Tools, plant, powered access equipment and temporary site accommodation provider Total Hire & Sales has added a Mercedes-Benz Arocs to its fleet.

The Arocs 3440 has a platform body with folding ‘cheese wedge’ ramps, a combination favoured by many in the plant industry for transporting wheeled and tracked machinery, which was built by Shawtrack Services, of Mansfield.

Positioned immediately behind the truck’s ClassicSpace M-cab, a 50 tonne-metre HMF EVS 5020-K6 crane is used to lift and place portable office buildings weighing anything up to eight tonnes, as well as access equipment.

It is capable of lifting 9,270 kg at a distance of 4.7 metres, and 2,150 kg when fully extended at 16.7 metres.

Although the Derby-based plant and tool hire specialist needed the carrying capacity of a 32-tonner, the fact that the vehicle will rarely venture off-road meant a conventional double-drive configuration was not required.

The Arocs was therefore specified with a single drive axle. The result is a saving of approximately 600kg in weight, which translates into an increase in payload capacity, and improved fuel economy from the 394PS engine. 

As the back axle is not driven Mertrux could order the chassis with a rear-steer set-up, which significantly enhances manoeuvrability in tight spots. This axle can also be lifted when the truck is running light, reducing tyre wear.

Established in 1999 and supplying both trade and the general public, Total Hire & Sales operates from headquarters in Derby. It also has a training centre and two more branches in the city, and others in Huthwaite, Ripley, Somercotes and Birmingham.

Its new flagship vehicle has replaced an ageing eight-wheeler by another manufacturer. It is the subject of a contract hire agreement with Pentagon Vehicle Rentals,A a ‘sister’ company to Mertrux, and is now working alongside a 26-tonne Arocs with beavertail plant body.