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The first of a new fleet of Euro 4 Mercedes refuse collection vehicles are cleaning up on the streets of Southport.
Sefton Borough Council is replacing all of its previous refuse vehicles with 27 Mercedes with BlueTec® SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) engines. They are being supplied by Liverpool dealer Road Range Commercials, and are the subject of a leasing deal with Widnes-based specialist Muni-Serv.
Most of the new trucks are 6x4 Econic 2629LL low-entry refuse collection vehicles, although five are 15-tonne Atego 1523s, for use in areas with restricted access. All are fitted with Ros Roca compactor bodies and Zoeller split bin lifts.
They will work on an ‘alternate week’ collection service, which is now being phased in across the borough. New wheeled bins have been provided to residents and the trucks will collect ordinary domestic waste one week, and recyclable garden waste from green bins the next.
These are Sefton’s first Mercedes – the council replaces its vehicles on a five-yearly cycle and has run a Dennis fleet for the past 15 years.
“When our previous fleet reached the end of its life we invited tenders for a replacement,” says Transport Manager Vin Donnelly. “We had about 15 bids, but the total package offered by Road Range, Muni-Serv and Ros Roca was by far the best.
“The price was highly competitive and the vehicles are very well suited to the task; we’ve had Econics on hire before, so we know they are reliable, user-friendly and well-liked by our staff.
“The back-up is first-class too, and includes training for our own technicians – many of them have already completed courses at Mercedes-Benz HQ in Milton Keynes.”
Each Econic is fitted with a special ‘Gateway Module’ which reads the weights on its individual axles. The compactor bodies have an ejector wall used to empty the vehicle, but it can also shift the load forward and keep it packed in, to balance the weight over the chassis.
Mr Donnelly continues: “The five Atego will give us added flexibility by being able to get into narrower streets and tighter access locations. And the fact that we could get all the vehicles from one supplier, with the same brand of chassis and bodywork, makes things simpler and more convenient for our workshop.”
Muni-Serv has a staff of 50 and offers contract hire and contract maintenance services to fleets across the north-west. Its vehicles work for several local authorities as well as private contractors including Veolia and Focsa. The company is also an after sales agent for Hiab cranes and Multilift skip loader equipment, and a sales and after sales agent for Ros Roca. |
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