Devon-based building contractor MT Mills has invested in a trio of 3.5-tonne Fuso Canters.

The 'rugged build quality' and 'muscular towing capability' persuaded proprietor Mark Mills to purchase the vehicles.

The trucks are all Canter 3C13 models with Comfort day cabs. Their 130bhp 3.0-litre engines deliver 300nm of torque at low revs and feature the idle stop-start function and an engine brake as standard.

Exeter Coachworks fitted tipping dropside bodies to the chassis, as well as large toolboxes which are mounted immediately behind the cabs and have lockable roller shutter doors.

Mills said: “The Canter is a highly versatile vehicle and I’ve every confidence that our new trucks will prove to be reliable, durable workhorses which are far better-suited to our type of work than van-based vehicles."

MT Mills undertakes a wide range of building, groundworks, highways and utilities project for customers throughout the South and South-West including Devon and Cornwall County Council, and Exeter and Plymouth City Councils.

“The Canter also offers around 300kg more payload potential than the five other, similarly-sized tippers that we also run. What’s more, its exceptionally high, 3.5-tonne towing capacity is proving very useful when we need to move mini-diggers and other plant between sites,” said Mills.

The new vehicles were supplied by the Exeter branch of Mercedes-Benz Dealer City West Commercials – the German manufacturer’s franchised network also sells and supports the popular Japanese light truck range.

Mills added: “These are still early days in our relationship but City Commercials seem to be very efficient and professional, while the Mercedes-Benz Financial Services deal was competitively priced.”