The Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon Borough Council has added six more Mercedes-Benz refuse collection vehicles to its fleet. The 2630L Econic trucks are 26-tonne (28.7-U.S.-ton), 6x2 vehicles with rear-steer axles to help them manoeuvre in narrow streets. The new Econics were supplied by MBNI Truck & Van of Newtownabbey, who previously delivered an order of Econics to ABC Council five years ago.
“In terms of uptime those vehicles have been excellent. They’ve given us very few problems, while the parts delivery service we receive from the team at the dealer’s Dungannon branch is first-class,” says Council Workshop Manager Simon Smyth. “The Mercedes-Benz is also liked by a lot of our crews. It’s exceptionally well-built, easy to access, and comfortable, thanks to its spacious, air-conditioned cab and full air suspension.”
Bin-eficial Recycling
ABC Council’s new Econics were outfitted by Northern Ireland bodybuilder Farid Hillend Engineering, represented by primary contractor Castlereagh Motors. The vehicles feature 21-cubic-metre (27.5-cubic-yard) Powertrak compaction bodies and Zoeller Delta high-level bin lifts.
The Council’s waste and recycling managers have been adding to its mixed fleet of more than 70 vehicles while working to grow recycling participation rates in Armagh. Per the preference of 85% of the city’s residents, recyclables will now be collected in wheeled bins instead of kerbside boxes and food caddies. ABC Council also brought the Armagh collections in-house for a more standardised and efficient system.
Visibility & Safety
The Council’s new Econic 2630Ls are powered by a 299-horsepower (220-kilowatt), 7.7-litre, inline six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz diesel engine. The trucks have a six-speed automatic Allison transmission.
The cab of the Econic has a panoramic windscreen that helps the truck rate a maximum five-star rating under the Direct Vision Standard of Transport for London. So does the full-height, folding glass side door specified by the Council. A Backeye 360 camera system was installed by the bodybuilder. Mercedes says that the Econic’s low driver’s seat allows for better eye contact between the operator and others on the road.
Among the standard features of the latest Econic range is Mercedes’ Active Brake Assist 5 emergency braking system. It uses radar and a camera to detect objects in the lane ahead at speeds of up to 90 km/h (56 mph). It warns the driver with visual and audible alerts, but will also slow down and stop the vehicle with its hazard lights on if the driver fails to act. Active Brake Assist 5 can bring the Econic to a complete stop from speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph) should a pedestrian be detected in the vehicle’s path.
Finally, an automatic HOLD function prevents the Econic from inadvertently rolling from a standstill. Its Electronic Parking Brakes are applied automatically when the engine is switched off.
The Econic Range
Mercedes offers two- and three-axle Econics with gross weights of 18 and 26 t (19.8 and 28.7 U.S. t), four axle variants, and wheelbases of 3.45 to 5.7 metres (11.3 to 18.7 feet). The truck’s Euro 6, 7.7-litre engine is available in 272- to 354-HP (200- to 260-kW) power levels. Options include a quieter, cleaner-burning, 302-HP (222-kW) natural gas or biogas motor and a semi-automated PowerShift transmission.
Find The Right Mercedes-Benz
Besides the waste disposal market, the Econic can be configured for local distribution, fire and rescue, airport, and construction site applications. You can browse a number of new and used Mercedes-Benz trucks for sale on Truck Locator, including a big selection of Econics.
Source: Mercedes-Benz