DOSSIER

MERCEDES-BENZ

LINE AROCS 8X4 AND RAISE THE LEVEL OF STRENGTH, ROBUSTNESS AND OFF-ROAD TRUCK TECHNOLOGY IN BRAZIL

If for 65 years Mercedes-Benz trucks have been recognized in the Brazilian market for their strength and robustness, the brand is raising this maximum to a level not yet reached by any competitor. The company has just launched the Arocs 8x4, an extra-heavy dump truck that will revolutionize off-road operations in Brazil, being especially suitable for mining, heavy civil construction and large infrastructure projects.

With a lot of strength and robustness, the Arocs was designed to withstand extreme operating situations, characterized by demanding topographies and challenging routes. Even at extremely high or low temperatures, it maintains an excellent standard of performance and productivity, also due to advances in technology and comfort for drivers.

This unprecedented Mercedes-Benz extra-heavy truck, with a global cab from the Arocs family, has a technical capacity for up to 58 tons of PBT - total gross weight and 150 tons of CMT - maximum traction capacity, depending on the operating conditions. And it is a vehicle prepared to receive weighbridges from 20 to 24 cubic meters of volumetric load capacity.

Established in Europe, Arocs earns specific items for Brazil...“This fantastic brute for off-road operations arrives in the country renowned for its success in Europe and in other markets”, says Ari de Carvalho, Director of Sales and Marketing Trucks at Mercedes-Benz do Brasil. "Here, it gains a series of specific characteristics to serve Brazil and other countries with extreme off-road operating conditions like ours, as it will also be exported, starting next year, to Latin America and other continents."

According to Ari de Carvalho, Arocs will offer customers the highest availability and highest productivity per ton in its segment. “From customer requests, we arrived at this efficient and profitable solution. If in 65 years on the road in Brazil, our trucks have gained a reputation as 'jack of all trades', made for all operations and needs, the Arocs not only reinforces but expands this enormous capacity and, what's better, in any terrain ” he says. “Wherever there is a very heavy load to transport, there will be the Arocs showing its performance, with technology, safety and a lot of comfort for the drivers”.

Robust and resistant power train...The Arocs arrives on the market with a powerful power train, very robust and resistant. The 13-liter Mercedes-Benz OM 460 LA engine, enshrined in the Novo Actros extra-heavy road truck, offers a power of 510 hp at 1,800 rpm, with a torque of 2,400 Nm at 1,100 rpm.

In harmony with the Mercedes PowerShift G340 12-speed fully automated transmission without a clutch pedal, the OM 460 LA delivers excellent performance with brand reliability in severe operations. Even operating in extreme conditions, the Arocs ride is smooth, without giving up the robustness necessary for its highly specialized operation.

The automated transmission, of the latest generation PowerShift 3, was developed for the Brazilian off-road market. With built-in intelligence, it stands out for its faster and more efficient gearshift. The transmission is reinforced, with wider gears, increasing its strength and service life. It does not have synchro rings, which means less maintenance is required.

This transmission is characterized by the multifunctional lever on the steering column, Hill Holder and Hold functions, which result in more practicality and safety in ramp starts.

The 12-speed Mercedes PowerShift G340 features three modes of operation:

Economy - Conditions for light use, with good ground and flat stretch. Example: empty truck. In this case, gear changes seek better fuel consumption.

Standard - Intermediate use conditions, with good pavement and smooth ramps with a loaded truck. Gear shifts also seek better fuel consumption.

Power Off-road - Conditions and severe use, pavement with low grip, steep grades and loaded truck. Allows greater control of the vehicle through the accelerator pedal.

The power take-off with lower engine speeds ensures less bucket tipping time. As a result, it optimizes the unloading of the truck.

The Mercedes-Benz HL7 HD7 rear axle set, with hub reduction, guarantees the strength already widely recognized in the market. The robustness is reflected in the technical capacity of up to 20 tons per axle. Transverse and longitudinal differential lock is standard. The drum brake and vertical springs are better protected from ground impacts.

The robustness of the Arocs 8x4 is also present in elements such as the 440 mm two-disc clutch, with a maximum torque of up to 3,300 Nm, a proven solution in mining. The thickness of each disc is 3 mm. This clutch offers long service life and more vehicle availability, in other words, more profitability for the customer.

Optimized suspension for greater durability and reliability...The front suspension of the Arocs is formed by asymmetrical 4-blade parabolic springs, with a load capacity of 9 tons for each of the two directional front axles. This ensures greater load capacity and better load distribution on the vehicle, as well as greater suspension comfort and driving stability.

The springs are specifically designed and tested for extreme off-road conditions, with stabilizer bars on the first and second axles. Maintenance-free metal-rubber bushings were introduced in the springs, dampers and stabilizers.

