A new construction range Mercedes-Benz Arocs
This year the brand with the star is expanding its current heavy-duty vehicle range with the addition of the Arocs, the specialist in construction, which follows hot on the heels of the Antos, which celebrated its market launch in the heavy-duty short-radius distribution sector in 2012, and the Actros, which celebrated its market launch in the long-distance transport sector in 2011. In addition to maximum environmental compatibility thanks to Euro VI, the new Arocs vehicles also boast three outstanding qualities: power, efficiency and ruggedness.
The new dump trucks, all-wheel drive dump trucks, cement mixers, semitrailer tractors and dropsider chassis vehicles are available as two, three and four-axle vehicles with 16 power output levels ranging from 175 kW (238 hp) to 460 kW (625 hp). From the outset, all of the engines have been designed to meet the future Euro VI emissions standard and are available to order as Euro VI versions. In order to be able to meet requirements more effectively, even in payload-sensitive applications such as in the case of dump semitrailer vehicles and cement mixers for example, the Arocs Loader and Arocs Grounder have been developed.
The Arocs Loader has made consistent use of every possibility to reduce its own kerb weight. The result provides payload optimised 4x2 semitrailer tractor units which are among the lightest vehicles in the construction sector, as well as 8x4/4 cement mixers with a 32 t maximum permissible weight. Thanks to their particularly low kerb weight of a maximum of 9250 kg, these vehicles are able to supply 8 m3 of ready-mixed concrete on every trip. The Arocs Grounder is designed for operating in extremely difficult conditions, such as in quarries or on building sites. Thanks to a host of technical measures, such as a longitudinal member thickness of nine millimetres, it is extremely robust and also features particularly high levels of stability and a high load carrying capacity. Both the Loader and Grounder belong to a broad collection of vehicles comprising the Arocs family and which range from a maximum gross vehicle weight of 18 t in the case of the two-axle models, through to 41 t for the off-road four-axle models making up the Grounder series.
The new Mercedes-Benz Arocs is available with a wide range of Blue-Efficiency Power diesel engines. Arocs customers can choose from a selection of 16 power output levels. The Bluetec 6 engines are all designed as in-line six-cylinder engines with exhaust-gas turbocharging and charge air cooling for high torque at little more than idle speed. Maximum tractive power levels of from 1000 to 3000 Nm are achieved by four displacements of 7.7, 10,7, 12.8 and 15.6 litres. Boasting specifications which include a displacement of 15.6 l, output of up to 460 kW (625 hp) and maximum torque of 3000 Nm, the new Mercedes‑Benz OM 473 diesel engine sets its own powerful tone.
Power transmission in all variants of the broad Arocs product range is implemented as standard by means of fully-automated, fast-acting Mercedes PowerShift 3 transmissions with eight, twelve or optionally 16 gears. As an option, regular manual transmissions with nine or 16 gears are available at extra cost. Both the standard Mercedes PowerShift 3 transmissions as well as the manual versions are used in combination with a new clutch generation featuring overload protection and a warning system.
At a height of up to 1120 mm, the frame of the new Arocs is therefore 115 mm higher than the comparable Actros. The newly created range of wheelbases for two-axle vehicles is also always based on a front and rear axle repositioned by 60 mm towards the rear in each case. This enables the use of even the largest specialist tyres beyond the typical 13 R 22.5 sizes used in construction, without the need for any additional modifications.
Construction vehicle customers have a choice of no fewer than seven driver's cabs in a total of 14 variants. The range comprises 2.3 m or 2.5 m-wide cabs featuring short or medium lengths and a variety of heights to accommodate ease of access and different engine tunnels. The specially designed styling of the construction vehicle family is characterised by its radiator grille with so-called "bucket-teeth" look. With steel elements on the bumpers, a functionally designed underride guard and visually integrated folding entry steps, this specialist in harsh applications achieves the ideal balance between form and function.
