Sampson has strength and flexibility with Mercedes-Benz Aroc

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Transport Engineer / October 15, 2015

Nick Sampson Mechanical Engineering is reporting excellent manoeuvrability and fuel efficiency from its first Mercedes-Benz heavy haulage tractor unit, saying the vehicle is proving to be a “highly flexible, cost-effective addition” to the fleet.

Supplied by dealer City West Commercials, the Barnstaple-based operator’s 155-tonne Arocs 3363S has a 15.6-litre OM473 (aka. DD16) engine, delivering the highest output available in the range at 625bhp.

The truck also features the 16-speed Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated transmission and the Turbo Retarder Clutch, capable of delivering 3,000 Nm of torque.

“The Arocs is certainly living up to our hopes and expectations, and is proving to be a highly flexible, cost-effective addition to our fleet,” says proprietor Nick Sampson.

The all-steel sprung double-drive tractor unit is transporting fabricated sections and components for new Royal Navy aircraft carriers, from Babcock’s Appledore facility in North Devon, to Scotland.

“Our new truck has been making this run about three times a month,” says Sampson. “The loads are invariably big but not always that heavy and… we’ve noticed that in terms of mpg performance the Arocs is very good, particularly when running light.”

The turbo clutch, he adds, suits the operation very well. “It certainly contributes to economy by offering the fuel efficiency of a conventional clutch for normal operations, but also delivers the performance of a torque converter for when we need to pull a piece of construction equipment at 70 or 80 tonnes up a steep bank.”

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