Clearaway expands skiploader fleet

Clearaway’s new Atego 1524 skiploaders join a fleet of 15 other Mercedes-Benz units. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Featuring a short, ClassicSpace S-cabs and Hyva lifting equipment, the two of the 16 t vehicles were recently delivered to the family-run company, which is based in Essex in the United Kingdom and recycles around 200,000 t of waste material a year.

The Atego units are designed to provide a high level of productivity and are fitted with Mercedes’ 175 kW six-cylinder engines, and incorporate the manufacturer’s PowerShift automated manual transmission. 

The units, which were provided by local dealer Sparshatt Truck & Van, have payload capacities of almost 7.5 t and join’s Clearaway’s 15-unit-strong fleet of Mercedes-Benz trucks.

These include a further four skiploaders - two 13.5 t and two 7.5 t units, a hook-loader, a tipper with the rest of the fleet made up of the manufacturer’s Arocs skiploaders. 

Paul Whitehair, co-owner and founder of Clearaway Recycling, said: “We’re really pleased with our first 16-tonners. They’re no bigger than the 13.5-tonne Atego, but each offers a very useful increase of approximately 2,400kg in body and payload allowance.”

The Atego 1524 skiploaders have payload capacities of almost 7.5 t and feature a short chassis. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

He added: “Our Mercedes-Benz trucks have proved over the last 10 years to be exceptionally strong and reliable, which is crucial given the nature of our operations.

“Skip-loaders will always get knocked about a bit, yet we still have a couple that are on 15-plates – I was going to let them go a little while back but haven’t done so yet because they’re still good, solid trucks that continue to stand the test of time.”

Clearaway’s new skiploaders will be inspected and maintained under a Mercedes-Benz service contract by dealer Sparshatt Truck & Van.

Paul said: “The Dealer’s mobile technicians come to us to carry out the six-weekly checks and routine services in our own, three-bay workshop, which is obviously very convenient. For any major work, though, the vehicle goes over to them.”