Smiths Bletchington, an Oxfordshire-based supplier and producer of aggregates, recently added a Renault Trucks C440 P8x4*4 Tridem Off Road rigid tipper to its fleet, along with two new C440 P8x4 Off Road tippers. With the additions, Smiths Bletchington’s fleet of 38 tipper trucks is now fully Euro 6 compliant.
The company’s first Tridem was chosen for its operational flexibility and will make deliveries from the head office in Oxford to locations with tight access. The C440s will work from Smiths Bletchington’s Ardley Dewars Farm quarry, hauling stone, limestone, sand, and gravel throughout Oxfordshire and surrounding counties.
According to Paul Needle, fleet manager at Smiths Bletchington, longevity and fuel efficiency were important factors in choosing the trucks. “We keep our vehicles for a long time, typically 8 to 10 years, and we do a lot of research to ensure optimal suitability for our operational needs,” Needle says. “We also undertake most of our own maintenance and residual value takes a back seat in our considerations. Our evaluation revolves mainly around capital outlay vs. running costs, factoring in mpg and overall performance on an annual basis.”
The Renault Tridem
Sometimes Smiths Bletchington’s trucks need to make deliveries to places that are difficult for traditional trucks to access, but the C440 8x4*4 Tridem Off Road marries the manoeuvrability of a smaller truck with the load capacity of a larger one. Narrow roads and challenging terrain are no longer the roadblock they used to be.
“We have a wide selection of tippers that are used for different clients, but the 4-wheeler is limited to carrying 10-tonnes, sometimes the 8-wheelers won’t fit, and the 6-wheeler might,” explains Needle. “We weighed the Tridem this morning and give or take a few kilos it’s got the same carrying capacity as the 8x4s. The tridem configuration offers our fleet real flexibility as it provides the manoeuvrability of a 6-wheeler combined with a load capacity that is closer to that of the 8- wheeler, which helps with the profitability of our business.”
About Smiths Bletchington’s C440 Tippers
The C440 tippers have Charlton Superlite aggregate bodies with automatic tailgates and the Dawbarn Wraptor sheeting system to protect the cargo from the weather. The tipper’s 13-litre engine produces a maximum torque of 2,200 newton-metres (1,622 pounds-foot) from 925 to 1,400 rpm and has the 12-speed Optidriver ATO 2612 gearbox with automatic clutch. Smiths Bletchington’s drivers work in comfort with adjustable, heated and ventilated luxury seats, air conditioning, and leather steering wheels with controls for cruise and telephone. The cab also has multi-compartment storage and electric windscreen sun blinds.
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Source: Renault