The Arocs rear suspension has been optimized to ensure maximum durability and reliability. It has 100 mm wide reinforced parabolic springs. Offers better stability, greater rigidity and therefore longer service life. It also features heavy-duty stabilizer bars and double-acting shock absorbers. Independent suspensions are fastened with 'jumelo'.

OTR tires and protective items...Still focusing on robustness, the Arocs comes equipped with OTR tires designed for off-road operations and with exclusive reinforced wheels.

The bumper and headlights are designed to prevent damage and reduce repair costs. The electrical system was prepared for aggressive environments, being protected from the natural impacts of uneven floors.

High standard of safety and reliability in severe operations...The Arocs comes equipped with drum brakes on the front and rear axles. This solution stands out for its high driving safety thanks to optimal deceleration values ​​in all operating conditions. The braking is precise, with controllable progressivity due to the integration with the electronic brake.

This extra-heavy tipper provides protection against functional compromise or damage to brake components due to dirt, bulk products and the like, as the enclosed design prevents debris or dirt from entering.

The Arocs electronic brake system features ABS and ASR. This brings greater driving safety thanks to the optimized braking distance compared to conventional braking systems. The built-in Hill Holder function makes it easy to move uphill.

The high reliability of the system is due to the constant monitoring of the service brake and its components with an alert system in case of failure. This results in minimized time in the shop or for maintenance through harmonized brake lining wear, wear-controlled brake energy distribution, and fault storage for quick diagnosis.

The Arocs also ensure a high level of drivability, as the ASR selectively controls the tractive force on the drive wheels when driving on slippery ground. Result: reduced wear and lower maintenance costs.

The Arocs features an electronic parking brake and Hold function. Easy to handle, this function is activated when the vehicle is stationary and pressing the brake pedal harder. It can be deactivated by the driver using a key. The function is released as soon as the accelerator pedal is operated again. Hold is activated automatically when the engine is turned off and can also be started and stopped using a lever in the cab.

An electronic parking brake differential is its automatic activation when opening the truck door when the vehicle is stationary. This system guarantees greater operating safety.

In response to customer requests, the Arocs has an oil retarder. This solution is another Mercedes-Benz market differential. In combination with other braking systems, the Voith R115 HV retarder offers around 900 hp of braking power at 2,300 rpm, making it stand out for more safety and less maintenance.

High strength tanks...The Arocs 400 liter fuel and 25 liter ARLA fuel tanks are made of high-strength plastic material. They withstand small impacts without breaking and without residual deformation. Also at the customer's request, the fuel and ARLA tanks are installed on the same side of the truck, facilitating operations in severe mining conditions.

Modern and bold cab exterior design...The overall cab of the Arocs family stands out for its bold design, which enhances the image of strength in this extra-heavy off-road vehicle. The front grille is unique in the brand's portfolio, with four fins and two side spoilers.

Plenty of space and comfort inside the cab...The Arocs cab offers plenty of interior space and driver comfort, with the necessary robustness for heavy duty: inside the cab it is 2.2 meters wide, 1.6 meters high in front of the seats and a 170 mm low tunnel.

This cabin was developed with the survival cell concept and meets the ECE-R29 standard. In other words, more safety for the driver.

There are many internal highlights in the cab: surround panel, multifunctional steering wheel, autopilot, remote control key, panel display with 10.4 cm screen, air conditioning as standard (digital optional), gear lever on the steering column and seat of the Pneumatic driver with integrated seat belt.

For the driver's convenience, the cab is also equipped with an MP3 radio with Bluetooth and USB connector, compressed air intake for internal cleaning, rubber mats, nets for objects in the rear, preparation for rear camera and PX radio, additional keys for implements and two internal storage compartments with lid behind the seats with a total capacity of 430 liters (2 x 215 liters).

Headlights and electrical system...The Arocs is equipped with halogen headlights (low, high and fog), LED DRL with automatic ignition, LED taillight with reverse sound warning, position indicator light, optical assembly heavy-duty H7 long life lamps, impact protection grids for lower maintenance demand and more availability to work and protective cover in polycarbonate.

The electrical system features enclosed tube harnesses designed and tested for off-road environments. This ensures greater strength and durability. The tubes are zipper’ on the main branches and the connectors have caps.

Robust and taller chassis frame...The Arocs chassis frame is robust and taller, ensuring greater ground clearance. With a modular design, it stands out for its ease in implementing bodies and installing equipment.

With larger angles of attack and exit (25 degrees), the Arocs is characterized by its high ability to navigate rough terrain. Front and rear bumpers higher in relation to the ground (250 mm) ensure less vulnerability of the components to impacts.

The 9 mm thick stringer stands out for its greater strength and lighter weight. The Arocs chassis comes with consoles to optimize the bodying process and with standardized spar holes for easier body attachment, without additional rework.

The Arocs chassis also ensures easy access to connections and power take-offs can be flanged or flanged.

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