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Long-distance articulated tractor units with one million kilometres and more on the clock are relatively commonplace these days – but a six-wheeled tipper that’s been on arduous bulk haulage duties for the last 13 years is a different matter altogether.
That’s why Webbs of Armscote is so pleased to have achieved this high-mileage landmark with a 6x4 Mercedes 2527K, which it first set to work on October 10th, 1993.
Incredibly, the 26-tonne SK-series truck is still on its original engine and gearbox, and has only had one replacement clutch. What’s more, it looks every bit as smart now as it did on the day it arrived from Coventry dealer Gerard Mann Commercials.
And as Webbs Director Derek Webb confirms: “It still drives just as well too; better in fact! It’s the best truck we’ve ever had and has paid me back many times over.”
Webbs of Armscote – Armscote is a village eight miles to the south of Stratford-upon-Avon – specialises in the bulk haulage of sand, gravel, stone and topsoil for the construction industry, farmers and domestic clients.
The firm was founded in 1920 by Mr Webb’s grandfather, with a single horse and cart. Derek Webb’s wife Janet is Company Secretary.
As well as its six-wheeler, Webbs operates four 17-tonne tippers. Similarly advanced in years, though equally immaculate, these also wear the three-pointed star.
“I’ve been a Mercedes man for nearly 40 years now,” continues Mr Webb, “because they’ve always used big, understressed engines and heavy-duty components. It’s an approach that’s certainly stood the test of time in our case – as well as the 2527 I have an 1820 that’s done 900,000km and another with 800,000 on the clock.”
Webbs’ trucks are regular visitors to quarries and landfill sites as far afield as Dorset. Mr Webb, who drives the 2527 himself, explains: “It’s not a standard specification tipper. We needed a six-wheeler that would be good on the hills and on rough ground, but that could also cover up to 90,000km per year.
“For this reason I was particularly keen that it should have a six-speed splitter gearbox but this wasn’t available on the standard tipper chassis. So we went instead for a long-range haulage model which did have the splitter ’box, and then had it shortened.”
The truck, which also boasts differential locks and hub reductions on both drive axles, is fitted with a weight-saving PPG alloy body and alloy wheels – the wheels had been on a Mercedes 2421 since 1987!. Unladen it tips the scales at nine tonnes, giving a competitive 17-tonne payload.
Mr Webb also maintains the fleet himself. “I won’t buy a modern truck because of all the electronic systems they’ve had to incorporate to meet the emissions regulations,” he says.
“I prefer the older vehicles because I know I can mend them, and because the routine maintenance costs are a fraction of the monthly hp payments for a brand new vehicle.” |
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