Recycling construction and demolition waste specialist, Delta Group, has introduced five new Mack Anthem 10x4s into its Victorian fleet.
The 435hp Anthems, powered by a 13-litre MP8 engine are officially the first of the new Mack Anthem range to find deployment at Delta Group, who have traditionally preferred cabovers.
After just six weeks in action, the new Mack trucks have demonstrated uncommon versatility, working on some 40 projects currently underway in different stages across Melbourne according to Dominic Santullo, Delta General Manager Recycling & Logistics.
“Normally we’ve selected cabover for access into the CBD,” Santullo said.
“These new Macks are getting in well on those type of projects which typically present a challenge to heavy vehicles.
“It’s quite a unique type of truck in that it can give you a bit of everything, which squares nicely with our business model,” he said.
“It can work well in demolition, civil earthworks and also in the quarry space. We’ve built these trucks to suit all three of those applications.”
Delta’s large fleet comprises an array of different configurations with 8x4s, 10x4s, truck and dogs, super dogs, semi-tippers, hooklifts and livebottom floors.
The 10×4 configuration, according to Santullo, is gaining in popularity when it comes to combating the lack of access in CBD type locations, or just getting truck access into sites from smaller side roads.
“The new Mack Anthems are equipped with a liftable pusher axle. That Mack axle is good because it’s delivering better traction – especially, for instance – when it’s going up and down driveways,” said Santullo.
With Mack being part of the Volvo family, Delta already had a trusted established connection, having purchased many Volvo units over the years.
“It’s a proven drivetrain with the Volvo running gear and that for us ticks a lot of boxes,” said Santullo.
“For a rigid they’re perfect and the power is more than ample.”
The driver feedback has been uniformly positive according to Santullo.
“The driver instruments are well appointed and driver comfort is a plus,” he said. “A lot of the drivers are putting their hands up to drive these trucks. That’s always a good sign.”
It also helps that the new trucks are visually pleasing to the eye.
“If you look at the finish with the chrome rims, mirrors and other details they’re quite an impressive looking truck,” Santullo said.
“Combined with the Delta branding, they look good on the road.”
The bodies were built by Muscat Trailers, a relatively recent partner for Delta.
“We’re happy with the quality of the body and value dealing with a family business,” said Santullo.
“Troy, the CEO, is a thorough operator. He pushes hard when he has a deadline and he’s diligent. Having the Mack truck with the Muscat bodies has been, between the two of them, a really good combination.”
Delta, who purchase their trucks outright, will likely run the Anthems to the end of life.
Santullo is confident the fleet will add to its Mack Anthem units in the near future, and likely in interstate locations as well.
“There will be more to come in the near future,” he said. “Delta is an industry leader, and I think other companies will follow suit.”
