Time was when a tipping artic was about as aerodynamic as a house brick (with a corner knocked off). But now, thanks to moving floor and ejector trailers you don't need a tipper with all the normal ribs and other bits and bobs sticking out into the slipstream. And the payoff is in good fuel economy as Leicestershire-based recycled product hauliers Baxters have clearly discovered.
Of course it helps to have a fuel efficient tractor too and that's where the Mercedes Actros pictured above comes in. Indeed Baxtors were so pleased with an initial tractor that it's ordered four more. The first two of that quartet of 2548 MegaSpace cab artics have just entered service, powered by 480hp Euro-5 engines, mated to new 12-speed Mercedes PowerShift automated transmissions.
Now click through here to see how they've been doing on fuel...
I am told that Baxters is a leading light in the transportation of recycled products using purpose-designed trailers with moving floors. Indeed boss James Baxter tells Biglorryblog:“Moving floors offer unparalleled flexibility. They offer a huge 125 cubic yard capacity and adapt to suit the movement of all types of load, including paper, glass, tyres, plastic, wood chip, aggregate and profuels.” They're also alot smoother and more attractive from the outside reckons BLB...but I digress.
Baxters operates a mixed-marque fleet of 16 tractor units and bought its first Mercedes Actros (a Euro-3) back in the spring of 2006. “It’s gone very well, particularly in respect of its fuel consumption,” says james, "...returning 7.7mpg at 44-tonnes. This may not sound a lot but you have to remember that the engine is running for a lot of the time when we’re stationery, because we use the PTO to 'tip' the trailer. In fact, 7.7mpg puts it right up there with the best on the fleet, while that truck has also given us no trouble at all.”
And by skipping Euro-4 and going straight to Euro-5 the company has also won out on VED rebates which will not doubt be welcome as will the higher residual values of the Euro-5 waggons. However, James says: "But the main reason is that we’re in the recycling business, so we want to minimise our own carbon footprint and promote our ‘green’ credentials at every opportunity.” And who can argue with that.
And if you want to vist Baxter's rather splendid website click on this link
Comments (1)
Subject: MORE AMUSEMENT
Here are 7 pictures of European trucks whose trailers are decorated to look like the sides are missing and the products they are hauling are painted on the sides and back.
The first one is of a bottle of beer and looks so real, like it is coming out the side of the trailer.
The second is of canvas tote bag.
The third is of Pepsi cases and they are all stacked on the ceiling, and the bottom of the trailer is empty.
The fourth is of another truck with the windshield facing the back and there has been a driver painted in the driver's seat looking back over his shoulder to appear like he is driving backwards. (Now this one is just plain scary, even when the German reads 'On the wrong way?')
The fifth one is of an aquarium with fish swimming in it.
The sixth one is of a bookshelf with books lined up in it and a post-it-note with an advertisement on it, probably for the company that sells the books.
The last one is for Pringles-Hot & Spicy. The 'inside' of the trailer has the appearance of having been through a fire.
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