The new SLT heavy-haulage vehicle: top-class specialist for toughest operations Design: imposing appearance Cab: functional workplace and comfortable living quarters Engine: Mercedes-Benz OM 473 with 3000 Nm Power transmission: the only heavy-duty tractor with 16 gears Turbo retarder clutch: unique start-up and braking system The new SLT heavy-haulage vehicle is a high-calibre specialist developed by Mercedes-Benz to meet the requirements of this highly demanding transport segment. Customers opting for the new heavy-haulage vehicle benefit from highly specialised vehicles produced by a single manufacturer with perfectly coordinated components: engine, transmission and axles all bear the Mercedes star. The basic SLT vehicle is manufactured at the Mercedes-Benz Wörth truck plant and completed by the subsidiary CTT (Custom Tailored Trucks) in Molsheim, France. Made-to-measure heavy-duty tractor unit – ready for any application Mercedes-Benz is producing the new heavy-haulage vehicle in numerous variants. An outstanding choice on all fronts is the air-sprung Actros SLT with the spacious GigaSpace and BigSpace cabs measuring 2.5 m in width. The steel-sprung Arocs SLT based on the particularly robust Arocs Grounder is also available with the BigSpace cab as well as the StreamSpace cab measuring 2.3 m in width. A broad product range awaits the customers, in terms of drive configuration, number of axles and wheelbase (distance between first front axle and first live rear axle). The air-sprung Actros SLT is available as: Actros SLT 6×4, wheelbase 3400 mm or 4000 mm Actros SLT 8×4, wheelbase 4000 mm The steel-sprung Arocs SLT is available as: Arocs SLT 6×4, wheelbase 3300 mm or 3900 mm Arocs SLT 6×6, wheelbase 3900 mm Arocs SLT 8×4, wheelbase 3900 mm Arocs SLT 8×6, wheelbase 4200 mm Arocs SLT 8×8, wheelbase 4850 mm The four-axle variants form the core of the range. In this configuration the technically permissible gross vehicle weight is 41 t, while the individual axle loads (from front to rear) are nine, eight and 2×13 t. For export markets, higher tractor GVWs of as much as 48 t for the Arocs 8×8 are possible. The permissible gross combination weight for all models stands at 250 t. The SLT is an extremely robust high-tech heavy-haulage vehicle which is designed to cope with the highest levels of stress and strain. For operators who do not have to contend with such extremes and who can get by with total truck and trailer weights of up to 120 t in predominantly easy-going terrain, the SLT is also available as a semi-heavy version without turbo retarder clutch and without an auxiliary radiator system. A total truck and trailer weight of 150 t is then also possible, subject to certain restrictions in the course of individual approval procedures, depending on the equipment on board and the area of operation. Elegant but powerful design A defining feature of the new heavy-haulage vehicle’s impressive appearance is its powerful design. Both attractive and functional are the side panels on the cooling tower behind the cab, with large cooling air intakes on the right-hand side. These flaps in glass fibre-reinforced plastic take up the lines of the cab, lending it a longer appearance. In addition to the cooling system for engine and turbo retarder clutch, the cooling tower also accommodates the hydraulic system, compressed air tank and fuel tank. While unmistakeably based on the Actros and Arocs, the SLT heavy-haulage vehicle optionally sports a distinctive characteristic in the form of a bumper centre section featuring an attachment bracket for a heavy-duty coupling to be deployed in pushing mode. Hydraulic and brake connections are provided at this point for such applications. Steps are additionally integrated for servicing work. SLT cab: functional yet comfortable The heavy haulage vehicle’s developers have chosen three spacious long-haul cabs for the SLT from the diverse range of cabs available for the Actros and Arocs. Mercedes-Benz supplies the air-sprung Actros SLT with the GigaSpace and BigSpace cabs in a width of 2.5 m. The GigaSpace cab boasts a particular abundance of space inside, with up to 2.13 m of headroom, ample freedom of movement and impressive stowage capacity. The steel-sprung Arocs SLT is available with the spacious BigSpace cab offering 1.99 m of headroom. The Arocs interior is especially functional and easy to care for. Like all Mercedes-Benz trucks belonging to the new generation, the Actros SLT and Arocs SLT benefit from an ergonomically perfect and driver-oriented cockpit with readily legible instruments, an informative colour display and a multifunction steering wheel. The driver’s comfort suspension seat boasts a large seat surface and a backrest with shoulder support. The seat features diverse adjustment options. A climatised suspension seat with massage function is optionally available. The comfortable beds on board the heavy-haulage vehicle fit the bill for restful sleep. The beds are 750 mm wide and up to 2200 mm long. A second bed of the same quality is optionally available on the upper level in the heavy-haulage vehicle. Stowage compartments with a capacity of up to 558 l are available under the bed. These are accessible from outside via large stowage flaps on the left and right. To this end, the air intake for the engine runs behind the cab along the right-hand side of the vehicle. A refrigerator can optionally be integrated in the spacious drawers of the centre section under the bed. Large, locking stowage compartments above the windscreen can hold up to 332 l of luggage. Top engine for the SLT: Mercedes-Benz OM 473 The Mercedes-Benz SLT is powered by the Mercedes-Benz OM 473 in-line six-cylinder engine. 15.6 l displacement, maximum 460 kW (625 hp) of output and up to 3000 Nm of torque are the credentials of the BlueTec 6 engine. Superlative performance and robustness are outstanding characteristics of this engine. Around 2500 Nm of torque are on tap directly from just above idling speed on all variants. The engine’s rated speed is exceptionally low, at just 1600 rpm. This means vast power in the main operating range. This gives rise to unusual flexibility and pulling power – a major benefit above all in […]
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