Actros: Chassis - Mercedes-Benz Trucks

Frame.

In addition to its sturdy, durable and body-friendly construction and lightweight design, the Actros frame boasts two more outstanding features: it has an innovative integral rear end for 4x2 and 6x2 semitrailer tractors and a cleverly designed frame front end.

Bolted connections are used throughout, making it easy and inexpensive to replace parts when carrying out repairs. In addition, the front underride guard has been weight-optimised to reduce unladen weight. Another benefit is that the headlamps on the Actros are located above the areas of the front apron that are particularly vulnerable to stone chip impacts. The optionally available chassis underseal provides effective corrosion protection for the chassis and frame components. The protective film is transparent to allow metal surfaces to be visually inspected and model plates to be read.

Further advantages.

Depending on tonnage, four different side member thicknesses are available: 7 mm, 8 mm, 9.5 mm and 9.5 mm with reinforcements for construction vehicles uniform frame taper
50 mm hole pattern for precise, efficient body planning
Or use of standardised bodies corrosion protection provided by cathodic dip priming
Wheelbase variants from 3,300 mm to 6,000 mm

Content chassis 01 — Sturdy, durable and body-friendly – the frame.

Actros Lowliner.

If it's volume rather than payload that's a determining factor for the profitability of your operations, then the Actros Lowliner could be just the right vehicle for you. It has much more to offer than just a 3-metre loading height. There's the task-oriented drivetrain, for instance. And the single-reduction HL 6 hypoid rear axle which, combined with direct-drive transmissions, ensures economic, fuel-efficient operation.

Integral rear end offers more scope for attaching implements.

Our task was clear: to create greater flexibility for the attachment of tanks or other auxiliary units. And the result is pretty impressive: for Actros semitrailer tractors with air suspension, this concept has freed up almost the entire area on the left-hand side behind the cab. To achieve this, the batteries and compressed-air tank have been integrated into the area between the rear axle and the end cross member. The compressed-air drier, 4-circuit safety valve and trailer control valve were moved to the inside of the frame. This has created "installation space" which can be used for an additional fuel tank, for example. This would give an air-sprung 2-axle semitrailer tractor a tank volume of up to 1,430 l¹, for example. The concept also makes it much easier to attach hydraulic pumps or compressors. So you see: the integral rear end² doesn't just give you a lot of "installation space" but some major advantages too.

Content chassis 02 — More scope for attaching implements – the integral rear end.

Robust, flexible, task-oriented. The suspension of the Actros.

With its three suspension variants – namely steel/steel, steel/air or air/air – the Actros meets all the demands that you can make of a contemporary vehicle: high roll and driving stability, precise directional stability, discernible suspension comfort and maximum traction. The air suspension on the Actros features air spring bellows which are positioned at the lateral extremes to reduce roll tendency and thereby improve stability. The air suspension is combined as standard with Telligent® level control which is noted for its high raised heights. This is particularly advantageous when using demountable bodies with different ground clearances, for example.

Telligent® roll control is available as an option for chassis with full or partial air suspension, offering automatic shock absorber control for even more comfort, safety and protection of the load in transit. The steel-sprung Actros variants feature parabolic springs with zero-maintenance rubber molecular bearings. These are quieter than conventional trapezoidal springs and up to 40 % lighter. All vehicles are also fitted as standard with shock absorbers tailored to their tonnage, as well as front and rear-axle stabilisers.

2-bellows air suspension.

In addition to the stabiliser link, which cuts the weight of each air-sprung rear axle by a good 90 kg, the 4x2 and 6x2 semitrailer tractors and platform vehicles have a further weight-reducing feature: 2-bellows air suspension. But the 30 kg weight reduction and 30 mm lower frame height are by far not the only benefits that this suspension concept has to offer. By dispensing with the rear air spring bellows, it has been possible to locate the shock absorbers directly behind the axle, thus bringing significant advantages in terms of driving dynamics and roll behaviour. In addition, the advantageous positioning of the spring bellows allows significantly higher raised heights and prevents the axle from distorting and affecting the angle of the propshaft. The lower number of bellows also means that replacing the bellows is quicker, saving you money in the event of a repair.

Content chassis 03 — **4-bellows air suspension.** Vehicles with more than one driven axle are equipped with the reliable 4-bellows air suspension. Full air suspension is also available as an option for platform vehicles.

Two in one – for higher payloads.

