Jarvis Contracting’s previous, six-wheeled Mercedes-Benz crane truck provided reliable, cost-effective service for 14 years. No surprise, then, that its highly specified successor also wears a three-pointed star.
A long-established construction group based in Hertfordshire, the Jarvis Group acquired its muscular new flagship from Dealer S & B Commercials. The 8×4 Arocs 3235 has a ClassicSpace M-Cab, behind which is installed an Italian-built, 36 tonne-metre Fassi F365A e-dynamic knuckle boom crane. Its beavertail body, meanwhile, is by Sterling Bodies, of Stokesley, North Yorkshire.
Purpose-designed for construction-related applications, the Mercedes-Benz Arocs offers a compelling blend of strength, payload capacity and performance. Jarvis Contracting’s truck is powered by a 7.7-litre straight-six engine which transmits its 260 kW (354 hp) output via a 12-speed Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated gearbox.
To reflect the fact that the truck will spend most of its time working on road, the operator has chosen rear air suspension in preference to steel springs. As well as being more comfortable and quieter for the driver, this arrangement means the body can be lowered when required, making it easier to load plant.
The Arocs is smartly finished in the Jarvis Group’s red, white and blue corporate scheme, and rides on Alcoa alloy wheels, while its appearance is further enhanced by a sun visor and roof-mounted beacons.
From a safety perspective, meanwhile, the truck is equipped with a full complement of cameras and a side-scan system that meet the FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) Gold standard.
Established more than 100 years ago by Ernest Charles Jarvis, the Jarvis Group comprises four specialist divisions: Jarvis Contracting, E7 Building Services, Jarvis Homes and Jarvis Commercial. Individually and together, they design, build and maintain all types of property for private and public sector clients, delivering new build projects with values of up to £20 million.
Jarvis Group Plant & Transport Manager David Meadows recalled: “Our last crane vehicle had been on the road since 2004 and was exceptionally reliable, so we certainly got our money’s worth.
“This experience was an important factor, of course, but it was not the only reason we chose another Mercedes-Benz. We did a lot of homework on the specification before we ordered this new truck, and S & B were able to provide us with a 32-tonne chassis that ticked all our boxes.”
He continued: “Ride height was crucial. We’d had some issues previously when manoeuvring on rough terrain, particularly with the front end, which was dragging. The Arocs provides plenty of ground clearance, with high approach and departure angles that make it ideally suited to site work.”
Jarvis Contracting works primarily in the northern Home Counties, London (north of The Thames) and the south Midlands, with its specialist retail and fit-out team operating nationally. It is now using the new eight-wheeler to transport plant and modular accommodation units from its own plant division.
The vehicle has been assigned to dedicated driver Andy Bewley. “He’s a very happy lad, and so he should be, because the Arocs is a beautiful piece of equipment,” continued Mr Meadows. “Image is important, too, and the new truck looks fantastic in our branding.”
The subject of an eight-year Mercedes-Benz Complete Service Contract, the truck will be inspected and maintained at S & B Commercials’ headquarters in Welham Green, near Hatfield.
The Arocs is also equipped with revolutionary Mercedes-Benz Uptime maintenance technology, which employs an array of sensors that monitor its condition constantly. As a result, S & B will know precisely what is required before the truck reaches the workshop, and can order parts in advance while setting aside sufficient time during a single visit to complete all tasks. Thus, the system ensures Maximised Use – one of the three pillars of Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ all-embracing RoadEfficiency strategy – for the operator.
David Meadows added: “S & B’s Key Account Manager Vick Croker went to a lot of time and trouble to ensure that we ordered exactly the right truck. He’s a true gent, very easy to deal with, and made the process a real pleasure.”
