Wait for Actros tippers
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by Brian Weatherley • Mercedes tipper operators planning to replace their long-serving six and eight-leggers with new Actros-based multi-wheelers are in for a long wait.
Although left-hand-drive Actros tippers have broken cover on the Continent, Mercedes-Benz UK says that their specification is not suitable for British operators. Purpose-built right-hand-drive 6x4s and 8x4s will not arrive until late 1998.
When the UK Actros range was unveiled in January it was anticipated that multi-wheeler rigids would be launched before the end of this year. However, an M-B (UK) spokesman says that the first wave of "Actros B" 6x4 and 8x4 tippers are heavy-duty, Continental-spec models, designed to operate on poorly prepared off-road construction sites and at higher gross weights than the UK.
"They would be too big, too heavy and too expensive for us," he says. "What we've asked the factory to do is produce a lighter version with a frame, suspension and running gear more in tune with UK conditions. The current vehicle as presented is entirely suitable for the Continent; we want a vehicle which is more geared to UK needs and we're confident we'll have that by late 1998."
The obvious engine choice for a UK Actros eight-wheeler would be the 349hp vee-six currently used in the 1835 Actros tractor—the 389hp version could be offered to tipper operators looking for more power. Similarly, the sixwheeler could use the 308hp vee-six diesel.
However, Mercedes is known to be developing a new range of in-line sixpotters which could provide ratings between 250-300hp and would be more suitable for a 6x4 rigid.
Until the new range arrives Mercedes-buyers will have to make do with 2527K and 3234K tippers, although it is believed that these models will not be revised much beyond the fitment of Euro-2 engines.