Nusteel Structures, a company specializing in bridges and gantries, is operating its most significant and potent truck. It is the company's first truck to sport the three-pointed star of Mercedes-Benz.
The powerful 6x4 Arocs 3363 tractor unit was sold to the firm in Kent by local Dealer Sparshatt Truck & Van. It is plated for Special Types operating at up to 150 tonnes GCW and was supplied to the company by Sparshatt.
It utilizes a range-topping 460 kW (625 horsepower), 15.6-litre in-line six-cylinder engine and has a flat-floored BigSpace cab that is completed in a sophisticated manner with colour-coded bumpers and a roof-mounted Kelsa light bar. In addition, it has a flat floor. SB Components of Wisbech installed infills for the chassis catwalk.
Nusteel Structures was founded in 1954 and has since become an industry leader in supplying steel bridges, gantries, and complicated structures to the construction sector in the United Kingdom. In addition to balconies, steel moulds, props, and walers, this company offers a full service that includes the design, construction, and installation of additional items.
The Arocs handles countrywide deliveries to sites of sections up to 57 meters in length. It operates out of the company's head office and manufacturing facilities in Lympne, which are located in Hythe.
In addition, Nusteel Structures utilizes a pair of tractor units rated at 80 tons each that a different company produced. However, as the Transport Manager and driver, Iain Bates, explained: "Over the years, the bridges and gantries that we construct have steadily gotten larger and substantially more durable, and as a result, much heavier." We'd reached the point where we required the extra capabilities of an uprated truck, and it was time to make the switch.
The robust Arocs was explicitly developed for use in applications connected to construction, making it an excellent choice for the position's requirements. The renowned Turbo Retarder Clutch was installed in Nusteel's truck. This clutch is designed to cooperate with the Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated manual transmission and takes the place of the conventional manual gearbox and torque converter clutch combination.
The Turbo Clutch can manage and provide around 3,000 Nm of torque, which is substantially more than a torque converter can provide. It was designed to be wear-free and fuel-efficient. In addition, it has a highly effective integrated retarder built right in, which is a vital safety element in and of itself.
Nusteel also communicated with the regional
representatives of two other manufacturers; however, one of these manufacturers was unable to provide a product that was suitable for use, and the other manufacturer was unable to match the competitively priced acquisition and maintenance package that the Mercedes-Benz Dealer offered, nor could it commit to delivering its vehicle within the same timeframe.
Doug Newsholme, a colleague of Iain Bates's at Nusteel Structures and a transport manager and driver, has been with the company for 44 years and is quite pleased with his brand-new Mercedes-Benz. "We've run Swedish-made units in the past, but this is probably the greatest truck we've ever had," he exclaimed. "We've had trucks produced in other countries, but this one is the best."
"In terms of overall quality, the Arocs marks a significant advancement. The cab is a beautiful place to be since it is nicely outfitted and has a comfortable seat and a driving position that you can adjust to suit your needs. It's also quieter than I anticipated, which is a pleasant surprise.
He continued, saying, "Up until now, I've only ever driven with manual gears, but the way the automatic shift works in conjunction with the turbo clutch is outstanding." It is simple to get going when there is a weight on board; regardless of the terrain, traction is never a problem. When in Heavy mode, the vehicle feels like a train and behaves more like one. It recently pushed 100 tons up Wrotham Hill, located near Tonbridge, at 20 miles per hour while in the eighth gear, and it did it without breaking a sweat, which is some going.
"When riding down slopes, the inherent retarder also pulls you back, which is reassuring and just what you need. The system fulfils all of the promises made to us and does so to an exceptional degree.
Janet Collins, the newly hired Truck Sales Executive of Sparshatt Truck & Van, made a speculative but extremely timely approach to Nusteel, establishing a business relationship between the two companies. After switching careers from selling luxury vehicle brands for her prior employer to exploring something new and exciting, she landed her first truck order for a 150-tonne tractor unit!
According to Doug Newsholme, Janet's service quality was outstanding throughout. "She kept us updated on the situation at all times, and we were pleasantly taken aback by how fast the truck came."
The Arocs are now being examined and serviced at the Ashford facility operated by Sparshatt Truck & Van as part of a Mercedes-Benz Complete Service Contract that will last for the next five years. Iain Bates continued, "The contract covers all of our repair and maintenance needs at fixed pricing that is inflation-proof, so it gives great peace of mind." It says volumes about the manufacturer's dedication to minimizing downtime for operators like ourselves that the quick, customer-focused backup we've received from Service Manager Matthew Wootten and his colleagues have also been first class.
