Introduction

I grew up watching the houses in my neighborhood being built, hanging out and almost getting run over or buried alive at the construction sites, generally mesmerized by the heavy equipment. Perhaps that is why I feel a surge of excitement when I come home to a box from Herpa, the anticipation of some new and unknown cool work vehicle? Herpa, in cooperation with model railroad company Märklin, has created this new model set Mercedes-Benz Arocs Schmitz Deposit Tipper, a modern cool work semi. Decorated for construction company "Leonhard Weiss / Stuttgart 21," it is item 310345. This set is one of 429 Mercedes Benz models with 17 Arocs models currently catalogued by Herpa.

Herpa makes a second model of this set, with the vehicle number 2, and it is item 310346. Herpa describes this model as:

The excavation material from the Stuttgart 21 construction site is removed from the site by truck and train using containers especially developed by Schmitz. Herpa has newly developed this trough in cooperation with Märklin, and will realize two Leonhard Weiss articulated trucks with vehicle numbers 1 and 2 in a unique edition.

This review will examine this semi-modular construction truck model.

Arocs history

The all-new Arocs is Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ third heavy-duty special vehicle. The first was the Actros for long-haulage operations, followed by the Antos for heavy-duty distribution transportation, and now the Arocs for the heavy-duty construction segment.*

Arocs is a modular system. A vehicle can be customized with a variety of fuel tanks, a new, unique suspension and frame design, wheel bases and axle configurations, four engines, and seven cab design with 14 variants to optimism an owner's requirements. Arocs are designed to be construction machines in the 18 - 44-ton class. Semi tractors, dump trucks and cement trucks are the main variants: Loader and Grounder.

The Arocs Loader has made consistent use of every possibility to reduce its own kerb weight. The result provides payload optimised 4x2 semitrailer tractor units which are among the lightest vehicles in the construction sector, as well as 8x4/4 cement mixers with a 32 t maximum permissible weight. Thanks to their particularly low kerb weight of a maximum of 9250 kg, these vehicles are able to supply 8 m3 of ready-mixed concrete on every trip.

The Arocs Grounder is designed for operating in extremely difficult conditions, such as in quarries or on building sites. Thanks to a host of technical measures, such as a longitudinal member thickness of nine millimetres, it is extremely robust and also features particularly high levels of stability and a high load carrying capacity.**

The Euro VI engine power ranges through 16 power output levels from 175 kW (238 hp) to 460 kW (625 hp) including the brand new OM 473 in-line six cylinder engine, some with turbo-compound technology. This power is transmitted through Mercedes' PowerShift 3 automated transmission. It boasts the first electrohydraulic power steering system in a commercial vehicle.

M-B cooperated with Herpa to create these models from original plans. According to Herpa;

For over 110 years, Mercedes-Benz has been manufacturing construction vehicles and has now repositioned its range. The Arocs is the successor of both the Actros and Axor, and was designed especially for construction vehicles. The Arocs’ most important features are its hightorque, heavy-duty drive configurations and its standard Euro 6 engines. Based on original plans and in cooperation with the developers of Mercedes-Benz Herpa has realized the Arocs series in the 1/87 scale as well.

Schmitz Deposit Tipper

European modular trailer company Schmitz Cargobull creates a range of trailers for a variety of services. A customer can order custom-built units due to the Schmitz Cargobull modular design.

The Model

Herpa securely packs this almost fully assembled model set in a form-fitted tray. The tray is held inside a red Herpa carton with a cutout to view the model, and opens via tabs at each end. The carton is a new style in that the plastic "window" is no longer glued inside the carton but instead inserted as a plastic sleeve around the model tray. The tray has slots for optional parts, and slots your fingers to easily remove the tray from the box. This arraignment is surprisingly durable — past shipping boxes have occasionally been partially crushed in transit, and although some model boxes were mashed, the models were not damaged. Nicely done, Herpa!

This set is a semi-truck with a modular tipping trailer.

Molding and assembly is high-quality. I found no flaws. The sharply molded exterior features fine recessed lines for doors and hoods, panels and the grille. Door handles are flush and are the tabs that hold the cab interior in the cab shell. Rubber tires with sharp detail mounted on detailed hubs support the model. The front wheels can be made to steer if you acquire Herpa’s optional steering set. The cab looks like thhe "ClassicSpace" S-cab:

The S-cab is 2300 mm wide, available with an engine tunnel height of 170 mm or 320 mm and is characterised by the practical, comfortable workspace as well as by the staircase-like entrance, for example, plus a very good overview and its high suitability for operating profiles.***

Two sprues of optional mirror parts are included, as well as an extended hydraulic ram for posing the tipper in a dumping position.

Detailing

Arocs
The cab sets upon a highly detailed chassis: gearbox, frame, fuel tanks, air tanks, axles, springs and suspension. The windshield and windows are free of distortion and you can see the nice interior. It is worth popping the cab off to see, but I did not. Inside of the cab is detail worth popping the cab off for: bucket seats, the steering wheel, console, stick shift, and dashboard detailing.

Individual clear lenses simulate the headlights. Red-tinted clear lenses simulate the brake lights.

The windshield wipers are part of the combing around the windshield. In the front of the cab doors are slots to mount the optional side view mirrors and corner mirrors. Although the mirrors are delicate, it is a simple process.

Herpa engineered the soft plastic tires to slip over the rims. They display good tread detail.

Schmitz Deposit Tipper
This tipper appears to be a modular container and trailer pairing. The box can be raised and even removed from the trailer. The rear door opens. A hydraulic ram is provided for vertical extension. It can be attached to the cylinder and the other to the front of the tipper.

The three-axle trailer has basic underframe detail. Operating features include the container that raises, and extendable landing gear. But the trailer lacks brake lamp lenses.

Livery and Finish

The model components are molded in color. The surface of the cab is glass-smooth. The Mercedes-Benz emblem and Arocs herald are chromed, not decals. All of the Leonhard Weiss and Schmitz Cargobull stenciling is printed. Herpa does not use decals.

Conclusion

Herpa's Mercedes-Benz Arocs with Schmitz Deposit Tipper is a precise and highly detailed model. It features marvelous printing and crisp molding. The clear headlight lenses and tinted brake lights greatly enhances the authenticity. Unfortunately, the trailer lacks clear brake lamp lenses, which really detracts from its appearance.

Tipping the cab to reveal the engine can be a multi-step process and I did not try it. It would be good for Herpa to provide instructions to do so. They have for some models.

Overall, this is a very interesting model for fans of modern semis and construction vehicles. Recommended.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on Auto Modeler.
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Sources

* Daimler AG. The new Mercedes-Benz Arocs. http://www.daimler.com. January 29, 2013.

** "Mercedes-Benz Arocs." Strong, sturdy and efficient: Mercedes-Benz Arocs – The new force in construction. Daimler AG, 27 Nov. 2012. Web. 10 July 2014.

*** "ClassicSpace S-cab." Mercedes-Benz Trucks - the Arocs. The New Force in Construction. Mercedes-Benz Trucks - Arocs, n.d. Web. 10 July 2014.