Mercedes-Benz Atego as an all-purpose water utility service vehicle

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Stuttgart, Germany, Apr 01, 2010

- Bodensee-Wasserversorgung water utility deploys Mercedes-Benz Atego for installation, maintenance and repair operations
- With all-wheel drive, final drive ratios, differential locks and single tyres to cope with all terrains and all weathers
- Additional equipment such as a loading crane and cable winch facilitate handing and transportation of heavy pumps and piping

Mosbach/Stuttgart, Germany, Apr 01, 2010 – The Mosbach plant of the Bodensee-Wasserversorgung water utility has purchased a Mercedes-Benz Atego 1324 AK (all-wheel-drive dumper) with single tyres and specific optional and add-on equipment. The new service and maintenance vehicle is powered by a Mercedes-Benz six-cylinder in‑line engine rated at 175 kW (238 hp) in conjunction with Telligent automatic transmission. Numerous items of optional equipment for the vehicle, whose weight capacity has been reduced to a toll-free 11.99 t, make it suitable for deployment in virtually any conditions.


Differential locks on the front and rear axle in conjunction with the four-wheel drive ensure that the vehicle safely makes good headway even when bad road and weather conditions apply. Drum brakes on both axles prevent dirt and water from entering into the brake system, which could lead to diminished braking power and increase the scope of cleaning required after every deployment. The massive-bar single all-terrain tyres (365/80-20) which are fitted on both axles also ensure good headway on every conceivable type of surface, while at the same time minimising the impact on the terrain. The Atego is equipped with a Meiller tilting body, a cable winch and a body-mounted crane from Palfinger with a lateral reach of 13 m and a maximum load capacity of 400 kg. As such, the service vehicle is all set for even the most difficult deployments and well prepared for the safe and straightforward handling of pipes, pumps and other installations.

On permanent standby

The pipe network of the Bodensee-Wasserversorgung water utility totals some 1700 km in length, supplying 180 communities throughout Baden-Württemberg with water which is extracted from Lake Constance at Sipplingen. 29 water reservoirs and numerous pump stations are integrated into the pipe network, which extends up to the Odenwald region in the north. Speed is of the essence in responding to any damage, malfunctions or accidents in this network.

Each of the plants located in the communities served by the network thus has its own service vehicles to attend to any malfunctions and to carry out routine maintenance of the network. These vehicles have to be on standby around the clock, to ensure that they are on the scene as quickly as possible whenever they are needed. This means readiness for deployment at any time of the day or night, in all weather conditions and on all conceivable types of roads and terrain. Following a thorough evaluation of the given requirements and the vehicles available on the market for this special task, Bodensee-Wasserversorgung opted for the Mercedes-Benz Atego.

The Mercedes-Benz Atego 1324 AK operated by the Mosbach plant of the Bodensee-Wasserversorgung water utility was ordered from the local dealership for Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles, Autohaus Hch. Gramling GmbH & Co. KG, Mosbach-Neckarelz, and duly delivered after fitting the requested add-on equipment. Replacing a vehicle which was over 18 years old, it has since clocked up over 4000 kilometres, to the full satisfaction of the plant's management. A well-aimed investment in the future, ensuring a reliable supply of clean drinking water to the local population.

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