It is particularly noteworthy that the Arocs SLT 4463 AS 8x6 is the only all-wheel-drive truck in the Arocs series to have a wide cab. This wide cab, which enables two-man operation during lengthy operations, was retrofitted and implemented by Paul Nutzfahrzeuge. Other partners were also involved in the realization of this impressive vehicle, including RKG TruckService, the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth and the Mercedes-Benz conversion plant in Molsheim.

Ronald Ott, Head of Sales Mercedes-Benz Trucks & Fuso Germany, explained: "With today's handover, we are presenting a vehicle that sets new standards in heavy-duty transportation after months of conversion work. Thanks to the excellent cooperation of all partners involved, we are convinced that this heavy-duty truck will impress across the board and offer the driver an extremely comfortable workplace." Matthias Kirschner, fleet manager at Viktor Baumann, added: "With a truck like this in our fleet, there is virtually no freight that is too big or too heavy for us. The conversion companies have done an excellent job here and made everything possible that we wanted."

A special truck for demanding tasks
In Viktor Baumann's extreme heavy-duty operations, two, three or more coupled trucks jointly pull a multi-axle platform, such as a low-loader or a boiler bridge, from the front, while another truck pushes from behind. The new Mercedes-Benz Arocs SLT 4463 AS 8x6 serves as the last towing vehicle and forms the link to the trailer, as it is equipped with a towing capacity of up to 1,000 tons on the trailer coupling. These transports are necessary to transport bulky and indivisible goods such as heat exchangers or power transformers safely to their destination.

The truck was already equipped with a reinforced frame and the appropriate drive train ex works. At the Mercedes-Benz truck plant in Molsheim, retrofitted components such as a leading axle, heavy-duty couplings at the front and rear and a heavy-duty shifting device were then installed to prepare the vehicle for heavy-duty applications. In addition, a ballast platform was fitted by Greiner to increase traction. This extensive conversion to the wide cab was carried out by Paul Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH, a specialist in commercial vehicle construction and conversion. A total of around 9,500 parts were either replaced or newly installed in order to adapt the truck to Viktor Baumann's requirements. Care was taken to use as many series components from Mercedes-Benz Trucks as possible in order to retain the character and quality standards of a Mercedes-Benz truck.

The handover to the heavy-duty specialist Viktor Baumann GmbH took place in mid-October 2023, around one year after the original vehicle was produced. The specially converted vehicle was approved by TÜV specialists as part of an individual acceptance test in accordance with §13 EG-FGV and is therefore ready for immediate use. The 625 hp Mercedes-Benz Arocs SLT 4463 AS 8x6 will soon set off for the first time at night in an impressive convoy of over 1,000 tons of heavy cargo and take on its transport tasks.