News from Mercedes-Benz: Vehicle transportation services specialist KHL Logistics has marked its silver anniversary by investing in a Euro-6 tractor unit bearing the silver, three-pointed star of Mercedes-Benz.
The Swansea-based operator’s 4×2 New Actros 1843 LSnRA arrived via the city branch of Dealer Euro Commercials (South Wales). It has a CompactSpace cab specifically designed for car transporters, concrete pumps and other applications requiring a low roof, as well as a low frame and lower profile tyres. Taken together, these measures give the cab a roof height of 2649mm, 360mm lower than a standard New Actros ClassicSpace.
The fully air suspended chassis underwent conversion by Belle Trailers, of Great Dunmow, Essex, which fitted the rear-mounting plate with fifth wheel assembly that allows the truck to work with a Lohr trailer capable of carrying 11 cars.
KHL Logistics was founded in 1988 by Alf Leswisse and his son Karl, the Managing Director. It provides individual and fleet movement services throughout the UK and Ireland for manufacturers, dealers and auctioneers, and also offers secure storage for up to 600 cars at its Enterprise Park headquarters.
KHL’s New Actros is powered by a state-of-the-art 430 hp straight-six engine that drives through a Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated transmission. It has joined the operator’s ‘front line’ fleet of 11 transporters of varying sizes – the operator also has an Actros that dates back to 2003 and still provides reliable service.
Alf Leswisse said, “We’d seen and heard a lot of good things about New Actros fuel efficiency and we certainly liked the look of the new model. Euro’s truck sales executive Steve Bastin brought along a demonstrator which was very impressive, so we decided to give it a try.
“We move vehicles in and out of London and the truck’s Euro VI engine will protect us against future operating restrictions based on emissions. So if the New Actros lives up to our expectations – and first impressions are entirely positive – then there’s every prospect that we’ll be going back to the dealer before too long to talk about a couple more.”