Actros dishes the dirt for EPH

After a successful trial, Melbourne-based business Eastern Plant Hire recently added a new Mercedes-Benz Actros 2651 to its fleet. The truck is now hard at work in the EPH division that deals in dirt logistics, shifting unwanted dirt from construction sites to customers in need of clean fill.

The family-owned business uses a network of 2000 owner/operators in Victoria and Queensland to handle most of this task but it also has 30 of its own trucks and trailers – a fleet where the new Actros has made its home.

The fleet is mainly comprised of older American trucks, but after the trial Actros proved its worth over nine months EPH decided to buy one, with a view to taking more in time.

The first Actros delivered, a 2651, is powered by a 16-litre V8 turbo-diesel that produces 510hp and 2400Nm. The power is fed to the rear axles via a 12-speed automated manual transmission, while EPH opted for hypoid axles, airbag suspension and alloy wheels.

The truck is fitted with a Hercules Bisalloy body tipper and hauls a three-axle tipper trailer.

EPH Managing Director, Michael Willson, says the truck marks a major shift for the company.

"It represents quite a significant change for us," he says.

"The drive experience is very different. It is like getting out of a 1970s car and into the latest model Mercedes."

EPH Fleet Manager, Ben Paganoni, says the comfortable and refined cab and the truck's manoeuvrability make life easy for the driver.

"There is a lot less fatigue," Mr Paganoni says.

"Our driver gets out of the truck feeling brand new and wants to wash it every night."

Mr Willson says it took a while for some of its drivers to warm to the Actros, as many are committed fans of American-style trucks.

"When we got the demo truck they were almost ridiculing the guys who were driving it," he says.

"Then when it was their turn they were quiet for a while and when the new truck was being delivered there was almost a fight over who was going to drive it.

"Some of the guys are very staunch American-style drivers and won't change. Having said that, the guys who did operate it raved about it, they loved it."

EPH added some extra chrome and stainless steel elements to the Actros truck in line with driver preferences.

"The drivers are critical to us," Mr Willson says.

"They are taking your very expensive asset out and off they go. If they are happy, they also look after the truck better."

Photo: Daimler Trucks Melbourne Mercedes-Benz Trucks Sales Manager Tim Eade with EPH Fleet Manager Ben Paganoni