Mercedes-Benz goes for gold

McAleese Resources Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of McAleese Group, has placed an order with Mercedes-Benz Trucks to purchase four Actros 4165 AK 8x8 SLTs.

The new order will service the recently announced successful haulage contract with Norton Gold Fields in Western Australia’s Kalgoorlie goldfields. The decision was made to proceed with the order for the 8x8 SLTs after a successful trial with an 8x4 SLT demonstration truck in the Kalgoorlie operation.

Mercedes-Benz says the key benefit of the SLT is the VIAB turbo clutch, which allows the use of the full engine torque during take-off and manoeuvring. When starting, the hydrodynamic turbo clutch fills with more or less oil depending on the accelerator position, creating centrifugal force that affords smooth and controlled take-offs at high weight without clutch wear.

As soon as the slip of the turbo clutch has reduced sufficiently, the turbo clutch is drained and a single dry-plate clutch takes care of the power flow to the gearbox.

The turbo clutch also operates as a wear-free integrated primary retarder for controlled braking.

The Mercedes-Benz SLT is available in 8x4 and 8x8 configurations and powered by a 650hp 16-litre V8 Mercedes-Benz engine. The truck has a standard rating of 250t GCM with higher ratings possible through consultation.

Commenting on the order, McAleese Resources Divisional General Manager, Andrew Simpson, said the new trucks brought with them many benefits.

"The McAleese Resources team is committed to delivering safe and innovate solutions for our customers and we are excited to be working with Mercedes-Benz as part of a broader program to increase our haulage capacity and efficiency," he said.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks said the order was great news as it is the first time the SLT has been sold into goldfields heavy haulage.

The General Manager of Mercedes-Benz Truck & Bus, Justin Whitford, said he was thrilled with the the purchase.

"My team has worked very hard with McAleese to ensure we can deliver a product that would not only deliver results for the Resources team but do it with the precision, safety, efficiency and comfort a Mercedes-Benz is renowned for," he said.

"The SLT is a very unique model and well suited to the heaviest tasks in the Australian transport industry. We are confident the four 8x8s will be a great asset to the McAleese Resources fleet and we will provide them with our full and ongoing support."