Specialist in sales, rental and maintenance of construction trailers moves with market demand

For nearly forty years, Veldhuizen has specialized in the sale, rental and maintenance of trailers, semi-trailers, ramp trailers and trucks. The modifications are done in the factory of Veldhuizen Wagenbouw.

Kippers trio

"We recently delivered a beautiful trio of tippers to the Van Berkel Groep," continued Pieter Veldhuizen. Van Berkel Groep is a Brabant-based family business whose activities include green and building materials recycling and the production and trading of building materials and soil improvers. The company is also active in construction, maintenance and services in the field of landscape and infrastructure and container logistics, having its own transshipment terminals in Veghel, Cuijk and Oss. For the transport of soil, gravel, demolition waste and other bulk products, the company recently deployed three Mercedes-Benz Arocs tippers.

Extensive diverse fleet

"Van Berkel's fleet is as extensive as it is varied," knows Pieter Veldhuizen. "For example, they deploy tractor-trailer combinations with tippers, walking floor trailers and container trailers. In addition, Van Berkel has a wide range of vehicles with drop-off systems, truck-mounted cranes and fixed tippers. The most recent investment in the fleet is the three Mercedes-Benz Arocs 10×8 type 5051 tippers."

Real terrain executioners

"With the impressive 445/75R22.5 tires on both front axles and 24-inch wheels with 325/95 tires at the rear, they are true off-road executioners. Extremely suitable for heavy work," according to Pieter Veldhuizen. "Thanks to the higher tires, a high ground clearance is created, making the vehicles excellent in sand tracks."

Original axles

The trucks -which originally rolled out of the factory as 8×8 trucks- were fitted with a steered center elevator axle by Veldhuizen Wagenbouw. "This creates a particularly high payload," according to Pieter Veldhuizen. "This is an original 10-ton stub axle from Mercedes-Benz that is approved at 8 tons. For this configuration, the dealer factory ordered the 8×8 with a lower wheelbase and a modified fuel tank was fitted by Veldhuizen Wagenbouw. Furthermore, adjustments were made to the suspension of the front axles and various components were relocated on the chassis."

Great off-road capability and remarkable maneuverability

"The result is a tipper with great off-road capability and remarkable maneuverability. Drivers praise the trucks' turning radius, despite the rigid rear axles. In addition, the electrically powered ServoTwin steering system makes it particularly easy to maneuver the five-axle tippers." Michel Vermeer and Joop Steenbakkers also notice this. Both are drivers at Van Berkel. Joop Steenbakkers: "It steers incredibly light; you can steer it with one finger, so to speak." Michel Vermeer complements him: "That makes it a lot easier for us to drive on difficult terrain." 

High payload

Thanks to modifications by Veldhuizen Wagenbouw, the two powered front axles are good for two times 11.5 tons, while the two rear axles each have 9.5 tons on registration. The center axle adds 8 tons to that, creating a GVW of 50 tons. "In combination with the low own weight, this creates a high net payload," explains Pieter Veldhuizen. "And that's beneficial for Van Berkel, because more cargo can be transported per trip." 

Driver benefits

The trucks--delivered by Louwman Mercedes-Benz Veghel--are equipped with the mid-range Arocs cab, which gives extra space to the drivers. "The extra space makes you feel a lot freer and gives you a lot more storage space," says Michel Vermeer. Furthermore, the trucks are equipped with Mercedes-Benz's advanced Mirrorcam system. Joop Steenbakkers is very enthusiastic about this system: "Visibility is a lot better, especially in bad weather and in the dark. Mirrors can get dirty, but the cameras stay clean and so visibility is good. Visibility around the truck is also much better because the blind spot is a lot smaller." The insulated Hyva tippers with aluminum environmental valves were supplied by Janssen Hydrauliek Service. Mercedes-Benz is known -in addition to its high maneuverability- for its low fuel consumption and low maintenance. This makes it an extremely
suitable vehicle for companies working in the GWW and waste and recycling industries.

Also in rental

Finally, Pieter Veldhuizen indicates that this type of vehicle is available from stock on sale but is also available in the rental department. "The truck is also available as a dredge-proof version when sludge or other dredging material needs to be transported. But also as an insulated version for asphalt bitumen transport. So Veldhuizen has a suitable solution for every specific customer or project."