Six inches lower: Mark Adams and his new Arocs 8x4

Arocs

First impressions count.

Join Mark Adams on his first day’s work in the new 8x4 Arocs with the recently introduced 320 mm engine tunnel option.


Having spent his entire working life in the bulk haulage industry, Mark Adams is not easily impressed when it comes to trucks. After just a couple of hours at the wheel, however, the latest addition to the fleet of R Adams & Sons has won him over completely. “It’s one of the best trucks I’ve ever driven,” he confirms, on climbing down from the cab at the end of his first day’s work in the new 8x4 Mercedes-Benz tipper.

Indeed, that climb down is key to the vehicle’s appeal. The Arocs 3240 is one of the first to be supplied with the recently introduced 320 mm engine tunnel option. As a result, the cab sits six inches lower than its established stablemate with 170 mm tunnel. Not only are its three steps more closely spaced, which makes getting in and out easier and less tiring for the driver, but direct vision is also improved.

Moving 24.000 Tonnes every week.

“The Arocs eight-wheelers we’d looked at previously were just too high for our tastes,” recalls Mark. “This new one is ideal though.” R Adams & Sons is based in Henley-in-Arden, south of Birmingham, and owned and managed jointly by Mark and his younger brother Andy. The firm was established over 60 years ago by their father, to distribute coal and agricultural commodities. These days, it moves over 24.000 tonnes of material every week. Much of this is aggregates and cereals, although the new Arocs is specified primarily for muckaway work. Like his brother, who drives their flagship 460 kW (625 hp) Actros GigaSpace tractor unit, there’s nothing Mark enjoys more than a day at the wheel. But with 45 trucks of their own, plus a dedicated owner-driver fleet to manage, such opportunities are becoming increasingly rare.


“The front end sank on one job and if it was a normal lorry I’d have lost the front bumper. But the Arocs came out, no problem.”

Mark Adams, R Adams & Sons


On its first day Mark and his new Arocs have worked locally, shifting no fewer than 10 loads.


A real head-turner.

“Andy and I are spending more and more time tied to a desk and on the phone,” says Mark ruefully. “I guess that’s a good thing, as it shows how busy we are. But I’d still rather be out driving.” Or riding, for that matter, because the ‘Adams boys’ also love their motorcycles. Both own Harley Davidsons and their company is a proud sponsor of the Jones Dorling Racing team, which competes in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Series of the British Superbike Championship. Back to the Arocs, though, and it’s a real head-turner with its roof-mounted light bar, air horns, alloy wheels and sun visor, as well as the personalised registration plate, RA10 RAS. Other features include headlamp grilles, a protective plate beneath the fuel tank, and a full suite of cameras and audible sensors to detect the presence of vulnerable road users.


The lower entry makes getting in and out easier and less tiring for the driver and improves Marks field of view.


10 loads on its first day.

On its first day Mark has worked locally, shifting no fewer than 10 loads. He’s ferried spoil from a building site in Alcester to a tip at Meriden, where it’s clear from the banter that he’s a familiar face, and he’s delivered sand to a plot near Droitwich, where new executive homes are going up. “The Arocs is a really nice, smooth ride,” confirms Mark, which comes as no surprise given its optional Comfort sprung cab and Comfort air-sprung seats. “The engine pulls well, with plenty of power and torque, the steering is light and the gearbox and brakes are very good. “There’s still plenty of ground clearance too. The front end sank on one job and if it was a normal lorry I’d have lost the front bumper. But the Arocs came out, no problem. It’s just a great all-round truck, so much so that I’m about to call the Dealer to order a second!”


Fotos: Impact

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