Exploring heavy haulage with the Arocs

HEAVY HAULAGE

Explore Plant and Transport Solutions rely on their fleet of tough and powerful Arocs trucks.

Heavy haulage is no problem for this company and their range of robust Arocs vehicles. We caught up with team members John and Jason to get the lowdown on large loads, eye-catching liveries and turbo features.


Safety, efficiency and great service.

Explore Plant and Transport Solutions specialise in the supply of transport and plant hire services to a wide range of industries including construction, rail and aerospace. Founded in 2015 by Managing Director David Cox, it has become one of the fastest growing haulage and plant hire businesses in the UK with seven depots nationwide, 150 vehicles and 6,000 plant assets.

The company prides itself on its dedication to safety, efficiency and great service - essential values in the heavy haulage sector.

Every vehicle in the fleet is fully FORS Gold accredited and CLOCS compliant. Each unit is fitted with 3G G-force activated multi-camera systems as well as a pioneering self-contained offloading system.

John Whitehurst is the ‘Head of Mixers and Heavy Haulage Division’, managing the Mixer fleet, Concrete Washout Service and Specialist Transport Services. He explained the typical role of trucks in the latter group, “Our Specialist Transport Division focuses on the movement of all types of abnormal and overweight loads up to 250 tonnes, and offers bespoke services including route surveys, movement orders, BE16 special orders, test drives and swept path analysis.”



A fantastic fleet.

The division boasts a range of trucks in its fleet – 65 tonne tractor units to 250 tonne models including rigid and arctic lorry loaders, from a variety of different manufacturers.

All of the specialist tractor units and trailers utilise the most modern technology, whilst the company’s trailer fleet includes the best in class products available from Faymonville, Nooteboom and Broshuis, designed to maximise payload and minimise length and height.

In total, Explore has six Mercedes-Benz Arocs trucks: an 8 x 4 250 tonne, an 8 x 4 180 tonne and four 6 x 4 150 tonne models.



“The one that stands out the most is the Arocs SLT 8 x 4. The vehicle looks impressive and stands out on the road, dwarfing the vehicles around it when it has a large abnormal load.”

- John Whitehurst, Head of Mixers and Heavy Haulage Division, Explore Plant and Transport Solutions


The Arocs gets the job done.

The Arocs vehicles have to be tough enough to carry some incredibly heavy loads and they certainly live up to the challenge. As John puts it, “The Mercedes-Benz trucks are fantastic in the way they operate and they do stand out.”

Drivers are experienced in moving a variety of large and overweight loads across the UK and Europe with routes changing on a daily basis. The team must stay agile, just like their vehicles – the Arocs trucks ensure the job gets done and thanks to the bright company livery, the models earn many an admiring glance along the way!

“For me the one that stands out the most is the Arocs SLT 8 x 4. The vehicle looks impressive and stands out on the road, dwarfing the vehicles around it when it has a large abnormal load. We are always sent fantastic photos from the spotters of this unit,” enthused John.



“The turbo feature is an especially great asset for when we are moving large heavy machinery. It really is a game changer for the drivers when they are on site.”

- Jason Talbot, Specialist Transport Planner, Explore Plant and Transport Solutions


Game-changing features.

Jason Talbot is the Specialist Transport Planner at the company, however he previously worked as a heavy transport driver for three years, so he knows the job from both sides.

He is in agreement with John that the most impressive model is the Arocs SLT 8 x 4. “These models have the Turbo Retarder Clutch which allows the transfer of power from the engine quickly and efficiently making it easier to switch and navigate a whole range of terrains,” he said.

As a trained driver, he appreciates any features which improve the driving experience and allow the team to adapt to changing and challenging situations, he continued, “This turbo feature is an especially great asset for when we are moving large heavy machinery. It really is a game changer for the drivers when they are on site.”



Spot the heavy haulage.

Explore’s super strong and robust trucks are both impressive and aesthetically pleasing.  We hope to see them on the roads ourselves but will be sure to make plenty of room for the abnormally large loads they are towing!

Let us know if you spot them too!



Do you love the gorgeous livery on these Arocs trucks?

Maybe you drive an equally eye-catching three-pointed star truck? Tell us about it and share some photos in the comment section.

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