Dealer Intercounty Truck and Van has supplied Aylesbury Vale District Council with 17 new Mercedes-Benz Econic 2630 refuse trucks.
The low-entry 26-tonners are the council’s first Mercedes-Benz trucks and come with rear-steer axles as well as Variopress 2 compactor bodies and bin lifts from Faun Zoeller (UK).
The Econics will collect one waste stream at a time, allowing the authority to maximise payloads, and they are powered by straight-six engines which produce 299hp and have six-speed, fully automatic Allison gearboxes.
Most of Aylesbury Vale’s new trucks are being fitted with Rotary XL lifts and will be assigned to residential routes. However three will have heavy-duty Omega trade lifts, for commercial waste collections.
Drivers are also now receiving training from Intercounty Truck and Van on how to get the best performance from their Econics. The council will maintain its new trucks in-house, with warranty and technical support, as well as a parts stock, provided by the dealer.
Transport Manager at Aylesbury Vale District Council David Clark said: “We tried and tested products by a number of suppliers, and invited driver feedback. The FAUN Zoeller demonstrator was on an Econic and was particularly well received. The chassis and body were neatly styled, and looked right together.
“We liked the robust but lightweight bin lifter, while the air-conditioned Econic cab, with its folding, bus-style passenger door, is easily accessed and contributes to safety by offering excellent visibility.”
