Mercedes-Benz Arocs has been one of the most popular dump truck chassis on the European market since its launch. Arocs took over the mantle of the special version of Thecros and became more professional and powerful. Since the release of the fourth generation of Actros, Arocs has been a brother of TheCross, coexisting symbiotically with it.
In the Adaptation of Thetros, many technologies were added to the Arocs models as well as other models. For example, electronic rearview mirrors, passenger car interiors and other configurations are integrated in the redesigned truck, which is also the most obvious feature of the redesigned truck and the classic truck. In today's article, Tiga Commercial Vehicle Network will take you to the Arocs 4145 8x6 model on the left in the picture above. The GVW of the 41 represents the vehicle is 41 tons, and the 45 represents the horsepower of the vehicle after rounding to 450 horses.
Start with the front face of the vehicle. Arocs' front grille style uses a multi-layer jagged grille, conveying a hardcore muscular feel, more suitable for off-road, engineering and other conditions, and distinguishing it from The Actos' luxurious grille. Depending on the needs, arocs also offers a variety of cab and bumper height options. On this car, the vehicle is equipped with an optional engineering bumper, a higher height from the ground, and a non-slip pattern on it, which makes it easy for the driver to clean the windshield.
The vehicle's optional engineering bumper has a steel skid plate to avoid damage to key power equipment such as engines and oil pans from being struck off-road. The car is also equipped with a headlight protection net to prevent stone splashes from shattering the headlights. In addition, due to the increase in the height of the cab from the ground, the wheel arch of the vehicle is much higher than the wheel, which has a negative impact on the visual effect.
Access to the cab requires three steps, with the lowest pedal being movable, which will not be damaged even if bumped off-road and easy to replace. The vehicle uses a narrow-body, low-top cab without a sleeper cab, which Mercedes-Benz calls ClassicSpace, the smallest cab that Arocs can choose. In this way, more space in the vehicle can be given to the top. At the same time, due to the narrow cab, the vehicle's doors are relatively small, and the hem does not cover the foot pedals.
The model we are looking at today uses an 8x6 drive form, the first axle and the third and fourth axles are wheelside deceleration drive axles, which are characterized by a recessed hole in the shaft head. In Europe, the 8x6 configuration is far more popular than the 8x8. In actual use, their off-road escape effect is similar, and the 8x6 configuration not only reduces the fuel consumption of the vehicle, but also reduces the difficulty of the arrangement of the powertrain. In addition, the configuration of the OM471 engine + Mercedes-Benz PowerShift transmission gives the vehicle a strong maneuverability.
The vehicle's main rearview mirrors were replaced by MirrorCam electronic rearview mirrors, while the additional landscaping mirrors were not removed. At present, a number of European truck manufacturers have launched electronic rearview mirror solutions that specialize in blind spots on the side, and Mercedes-Benz has no corresponding solution here. MirrorCam is now the standard for Mercedes-Benz's new generation of trucks, and the corresponding starting price has also risen. In the European market, many new generations of Arocs have opted for optical rearview mirrors, because drivers believe that electronic rearview mirrors are less reliable than traditional rearview mirrors. Mercedes-Benz claims that the electronic rearview mirror is as good in terms of reliability, and the cost of repair and replacement is comparable to that of the optical rearview mirror.
Subject to the vehicle's compact chassis layout, the huge post-processing system cannot be crammed between the first and second axles, and can only be placed in the middle of the second and third axles. The post-treatment system is covered with a complete coating that prevents burns on the staff and enhances reliability. The brake gas receiver and the brake triangle wood are also installed here, while the fuel tank is placed on the left side of the chassis.
An optional pedal is fitted under the main driver's side storage compartment, allowing the driver to easily observe the rear of the vehicle without getting out of the car. Efficiency is optimized and security is enhanced.
The vehicle's rear bumper can be folded upwards, giving the vehicle a greater angle of departure and optimizing off-road capabilities. The rear axle is suspended by leaf springs, and the double rear axle is equipped with a double tire layout, which has a stronger load carrying capacity. The vehicle is also fitted with Mercedes-Benz's SercoTwin electronically controlled hydraulic steering system, which was developed for 8x6 and 8x8 Arocs trucks in response to the difficulty of steering for all-wheel drive trucks. When playing in the direction, you don't have to make every effort, which reduces the driver's work difficulty.
The vehicle features Mercedes-Benz's new generation of multimedia cockpits. Electronic handbrake, one-button start, pocket gear, touch screen, wireless charging and other configurations are installed, luxurious like a passenger car. A number of power connectors are also installed on the top and sides of the dashboard to facilitate the use of the vehicle.
The new design language of the electronic dashboard looks great, with a variety of display modes to choose from and can be controlled via multi-function buttons on the steering wheel. The level of intelligence is one of the best in trucks.
Controls such as air conditioning and music are integrated into the touch screen. While making the interior of the vehicle look more simple and luxurious, the control of the vehicle brings some cumbersomeness. Even Mercedes-Benz put the control of the power take-off in the screen, which is a bit confusing.
The differential lock's control knob is placed under the handbrake, taking up space for a cup holder to install.
The display screen of the electronic rearview mirror is placed on the A-pillar, and the layout is consistent with the Actros truck. The advantage of this screen is that it is high brightness, and the disadvantage is also that it is high brightness. The screen has an adaptive brightness system that adjusts the display brightness according to the ambient brightness. During the day, the system is still quite perfect, but at night, even if the screen is turned to the lowest brightness, it will still be a little dazzling, and many drivers will choose to paste a matte film to solve it.
The co-pilot seat of the vehicle also has an airbag shock absorption function, providing a more comfortable riding experience for the co-pilot.
The vehicle is not equipped with a sleeper, and the space behind the seat is used to install storage boxes. There is an observation window on the rear wall of the cab to observe the working status of the top.
The vehicle's tops are made of wear-resistant steel by the veteran European company Meiller Kipper, with a three-way tipping function and an automatic tarpaulin function. Mercedes-Benz has established cooperative relations with many topsize companies, and truck drivers can buy modified and tested dump trucks directly from 4S stores.
In summary, the advantages and disadvantages of this Arocs are very obvious. The advantages are: the vehicle is more intelligent, the power transmission is better, and the reliability is among the best in European trucks. The downside is that the powertrain arrangement inherited from the Actros makes the boarding height so high that entering the cab is like climbing a mountain. Vehicles are more expensive to acquire and smarter than traditional configurations, making them a trade-off for vehicle owners.
If it were you, would you choose to buy such a dump truck? Talk to us in the comments section. Thank you for reading this article! If you want to see more interesting and informative commercial vehicle content, don't forget to follow us!
Text: Heseaotter