Nusteel Structures, the bridge and gantry specialist, has taken delivery of its biggest and most powerful truck yet.
The Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3363 6x4 tractor, which is plated for Special Types operation at up to 150 tonnes GCW, is the first on its fleet to wear a three-pointed star on its grille.
The BigSpace-cabbed truck, which is powered by the range-topping 625hp version of Mercedes’ 15.6-litre in-line six-cylinder engine, was specified with the Turbo Retarder Clutch. It works in conjunction with the 16-speed PowerShift 3 automated manual transmission and replaces the traditional manual gearbox and torque converter clutch set-up. The truck also features colour-coded bumpers, a roof-mounted Kelsa light bar, and an SB Components-fitted chassis catwalk infill.
The Arocs, which was supplied by local dealer Sparshatt Truck & Van, is based at company’s head office and fabrication facilities in Lympne, Hythe. It is being used to deliver sections of bridge of up to 57m in length, nationwide.
Nusteel Structure also runs a pair of 80-tonne tractor units by another manufacturer. Transport manager/driver Iain Bates said: “The bridges and gantries we manufacture have gradually become bigger and structurally more robust over the years, and therefore significantly heavier. We’d reached the point at which we needed the increased capability of an uprated vehicle.”
Doug Newsholme, who is also a transport manager/driver is impressed with his new truck. He added: “We’ve operated Swedish-built units in the past, but this is definitely the best truck we’ve ever had.
“I’ve always had manual gearboxes previously but the way the auto shift works in tandem with the Turbo Clutch is superb. Pulling away with a load on is easy. Whatever the ground, there’s never an issue with traction.
“Heavy mode completely changes the feel of the vehicle, which drives like a train. A little while back it pulled 100 tonnes up Wrotham Hill, near Tonbridge, at 20mph in eighth gear, without breaking sweat, which was some going.
“The integral retarder also holds you back when going down hills, which is very reassuring and exactly what you need. In fact, the system does everything we were promised, and it does it supremely well.”
Commenting on Sparshatt’s recently appointed truck sales executive Janet Collins, who clinched the deal, Newsholme said: “She kept us fully informed on progress and we were pleasantly surprised by how quickly the truck arrived.”
It has been supplied with a five-year Mercedes-Benz Complete Service Contract, and is being inspected and maintained at Sparshatt Truck & Van’s Ashford workshop.
