Scrap metal recycling experts, Morecambe Metals Ltd, has added its first Renault Trucks C520 8×4 OFF ROAD vehicle to the company’s 8-strong fleet. Fitted with a Hyva Titan hookloader body and pulling a tri-axle Muldoon roll on roll off hook bin trailer, the new 7-axle combination follows a Renault D18 skip loader added to the fleet in June 2023.
Supplied by Mike Carr at Border Trucks, the new vehicle is operating out of Morecambe Metals’ Morecambe depot, working in the North West of the UK covering an area from Stoke-on-Trent to Carlisle and across to Leeds. The new C520 delivers and collects all grades of ferrous and non-ferrous metals in roll on roll off bins ranging in size from 20yd to 50yd from scrap metal recycling and waste recycling facilities as well as multiple factory and farm collections.
William De Carvalho, Morecambe Metals’ Commercial Manager explains how operator recommendation, outstanding customer service from the dealer and driver comfort were the key considerations in the new vehicle selection. He says: “Due to an ever-increasing workload, we needed a vehicle quite urgently. We conducted a review of all available makes of trucks on the market and, after getting positive feedback from a local company that operates Renault Trucks Cs, we decided to approach Border Trucks to discuss the available options and to see if they could supply a vehicle in a lead time that met our requirements.”
Commenting on the vehicle’s ability to fit into the Morecambe Metals operation, William says: “The new vehicle and trailer combination boasts 7 axles and is capable of operating at a maximum gross weight of 44 tonnes, making it ideally suited to our work. It offers good ground clearance for the range of sites we visit, along with all-round good visibility and weight carrying capability, combined with driver comfort for long motorway journeys.”
The new C520 is powered by Renault Trucks 13L engine producing a maximum torque of 2550 Nm from 990 rpm to 1400 rpm, and is connected to a 12-speed Optidriver AT 2612 gearbox (14.94 – 1) with automatic clutch. William says: “The automatic gearbox is excellent, providing very smooth gear changes and our driver says it has no hesitation in selecting the right gear especially at junctions and roundabouts.”
For driver comfort the vehicle has been specified with 4-point cab air suspension with ride-height control system, ultimate leather steering wheel with cruise control and telephone control, removable refrigerated bottle holder, additional multi-compartment storage on engine tunnel, and cab air blower. For an enhanced audio experience, the cab’s system has been upgraded with 2 loudspeakers and 2 tweeters.
Commenting on the driver’s experience, William says: “Having previously not driven a Renault Truck, the driver was initially a little sceptical. However, after collecting the vehicle and driving it for the first time, he quickly changed his mind. He is thoroughly impressed by its capabilities and comfort and now can’t praise it enough!”
The vehicle was delivered on an 80,000km, 3-year R&M contract and will be maintained at Border Trucks Carlisle workshop. William is full of praise for the team at the Renault Trucks dealership: “The service provided by Border Trucks and Mike Carr was excellent; nothing was too much trouble for him and the team. Mike and I had numerous telephone conversations discussing our requirements for this vehicle and to make sure we got exactly what we wanted and needed.” William concludes: “Our latest 2 additions to the fleet have been Renault trucks and we can see ourselves purchasing Renault trucks in the future, having been impressed with the performance and quality of the vehicles as well as fantastic backup from Border Trucks.”