The vehicles, Mercedes-Benz Axors, have been purchased alongside three 32-tonne hookloaders and three 18-tonne skiploaders. They run six days a week, collecting waste and delivering separated recyclables such as aggregates, timber and plastics to other processing facilities.
The system utilises modern equipment to segregate by density and fraction size and mechanical separation equipment to recover over 18 different products – including ferrous and non-ferrous metals and wood.
The final stage of the process is to treat the light fibrous material residue, which is typically destined for landfill, into a format where it can be used as a fuel. This material when treated typically has a reasonably high calorific value and can replace fossil fuels in most modern power generation facilities.
Developed on a four-acre ex-county council landfill site, the facility is now serving customers along the M60 corridor south and east of Manchester, and into Cheshire and Derbyshire.
Vehicle supplier
The trucks were sourced through commercial vehicle supplier Southfield Commercials, also of Stockport, and wear the smart liveries of Skiplift Waste Disposal, a sister company to A&L Environmental. The chassis were supplied by Mercedes-Benz dealer Enza, which is servicing them at its Trafford Park workshop, while their hookloading and skiploading equipment was manufactured by Manchester-based Hyva UK.
A&L group managing director, Barry Kilroe, said: “We chose the Mercedes-Benz-Hyva combination because both manufacturers enjoy excellent reputations for the rugged reliability and versatility of their products.
“Their strong brand images also compliment our own, high-profile operation perfectly, and we confidently expect these vehicles to prove efficient and cost-effective to run over the years to come.”
Capacities
The eight-wheeled Axor 3236s are fitted with light but strong Hyvalift 32 hooklift gear and Hyva Autosheeting systems. These vehicles carry bins with 20- and 40-cubic yard capacities, which are used to collect waste from commercial customers.
The Axor 1824Ks, meanwhile, feature hub reduction back axles for extra strength and durability, and steel front bumpers. They also came with optional Mercedes-Benz Autotrans automated transmissions, while the long telescoping arms that are a key feature of their robust Hyvalift 2012XL skiploader bodies make it easier for A&L's drivers to pick up and drop their eight-cubic yard skips.
Initially, the 18-tonners are primarily serving local builders. But as the new business takes off, A&L hopes to increase its penetration of the domestic market and thus bring in more waste from which income-generating recyclables can be recovered.
A&L driver Mark Knott commented: “The fact that my colleagues and I wear smart uniforms and drive new Mercedes-Benz vehicles definitely makes us feel valued.
“I couldn't be happier with my skiploader – the auto box is particularly useful when I'm on multi-drop work around town because it means that rather than having to worry about which gear I'm in, I can concentrate fully on what's going on around me.”
The A&L Group was founded by Mr Kilroe in 2008 and, as well as its waste recycling and skip hire businesses, provides asset recovery, land acquisition and regeneration services; it also operates a crane hire business that trades as K-Lift.
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