The first Mercedes-Benz Arocs to join the McCormick Contracts fleet has repaid its owner with problem-free performance and a welcome boost in fuel efficiency.

With a full year’s hard work under its belt, the 3240K tipper has vindicated the decision of operator Garreth McCormick to invest his faith in the three-pointed star.

Supplied by Dealer Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI), the Arocs is powered by an advanced 290 kW (394 hp) straight-six engine which drives through a smooth, 12-speed Mercedes PowerShift transmission. Its steel tipping body, meanwhile, is by Farlow Engineering, of Garvagh.

“The truck has been superb,” enthused Mr McCormick. “I was impressed with the look of the Arocs the first time I saw it, as it’s clearly purpose-built for our type of work. Our tipper has now proved in operation to be every bit as reliable, productive and driver-friendly as I’d hoped, so I’m delighted with the choice I made.”

Based in Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, the civil engineering company runs six tippers and a tractor unit which hauls a low-loader trailer, as well as a range of plant equipment including 16 tracked machines. Having tried demonstration vehicles from several leading manufacturers, Mr McCormick purchased the Arocs to meet growing demand.

“The Arocs immediately impressed us with its fuel efficiency, as well as its remarkably low AdBlue consumption – it was the best by a long shot,” he recalled. “Our drivers were also impressed with the cab design and the whole approach of Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI) struck me as highly professional.

“It’s difficult to make fuel comparisons because the work is so varied, but overall it’s returning around 8.2 mpg, which is excellent when set against our tipper fleet average of 7.4 mpg.

“It’s a tough truck too,” he continued. “We maintain our vehicles and carry out their six-weekly inspections, in-house. It will probably go back to the dealer if it ever needs anything more but so far nothing has gone wrong, so they haven’t seen it since the day we took delivery.”

The truck has worked on a variety of projects since joining the company’s fleet, including major road-building schemes and the construction of a large store for a leading supermarket chain in Antrim.

Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI)

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