The first experience with the dump truck was unexpected. Contrary to assumptions of a rough ride, the smoothness was striking. The Mercedes-Benz 'New Arocs 4153K Single Reduction Dump,' launched in June, is a new model developed based on the fifth-generation 'New Arocs' introduced in 2021.
On September 2, I drove a total of 30 kilometers at the Belfore Resort in Chungbuk, navigating both dedicated roads and unpaved paths over approximately 45 minutes.
At 25.5 tons, the New Arocs presented a different experience from entering a typical passenger vehicle. Climbing up three to four steps, which were significantly higher than average adult height, was necessary to get inside. Once seated in the passenger seat, the view was expansive, allowing a clear sight of the roofs of most vehicles.
The most impressive aspect from the passenger seat was the smoothness of the ride. While some swaying was inevitable due to the high body, the impact from the road was significantly dampened.
The true capabilities of the truck were revealed on unpaved roads. Upon entering a quarry, I encountered various sizes of rocks and uneven surfaces. Although vibrations were felt in the passenger seat as the vehicle traversed bumps, the body remained stable, absorbing shocks effectively. On inclines, there was no sense of power loss or sluggishness.
The key feature of this model, the single reduction system, was designed for such driving conditions. By reducing the number of deceleration stages in the power transmission process compared to traditional hub reduction, it minimizes power loss and enhances fuel efficiency. This design balances efficiency and drivability, catering to the domestic driving environment that frequently shifts between construction sites and regular roads.
Safety features were also notable. Due to the large size of the dump truck, there are naturally wider blind spots beneath the driver's seat and on the vehicle's sides compared to passenger cars. The New Arocs is equipped with 'Active Brake Assist 6' to help detect and respond to front-end hazards, along with features like 'Active Sideguard Assist 2' and 'Front Guard Assist.'
During the drive, digital side mirrors displayed lines indicating the distance to surrounding vehicles. When changing lanes, additional lines showed the gap to adjacent vehicles. Considering the importance of fuel efficiency for dump trucks, the New Arocs features internal digital side mirrors, which reduce wind resistance compared to external mirrors, reportedly improving fuel efficiency by 1.5% to 2%.
While it is a dump truck and cannot be expected to match the comfort or driving assistance features of passenger vehicles, the preconceived notion of it being a 'rough and uncomfortable vehicle' was dispelled. Instead, the true competitive advantage of the New Arocs lies in its ability to reduce driver fatigue during long hours of operation while carrying heavy loads.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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