Markus Pisecker transports sugar beets in his Actros Racing Edition
Story
Between September and Christmas, the sugar beet harvest goes into overdrive. Markus Pisecker delivers the beets from the field to the sugar refinery – in an Actros Racing Edition.
Fourth generation: Markus took over at the helm of the family business in 2010.
In the wine-growing district of Lower Austria, the low cloud, light ground fog and temperatures barely above freezing give the day a distinct autumnal feel. Out in the field, Markus Pisecker is reversing his Actros the last 250 metres down the track with purposeful accuracy. Having reached his destination, loading can now commence.
Slick procedures.
The start of the "beet season" in eastern Austria kicks off a tightly organised sequence of events. Thousands of tonnes of sugar beets are harvested between the beginning of September and Christmas. At the two sugar refineries owned by Agrana in Tulln and Leopoldsdorf, operations run round the clock because the evaporation process, a vital stage in sugar production, cannot be interrupted.
Which means that the supply of beets – of the right quality and in the right quantity at all times – also needs to be guaranteed. To keep everything running like clockwork, a lot of cogs have to intermesh perfectly.
26 tonnes of beets.
Markus Pisecker is an integral part of this "clockwork" system. Just now, he's keeping an eye on the beets tumbling into the three-axle large-capacity semitrailer tipper of his Mercedes-Benz Actros 1858 LS tractor unit. A few minutes later and the maximum permissible payload of 26 tonnes has been reached. And Markus can set off to the sugar refinery.
Fourth-generation family firm.
The 46-year old is his own boss. Eight years ago, he took over at the helm of "Pisecker Transporte", the fourth generation of his family to run the firm which was founded back in 1938. "As a company, we've always set great store by Mercedes. There's never been any reason to change", says the man from Lower Austria. With his five Mercedes trucks, he focuses primarily on transporting solid materials. He carries construction materials for brick manufacturer Wienerberger. The acquisition of a new refrigerated semitrailer has recently allowed him to branch out into the food transport sector. And his Actros keeps him busy in the sugar beet business.
A job for early risers.
Today, his first consignment, which he'd already loaded onto the truck the previous evening, was at the factory in Tulln by 6:00 a.m. Despite the fact it wasn't possible to start unloading until 7, he likes to get there early. "Otherwise I'd have to wait forever. By 6:00 a.m., this huge parking area by the entrance gate is already packed to the hilt with trucks and tractors. You have to get up early during the beet season" says Markus, smiling.
Chatting with colleagues.
While waiting, Markus kills time in the snack bar next door. During the season, the owner opens up earlier for the sugar beet hauliers. Most of the drivers know each other. Despite the unearthly hour, they swap the latest gossip over a coffee and chat about the business.
Several hours later, Markus Pisecker stops his truck for the second time that day outside the unloading station. Three trucks are ahead of him in the queue. "Can you move that dusty rust bucket of yours over to the side a bit please", he jokes with another driver.
"You're spoiling the view of my beautiful Mercedes." Much laughter all round. Then talk turns to the powerful performance of his Actros. With a power output of 425 kW, the Racing Edition leaves nothing wanting.
Markus particularly likes the paintwork and the chrome slats on the radiator grille.
Markus particularly likes the paintwork and the chrome slats on the radiator grille.
Markus particularly likes the paintwork and the chrome slats on the radiator grille.
Markus particularly likes the paintwork and the chrome slats on the radiator grille.
Markus particularly likes the paintwork and the chrome slats on the radiator grille.
Markus particularly likes the paintwork and the chrome slats on the radiator grille.
Markus particularly likes the paintwork and the chrome slats on the radiator grille.
Markus particularly likes the paintwork and the chrome slats on the radiator grille.
On the road with the Racing Edition.
Markus beams with delight: "It's a fantastic vehicle. Not even the steepest mountains can stop me." Where exactly does he find these mountains, here in this flat region of Eastern Austria? No matter, the haulier is now full of enthusiasm: "I practically have Mercedes running through my veins and I'm a huge fan of motorsports.
So it was inevitable that I'd live out my passion in my fleet as well." So is he pleased with his truck? "What do you mean by pleased?"
Markus smiles: "There is nothing about this vehicle that I do not like. The sound system is fantastic, it's equipped with every imaginable safety system, the price/performance ratio is just right and we have a great working relationship with the workshop."
Photos: Florian Engel
Video: Christoph Kölbel
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13 comments
Pass schön auf das gute Stück auf und weiterhin viel Spaß damit
L. G. Udo
Pass schön auf das gute Stück auf und weiterhin viel Spaß damit
L. G. Udo
Gruß
Klaus
Gruß
Klaus
Gute Fahrt
Gute Fahrt