Payload-sensitive haulage with Actros Loader
Vehicle & Technology
For payload-sensitive haulage Mercedes-Benz offers special solutions for its three heavy-duty truck model series: the Actros Loader, the Antos Loader and the Arocs Loader. The vehicles are available as tractor units, rigids, and concrete mixers.
Every kilogram pays off. To underline the importance of payload for his tanker haulage business, Managing Director Federico Martín balances weights in front of an Actros Loader at the company yard in Albuixech near Valencia.
For the Loader every possibility of saving weight was examined and, wherever it made technical sense, resolutely implemented. This makes the payload-optimised rigids, tractor units and concrete mixers the lightest in the heavy-duty distribution, long-distance and construction segments. As a heavy-duty distribution truck in which drivers do not have to spend the night, the Antos Loader has an advantage over the Actros Loader when it comes to payload with a shorter cab. As a construction vehicle the Arocs Loader is available as a concrete mixer and as a tractor unit.
Weighty arguments. An Actros Loader operated by Martín shortly before loading at the port of Valencia.
Why did you choose the Actros Loader?
Martín: In some segments of our business, being able to transport an additional few hundred kilograms per trip is tremendously important for us and our customers – particularly with high-density liquid goods. These include sodium hydroxide, which weighs 1.5 kilograms per litre. Hydrochloric acid used to produce chlorine, which is required in massive quantities in Spain for swimming pools, also has a high density. We operate services here between Santander and Guadalajara.
The Spanish economy is having a rough ride at the moment, but you are nevertheless investing. How do you manage to do this?
Martín: Always maintaining the company’s viability for the future is part of our tradition. My daughter and my two nephews are already the firm’s fourth generation. Over the decades we have managed the company well, that’s why we are now able to carry out modernisations to boost efficiency, even though times are hard. We have integrated 25 new Actros trucks into our fleet so far and 25 more have been ordered. Increased efficiency and productivity can only be achieved today with modern equipment. This has its price, but pays off in terms of sustainability.
What is your recipe for success?
Martín: We have specialised in dangerous goods. Our customers give top priority to safety and the quality of customer service. And it’s here that we deliver the goods! But competition is intense. You can only be successful nowadays if you grasp every opportunity to cut costs. Fuel is a tremendous cost factor. Our new Actros needs up to three per cent less fuel than the preceding model. Telling our drivers to strictly comply with the maximum speed of 80 kilometres per hour has saved about just as much again. This also keeps us competitive in difficult times, when everyone has to keep a very close eye on the price.
Arocs Loader as a concrete mixer. The 32-tonner with an 8x4/4 chassis offers the maximum possible payload, vital for transport of ready-mixed concrete.
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