Working under
pressure.

Econic as gully emptier for Dudley Council.

It’s hard to imagine Dudley’s townscape without the Mercedes-Benz Econic. Its high safety standards and reliability make it an indispensable helper in the waste disposal industry. Once again, Dudley Council played it safe with the recent expansion of its fleet by opting for an Econic.

Vacuuming, emptying, cleaning.

On the basis of an Econic 2630 L chassis from Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealer Rygor Commercials, Dudley already operates 35 Econics as refuse collection vehicles. This time, however, the low-entry truck will be used as a vacuum tanker in the West Midlands of England. In addition to the suction cleaning of gullies and the cleaning of blocked drains, the tasks of the new acquisition also include the emptying of septic tanks on private and commercial properties.

The disposal professional is driven by a powerful 7.7-litre in-line six-cylinder engine developing 220 kW (299 hp), whose output is brought to the road by a six-speed Allison automatic transmission perfectly designed for stop-and-go operation. The steered trailing axle also ensures very good manoeuvrability – a real plus for everyday driving. The Econic feels completely at home in narrow streets with many parked vehicles.

Getting in and out frequently during the daily trips is made much easier by the Econic’s low entry.
Getting in and out frequently during the daily trips is made much easier by the Econic’s low entry.
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A lot helps a lot.

Dudley’s new 26-tonne disposal vehicle replaces its predecessor, which weighed just 18 tonnes. The new Econic too is equipped with water tanks and a jetting/vacuum system from the supplier Whale Tankers of Solihull. However, there is a decisive advantage: The higher permissible gross weight and a longer wheelbase have made it possible to fit larger water tanks. This means less time lost in travelling back and forth to empty and refill, so the Econic can spend longer on the job. For even more efficient work.

The low entry step to the cab makes life much easier for operatives who have to get in and out many times in a working day.

Graham Timmins, Highways & Transport Maintenance Manager, Dudley Council

Enhanced safety for drivers and the general public.

With the Econic, great importance is placed on the safety of all road users. Its combination of a deep wraparound windscreen and low seating position ensures that the driver is at eye level with other road users. In addition, the Econic is equipped with a VisionTrack camera system. For complete visual coverage of the working area around the vehicle. In busy city traffic, this benefits particularly vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.

The driver receives further support from the emergency brake assistance system Active Brake Assist. The safety system can detect vehicles travelling in front as well as stationary objects within the driver’s own lane at speeds up to 90 km/h. The brakes can then be applied even faster in critical situations.

“The Econic is not only extremely reliable, but also very popular with our employees,” says Graham Timmins, Highways & Transport Maintenance Manager. “The low entry step to the cab makes life much easier for operatives who have to get in and out many times in a working day.”

Proven collaboration.

Jeremy Price, Fleet Sales Manager at Rygor Commercials, has been working with Dudley City Council for two decades and supplies the workshop team with spare parts on a regular basis. This ensures that the metropolitan borough is never stuck waiting for a vital item. “And, should we need it, expert technical advice is always just a phone call away,” says Graham Timmins.

As with all new Econics supplied through Mercedes-Benz Trucks UK’s dealer network, Dudley Council vehicles are covered by a comprehensive three-year, 160,000 km manufacturer’s warranty. Once again, the council in the West Midlands is always on the safe side.

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