Interlink Scaffolding (ISL) takes delivery of a Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3248 with demountable crane body

Commercial Motor
March 7, 2023

Birtley, Tyne & Wear-based Interlink Scaffolding (ISL) is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a new 8x4 tridem flagship truck.

The Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3248 ENA 8-wheeler, which joins a 16-strong truck fleet, features an unusual demountable crane body. Fitted by Notterkran in Switzerland, it’s a Multilift Ultima Z tilt and slide hook-lift and a demountable split dropside body. Mounted on it is a remote radio-controlled 33.5-tonne/m Hiab X-HiPro 362 EP5 crane, capable of lifting 1,860kg at a distance of 15.1m. It also features a winch, for lowering scaffolding over the sides of bridges or down wells, and a VBG drawbar coupling for pulling a tri-axle trailer.

“The demountable concept is ideal for our operation, but we realised that a crane would provide valuable extra flexibility,” said director Mark Eddy. “The Hiab will reach to the back of the drawbar trailer and allows us to lift a 1.5-tonne pack of scaffold tubes 16m in the air, so the lads don’t have to handball it all up. Not only does that save a lot of costly time and effort, but it also provides health and safety benefits.” 

The newcomer has been specified with a lifting, rear-steer axle, which like the front axle has been uprated to 9 tonnes and fitted with super-single tyres. The 12.8-litre engine is rated at 476hp, and matched to the PowerShift 3 transmission.

Inside the ClassicSpace M-cab is a rest bunk, and the upgraded Multimedia Cockpit, which features a 12in instrument panel with satellite navigation. ISL also specified the truck with MirrorCam.

This is the first 32-tonner on the fleet, and Eddy praises the ENA’s manoeuvrability, claiming it to be every bit as agile as the company’s 26-tonners.

It has been supplied by local dealer Bell Truck and Van, which is currently developing a new 7-acre site on the Team Valley Trading Estate. ISL has signed-up to a five-year Mercedes-Benz Complete Service Contract, and like a pair of Axor 18-tonners on its fleet, will be taken care of by the dealer’s Billingham branch.

“As soon as it’s opened, though, we’ll switch to the Team Valley dealership, which is just 4 miles from our head office so could scarcely be more convenient,” said Eddy.

ISL undertakes housing, commercial building, civil engineering and industrial projects throughout the North East, and serves the rail infrastructure sector on a national basis.

  • Mercedes-Benz and Hiab will both be exhibiting at this year’s Road Transport Expo, which takes place at Stoneleigh NAEC on June 28-30. It’s FREE to attend, and registrations are now open.

About the Author

img

Commercial Motor

Commercialmotor.com is the online presence for Commercial Motor magazine, the world’s oldest magazine dedicated to the commercial vehicle industry.

Share this article

axle
bodytype
cabtype
Emissions
Vehicle Type
make
model
;