, and we put him up in the guest house next door and lent him a bicycle so he could at least go and look at the surrounding area.”

“Impossible” doesn’t exist!

Towing is a job that requires experience. Quite simply because the circumstances are always different and a different approach is often necessary. Venda says with a smile: “Up until now, we’ve managed to do every job. We’re always dealing with physics, and we use the pulley principle. If one vehicle isn’t enough, we bring in a second one. And if that’s not enough either, we can rely on our own crane.”

With the combination of the new Arocs and its 110-t body made by Omars, Šimánek Auto is the only company in the south of the Czech Republic with these technical options.

The truck is the visiting card.

Managing Director Petr Šimánek can look back on a wealth of experience. “We’ve always sold cars that had to be towed. An as we already have the necessary equipment, we contacted the insurance companies we’d already had dealings with in the past. Back then they were surprised at the quality and cleanliness of our equipment, and gradually we began working together, rescuing and towing vehicles.”

The right equipment, high-quality, reliable vehicles that are always clean and recognisable from a distance, and a highly professional approach: those are all company policy. “We do a professional job that nobody can just do like that, and that’s also the image we have to project. From A to Z,” explains Petr Šimánek and adds: “For the future, we’re planning to extend our fleet by an all-wheel-drive vehicle. That’s doubtless going to be another Arocs.”