Ferns aims for a better view

Having a better view of something is likely to improve safety. To this end, utilities contractor Ferns Surfacing in the United Kingdom has added new Mercedes-Benz Econic trucks to its fleet.

The 32 tonne tippers with Epsilon grab cranes were put to work on reinstatement and road re-surfacing duty in and around London. The Econic series has low cabs with a deep panoramic windscreens and fully glazed passenger doors to give the driver a better view of pedestrians, cyclists and so on in congested city streets.

The Econic 3235L ENA models have single front steer axles, double-drive bogies and rear-steer axles. Power is from a 7.7 litre six-cylinder diesel engine producing 260 kW. It drives through a six-speed Allison automatic gearbox. The Epsilon M125L cranes have clamshell buckets and offer a maximum outreach of 8.2 metres.

Additional safety features include audible left-turn alarms and all-round CCTV to help drivers with images of both sides and the rear.

Ferns said it anticipates adding up to 10 more over the next year for its London operations.