BJ Waters Adds Pair Of Custom Mercedes-Benz Actros Tractor Units To Fleet
BJ Waters, a bulk tipping and hazardous load specialist based in Matlock, Derbyshire, recently commissioned two new Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks from Mertrux Truck & Van. The Actros 2551 tractor units are fitted with resilient steel bumpers and raised ride heights to protect from damage while working on rough sites. The new trucks have hydraulic tipping kits from Commercial Vehicle Hydraulics in South Normanton to support work with bulk trailers.
About BJ Waters
BJ Waters is a fourth-generation family firm founded in 1927. Originally a general haulier, today the company focuses on transporting bulk commodities such as non-ferrous and scrap metals, aggregates, coal, solid fuels, plastics, marble, glass, and batteries as well as hazardous goods to locations throughout the UK and Europe. BJ Waters runs a combined fleet of around 100 trucks, most of which are 6x2 tractor units, with its sister company Geo Siddall (Transport).
“We tried a couple of Actros demonstrators from Mertrux,” says Director James Waters. “They did very well on fuel, which didn’t surprise me because our previous Mercedes-Benz trucks were certainly economical.”
About The Actros
The Actros trucks are equipped with 2.5-metre (8.2-foot) flat-floored, aerodynamic StreamSpace cabs and 12.8-litre, in-line six-cylinder engines rated for 510 horsepower (375 kilowatts). The choice of a steel bumper over the standard plastic and the straight front axle and headlight arrangement of a flat-floored Arocs are designed to limit costs from repairs. With up to 85 millimetres (3.3 inches) of additional ground clearance, the trucks should avoid underbody damage from bottoming out on uneven surfaces or getting stuck whilst operating off road.
The trucks are equipped with the MirrorCam system, which replaces traditional mirrors rearview mirrors with cameras and in-cab displays, as well as the Predictive Powertrain Control system and Active Brake Assist 5 with enhanced pedestrian recognition. BJ Waters also spec’d its new trucks with an upgrade to the Multimedia Cockpit in the form of a 12-inch instrument panel with extra functionality that includes satellite navigation.
The Actros also have FleetBoard telematics hardware, which records and processes data from the truck and rates the driver’s performance in criteria such as speed, braking, idle time while the engine is running, and the use of the PowerShift transmission’s Eco-Roll. This data can be used for training purposes to improve fuel efficiency.
A Driver Favourite
Andy Garton has been driving trucks since 2007 and started with BJ Waters in 2019. He has high praise for Mercedes-Benz trucks in general and the Actros in particular. “I’ve been an Actros fan for years and had a new one on a 55-plate that I loved,” he says. “I’ve driven other trucks, including ones by both Swedish brands, but only in a Mercedes-Benz have I ever been able to get truly comfortable.”
“I was already familiar with MirrorCam, which is a fantastic system,” Garton continues. “It allows you to reverse around a corner without ever losing sight of the back of the trailer, while the fact that you don’t have those great slabs of mirror sticking out of both sides means there are no blind spots. I really like that—it’s a massive advantage at roundabouts, and when you’re turning.”
Find Mercedes-Benz Trucks
You’ll find a large selection of new and used Mercedes-Benz trucks, including Actros tractors and rigids, for sale on Truck Locator.
Source: Mercedes-Benz