Fleets enjoy five-star compliance with Mercedes Econic
Mercedes-Benz has been one of the truck manufacturers at the forefront of responding to the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) requirements in the capital, including through its five-star rated low-entry Econic model.
The manufacturer says Econic drivers are at an advantage when it comes to direct vision, thanks to the truck’s deep panoramic windscreen, fully glazed folding nearside door, and a low-floor cab allowing direct eye contact with vulnerable road users at junctions and in traffic.
Among the operators taking advantage of these benefits recently is infrastructure specialist Eurovia Contracting, which has based its latest 32-tonne tipper-grab on the model.
The new eight-wheeler is now in operation in London. It is the first new vehicle of its type to enter service since the operator resolved to specify only low-entry chassis for urban tipping applications.
Eurovia, whose tippers and tipper-grabs operate in towns and cities nationwide, says it is convinced of the safety benefits.
“Direct vision is crucial to the safety of our own crews, and of the public with whom we share road space,” said fleet and plant operations manager Chris Forrest.
“There are no huge blind spots impeding the view from the wheel of an Econic. Drivers are also much closer to other people on the road, which means they can see so much more than is possible from a traditional, high-riding construction truck.”
He continued: “The TfL DVS actively encourages operators working in the capital to choose the safest vehicles. These benefits are universal, though, which is why we’ve chosen to roll out this type of vehicle for all of our urban tipper and tipper-grab operations throughout the entire country.”
A 3235L ENA model, Eurovia Contracting’s truck is powered by a 7.7-litre six-cylinder engine which produces 260 kW (354 hp), and drives through a 12-speed version of the fuel-efficient Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated manual transmission.
Its ENA configuration – single front steer axle, double-drive bogie and rear-steer axle – gives the Econic an impressively tight turning circle, says Mercedes, the resulting, enhanced manoeuvrability compared to a standard 8×4 vehicle offering a major advantage for operation on the capital’s busy streets, and at other locations where access is tight.
The truck is fitted with a Thompsons steel tipping body and, immediately behind the cab, a Palfinger Epsilon crane, which has a maximum capacity of 3,700 kg and can reach up to 8.2 metres. As with all new Econics supplied through the manufacturer’s UK Dealer network, it is covered by a three-year/160,000 km warranty.
The Econic is equipped with Active Brake Assist 4 emergency braking technology. Programmed to recognise other vehicles at higher speeds, as well as pedestrians when moving more slowly, this is capable of bringing it to a complete stop.
Chris Forrest continued: “The great all-round visibility offered by the Econic’s cab can only help to make the roads safer for everyone. It also means that time spent at the wheel is less stressful for drivers, while the vehicle’s low entry and easy cross-cab access also enhances health and safety because crew members can always choose the best side at which to enter and exit.”
The manufacturer says the model’s safety appeal has been instrumental in allowing it to secure a string of high-profile orders from the construction sector in recent years, for Econic-based mixers and skiploaders, as well as tippers and tipper-grabs.
Long-established as a favourite chassis for many in the waste and recycling industry sector, the Econic has also become increasingly popular for highways maintenance operations, says Mercedes – and, when fitted with refrigerated bodywork, food distribution. Fruit and vegetable supplier Reynolds commissioned one of the first temperature-controlled Econics in 2016 (pictured, right).
An Econic-based urban tractor unit is also available.
While the Econic represents an obvious choice for safety-conscious operators in a range of sectors, Mercedes says its new-generation Actros and Arocs ranges also offer both tractor units and rigids that score competitively on direct vision.
One reason for this lies in the cab design, says the firm, with the bottom edge of the window positioned lower for improved visibility. Mercedes also highlights its MirrorCam offering – a compact, camera-based replacement for conventional mirrors. This is designed to address the problem whereby huge mirrors can serve to obstruct a driver’s view ahead.
Several operators have already opted for Actros 2.3m width vehicles, which yield a one-star rating under DVS – while those who opt for a lower mounted day or sleeper cab with an engine tunnel can achieve four stars with MirrorCam installed. For the construction sector, a 10-year permit can be acquired for a three-star 8×4 Arocs tipper with additional nearside door window, the firm adds.
“These new regulations relate solely to London, of course, but every driver, wherever they work, is safer if they can see more,” said Bob Gowans, product management and sales technical manager at Mercedes-Benz Trucks UK.
“The design of our cabs and availability of MirrorCam gives Mercedes-Benz a huge advantage in this respect, and I would urge every operator to ascertain a truck’s Direct Vision rating before they purchase.”
