Econic 2630 L - Bolton Council (6)

Bolton Council has taken delivery of 19 refuse collection vehicles fitted with two types of Faun Zoeller body and based on the Mercedes-Benz Econic chassis.

Supplied by local Dealer Ciceley Commercials, the 19 six-wheelers are all 2630 L variants with 7.7-litre in-line six-cylinder engines that transmit their 220 kW (299 hp) outputs to the road via six-speed Allison automatic gearboxes, designed for stop-start applications.

The vehicles also come with rear-steer axles, for tighter turning circles. Other safety elements include the latest Active Brake Assist 5 emergency braking technology, with pedestrian recognition capability, and electronic parking brakes that are applied automatically when the engine is switched off.

The Mercedes-Benz Econic also has a deep, panoramic windscreen and a low seating position to enhance driver visibility.

The new models replace most of the council’s 2012 Econics models and another four dating back to 2009. The upgrade will see the new trucks deliver a 90% reduction in particulate and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions compared to their Euro-5 predecessors, while also consuming less fuel and up to 40% less AdBlue.

Eight of the new trucks are fitted with 22m3 versions of Faun Zoeller’s Variopress body and work with split Delta high-level bin lifts.

The Variopress system employs a conventional packer plate to compress the waste and was already being operated successfully by Bolton Council on the six Mercedes-Benz Econics it purchased in 2017.

The remaining 11 vehicles have been specified with cylindrical Rotopress bodies, which represent a new departure for the authority.

Built around a rotating drum, the design offers higher payloads, reduced rear overhangs, a tight seal to cut dust and odour during collection operations, and fewer moving parts, which helps lower maintenance and repair costs.

Bolton Council’s 20 m3 capacity Rotopress units are also fitted with Delta lifts and offer 11.5-tonne maximum payload capacities, up by about a tonne on their Variopress stablemates.

These trucks have been assigned to food and green garden waste collections as its rotating body helps to kick start the composting process.

Bolton Council operates a fleet of 42 refuse collection vehicles which are mainly Mercedes- Benz vehicles. The authority maintains the trucks in its own workshop, and uses Ciceley Commercials for regular parts supplies and any warranty work.

Jason Molyneux, senior team leader in the council’s waste department, praised Ciceley Commercials’ customer service, adding that the dealers reliability had kept the council loyal to Mercedes-Benz.

He added: “Our Econics have given us very few problems. The drivelines are exceptionally reliable and the cabs are comfortable and well-liked by the drivers and crews who use them.

“Faun Zoeller is also a trusted supplier, and experience has shown that its products offer the performance we need. By specifying the two different types of body, we’ve ensured that we have the flexibility to manage every kind of waste stream efficiently and cost-effectively.”

Bolton council’s executive cabinet member for environmental services, Cllr Nadim Muslim, said: “Our waste collection teams have done a great job working through the challenges of the pandemic, during which there has been a significant increase in demand for our household waste and recycling service. These new vehicles will make a real improvement to that service.”

Executive cabinet member for regeneration and development, Cllr Adele Warren, added: “This is a great step forward in our commitment to be a cleaner, greener, environmentally sustainable borough. These new vehicles will reduce carbon emissions and support our efforts to reduce pollution and deliver improved air quality in Bolton.”

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