McNeilus Companies Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, has sold 40 McNeilus Bridgemaster ready-mix trucks to Argos USA based in Houston, TX.
The vehicles feature McNeilus’ industry-leading next generation (NGEN) compressed natural gas (CNG) configuration that is engineered and fully tested at the McNeilus campus. The vehicles will be delivered beginning this spring.
“These 40 McNeilus Bridgemaster trucks are the first-ever CNG trucks purchased by Argos worldwide, and the purchase reflects our management team’s commitment to go green,” says Daryl Mizell, Argos USA Sourcing Manager. “We challenged several manufacturers to present a well-configured CNG ready-mix vehicle to us. After careful deliberation, we determined that the McNeilus CNG package is the best one available at this time.”
Twenty of the vehicles are bound for Argos operations in Houston, and the remaining 20 will be delivered to facilities just outside of Dallas. Argos is constructing dedicated fueling stations – each with 25 fill posts – at both locations. The trucks will plug in at the end of each shift and time-fill overnight.
“Argos USA carries an excellent reputation for high-quality cement and concrete products and services, and we’re thrilled to be chosen to engineer and build their first-ever CNG mixer trucks,” says Brad Nelson, Oshkosh Corporation Senior Vice President and President of the Commercial Business Segment. “We’ve engineered and installed CNG power on more than 8,000 trucks in the field, and that experience translates to alternative-fuel systems that work hard for our customers.”
The identical mixer vehicles are a five-axle configuration, outfitted with an 11-cubic yard McNeilus drum and Bridgemaster tag axle. Each of the trucks features a 60 Diesel Gallon Equivalent (DGE) fuel tank, an automatic transmission, an anti-roll stability system, and wireless mixer controls.
Engineered with both the operator and the service team in mind, the McNeilus NGEN CNG system is designed for the rugged ready-mix concrete environment. The plumbing system is built with CNC-formed high-pressure lines, compression fittings, and fewer connection points to deliver more consistent and reliable fuel flow.
The lightweight, natural gas vehicle (NGV) Type 4 tanks and long-lasting fuel storage pods feature all-aluminum tank covers. The fuel control module is designed for either fast-filling or time-filling to fit customer preferences.
Argos USA employs over 2,300 people at its offices and 238 concrete plant locations, three cement plants and grinding stations, and 10 cement terminals. These facilities are located in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.