On air-sprung rear axles, the stabiliser link performs two functions: axle location and stabilisation of roll tendency. And that's not all: the innovative stabiliser link replaces two control arms, two bearing brackets, two articulated rods and numerous fastening elements. This translates into optimum handling characteristics and weight savings of up to 90 kg on each air-sprung axle.

Car-like steering.

Effortless, precision steering.

Thanks to the direct steering system, an Actros with partial and full air suspension makes your job much easier. All two-axle and three-axle Actros vehicles are fitted as standard with the LS8 single-circuit hydraulic power steering, while all four-axle models feature a dual-circuit system. In both cases steering gear units with different ratios allow large steering angles to be achieved with minimal steering effort – for precision manoeuvring without the strain. Weight-reduced forged and cast parts ensure high steering system reliability.

In addition, the oil level in the steering gear and the hydraulic system are continually monitored by the Telligent® maintenance system – for enhanced safety. The Actros steering system is easy to operate with minimum effort and is noted for its excellent directional stability, precise response and optimum handling combined with a reliable and durable design, all of which make it an impressive performer. Once again, directional stability has been further improved in the Actros.

Brakes.

Exemplary. The Telligent® brake system.

The electronically controlled Telligent® brake system with ABS and ASR, which is standard on all Actros models, relays brake commands at practically the speed of light. And Brake Assist can tell from the speed with which you step on the brake pedal exactly how hard you wish to brake. Saving precious centimetres in the process.

More comfort, less cost.

Brake lining wear equalisation ensures that the brake pads wear evenly on each axle. Furthermore, the engine brake or retarder is involved in each and every braking process – with the exception of full braking. Advantage: the brake pads last even longer. The hill holder enhances comfort and convenience even more. It prevents the vehicle from rolling forwards or backwards, making moving off on hills child's play.

Active Brake Assist 2.

In critical situations, Active Brake Assist 2 can help to minimise the risk of an accident or mitigate its consequences. Because, unlike the previous Active Brake Assist, the system can also react to detected stationary obstacles such as the end of a queue of traffic. If the worst comes to the worst, the system can warn the driver in the form of visual and audible signals. If necessary, it can initiate partial braking, thereby making it possible for the driver to bring the vehicle to a standstill.

Content chassis 04 — Saving precious centimetres – the Telligent® brake system.

More payload.

Unladen weight savings of up to 110 kg – the super-wide tyres with aluminium rims.

First things first: the super-wide tyres with aluminium rims (without run-flat feature) are optionally available for the drive axle and enable unladen weight savings of up to 110 kg to be achieved, as they dispense with the need for two tyres and the spare wheel. The super-wide tyres also come with a tyre pressure monitoring system which enables the routine tyre pressure checks on the super-wide tyres to be carried out conveniently from the driver's seat.

If the tyre pressure is too low or there is a gradual loss of pressure, the driver is warned in several stages via the instrument cluster display, the last warning being a request, with warning buzzer and stop lamp, to stop the vehicle immediately. The super-wide tyres can, of course, be re-cut, balanced and fitted with snow chains.

Content chassis 08 — Unladen weight savings of up to 110 kg – the super-wide tyres with aluminium rims.

Telligent® level control.

Content chassis 05 — Standard for air suspension – Telligent® level control.

Standard for air suspension – Telligent® level control.

A remote control unit, which is linked to the cab by cable and on the Actros comes with an illuminated control panel, enables the frame of air-sprung vehicles to be raised and lowered quickly, thus saving time when changing semitrailers or demountable bodies and allowing the vehicle height to be adjusted for loading ramps. In addition, the air pressure in the bellows is adapted to the load, with the result that the frame height always remains the same.

Biodiesel.

Biodiesel: yes. Cold break times: no.

Our optionally available Biodiesel Package helps you to reduce your maintenance costs when using biodiesel. The package increases the engine replacement interval, depending on vehicle usage. And thanks to an additional tank, it is possible to use the vehicle's auxiliary heater with conventional diesel fuel or heating oil. This has no adverse effect on the service life of the auxiliary heater.

Content chassis 06 — Optionally available – the Biodiesel Package.

[1] In conjunction with a wheelbase of 3,900 mm.
[2] Standard on the 6x2 semitrailer tractors and 4x2 semitrailer tractors in conjunction with MegaSpace cab. Optional for 4x2 semitrailer tractors.

Further topics

Engines, transmissions, axles

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Actros

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Optimum ride comfort and driving safety combined.