Josef Schlechta doesn't like sharing his Actros 3346

His Actros is special. If a colleague occasionally drives his red tipper truck, Josef gets an uneasy feeling. "I'd like to think that I'm a nice person. But... if my truck isn't handed back to me in exactly the same condition as when I last used it, then I get mad." 270,000 kilometres are already on the clock of the red Actros 3346 which, up to now, has been "brutally robust". Just as it should be.

The 35-year-old from Upper Bavaria drives for Harrer GmbH in Waakirchen, where he predominantly drives short-radius routes to Munich and surrounding areas, often not exceeding a radius of 60 kilometres. It's more family-friendly than other tours. And it allows him to sleep in his own bed at night, as well as to read a bedtime story to his son and daughter each night. "If I didn't have any family, I would probably be driving long-distance haulage trucks," he says. "100 % sure."

Back in the 1970s, the MB-Trac was technologically ahead of its time, Josef says. For example with its sprung driver's seat and front axle. Plus there's also the look of the vehicle: the attractive contrast between the original yellow-green colour and the red accessories. "It definitely has something special about it; it's no ordinary tractor."

Not only is Josef's MB-Trac colourful, but so too is his entire life – there's always plenty going on. For example in the four hectares of forest which he cultivates. Here, his MB-Trac comes in really useful, drawing the wood back home which he needs for his heating. "There's lots of woodland in this part of the world," continues the trained truck mechanic. "And they should be used and, of course, properly looked after." For him, it's the ideal offset to his life on the roads. He confirms this in his strong Upper Bavarian accent: "I love being among nature. You have peace and quiet here".

Photos: Silja Schriever, Josef Schlechta