Professional recovery vehicle: the Arocs "BIG ROCK" of LARAG AG

Vehicle & Technology

Wow!

Towing has never been easier – thanks to the new "BIG ROCK" of LARAG AG. And the recovery firm's Arocs is also a genuine eye-catcher.


When LARAG AG took delivery of its new tow truck in mid-December 2013, there was great excitement among the avid truck aficionados – after all, it's not every day that you get to see – let alone take delivery of – a vehicle like this special Arocs 4451 K 8x4/4 Grounder. Since then, the Arocs, which was designed for all kinds of recovery and vehicle transfer tasks, has been in service for the company in Wil in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

At LARAG, it is known as "BIG ROCK", and for good reason: the Arocs – the epitome of power, ruggedness and efficiency – is equipped with a state-of-the-art EH/W 200 Bison towing and recovery body from Austrian manufacturer EMPL. Its recovery arm and two cable winches are capable of raising even the heaviest of vehicles or freeing them from awkward situations. Use is also made of the so-called wheel lift with its maximum hoisting capacity of 15 tonnes.

The configuration of the Arocs 4451 K 8x4/4 Grounder sends out a clear message: an environmentally compatible Euro VI engine delivers sufficient power on even the toughest of assignments. Also, the 2.30-metre-wide air-sprung StreamSpace cab provides an abundance of space as well as a total of six seats. In addition, the vehicle comes with a wear-free secondary water retarder, automatic air-conditioning and hot-water auxiliary heating that makes use of the residual heat from the engine. The body also includes sufficient stowage space for the towing equipment, such as belts, chains, air jacks, tools and oil binder. Last but not least, an extendable lighting column with LED lamps lights up the scene as bright as day on night-time assignments.


Impressive appearance. With its "BIG ROCK" based on an Arocs platform, LARAG AG operates the most advanced towing and recovery vehicle in Switzerland.


The necessary propulsion comes courtesy of the 12.8-litre OM 471 six-cylinder in-line engine with its impressive 375 kW output and peak torque of 2500 Nm at 1100 rpm, which is transferred to the two rear axles via the all-synchromesh Mercedes-Benz 16-speed transmission. With a kerb weight of just under 27 tonnes, the "BIG ROCK" certainly lives up to its name. Thanks especially to a gross combination weight via the wheel lift of 120 tonnes, damaged vehicles can easily be towed to the workshop. And the two cable winches with lifting capacities of 20 and 10 tonnes make the "BIG ROCK" ideally suited for the recovery, towing and transfer of trucks and buses – even turned-over vehicles can be quickly righted again.

Apart from coming directly to the rescue at accidents and breakdowns, the new towing truck is used for transferring accident vehicles from other garages to LARAG specialist workshops in Wil as well as the branches in St. Gallen, Neftenbach and Rümlang. Its operator having obtained the necessary permit, it is allowed to do its work even on the motorway. Walter Oertli, operations manager at LARAG, is suitably proud: "We can today rightly claim to operate the most advanced towing and recovery vehicle in Switzerland."

Oertli adds: "LARAG AG has always attached utmost importance to placing the emphasis on its core competence. We are a leading provider when it comes to the professional post-accident repair of trucks, buses, cars and trailers as well as construction machinery and agricultural vehicles. The Arocs 4451 K 8x4/4 Grounder allows us to offer our services across Switzerland and in neighbouring countries and in future to live up even more to our slogan 'Full service around commercial vehicles'."

In this respect, LARAG is in a position to underline its identity with its "BIG ROCK". "We see its purchase price as an investment in jobs, because it enables us to meet our full-service promise and to transfer work to our branches," explains Oertli. As LARAG AG also attaches prime importance not just to excellently trained employees, but also to a state-of-the-art infrastructure, operations manager Oertli is in no doubt: "This vehicle from Mercedes-Benz is the perfect match for us!"

www.larag.com

Photos: Geyst/LARAG

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