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WARD PLANE STEPS UP TO NEW HEAVY-DUTY DRAWBAR FROM ANDOVER TRAILERS

Yorkshire-based road planing business, Ward Plane, has taken delivery of two new specialist drawbars from Andover Trailers, after years of impeccable performance from its first pair of Andover-builds which entered service more than a decade ago.

For the first time, Ward Plane has deviated from the tried and tested light-weight trailers it first specified in 2008, opting to take advantage of Andover’s bespoke design approach to develop a heavy-weight version, which offers greater versatility in the loads it can carry. This new trailer has entered the fleet alongside a new light-weight model, both built to order.

Mark Ward, Director at Ward Plane, explains: “From our first conversation with Andover 11 years ago it was clear they understood the specific requirements for the planers we transport, and the two trailers we received were obviously built to last.

“When it came to these new builds, we wanted to explore a more heavy-duty alternative for one of the units. The team at Andover were more than happy to work with us on the new design, and the result is a trailer that will have a huge impact on our operation – it’s this level of service that’s tough to match in the industry.”

The heavy-duty drawbar boasts a 6m deck with a 1.4m beavertail and has a payload capacity of 18 tonnes. The trailer includes a number of features designed to improve operational efficiency, without impeding performance. The front SAF axle has been fitted with hydraulic lifting capability, which helps to lower tyre wear when running empty or partially loaded, while the 1.2m full-width ramps have an expanded steel mesh covering to help reduce wind drag.

As part of the design, Andover also built in additional strength throughout the centre of the trailer for the specific point loads of Ward Plane’s three-wheeled machinery, allowing the company to carry various combinations of planers, paving machines and road rollers to sites nationwide.

“We have specified heavier trailers from competitor manufacturers in the past, but they simply weren’t up to the job and it wasn’t long before the cracks started to show – quite literally. With the ability to specify exactly what we needed, we’ve now got a trailer capable of handling anything we want it to, for years to come,” adds Ward.

Ward Plane’s new light-weight trailer is the same model as its previous two Andover-builds, one of which is still in operation in the company’s five-strong trailer fleet. Designed specifically for Wirtgen W100 and W120 planers, the ‘simple’ design features three fixed axles, a 5.5m deck and beavertail, with 1m alloy rear ramps. The lack of hydraulics in the design, combined with Andover’s light-weight steel construction techniques, produces a payload capacity of close to 20.5 tonnes.

Both new drawbars will operate from Ward Plane’s Keighley base and are expected to stay in the fleet for at least 10 years. They will be towed either by the company’s tipper or hook loader trucks, delivering road surfacing equipment to sites primarily in the north of England, but with the capacity to travel across the UK.

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For information on the heavy haulage and specialist transport solutions provided by Andover Trailers, contact Andover Trailers Ltd, Unit 75, Columbus Way, Walworth Business Park, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5NP. Tel:  01264 358 944 or e-mail: sales@andovertrailers.co.uk   Website: www.andovertrailers.co.uk

Note to editor:  For further press information please contact Gary Baker or James Keeler on 020 8647 4467.

SKELTON PLANT HIRE BOLSTERS FLEET WITH TWO BESPOKE-BUILT PLANT BODIES FROM ANDOVER TRAILERS

Kent-based Skelton Plant Hire has taken delivery of two new bespoke-built plant bodies from Andover Trailers, continuing a close working relationship between the two companies that began in 2004.

The new bodies, mounted to 32-tonne 8×2 rear-steer DAF CF rigids, were bought as like-for-like replacements for two of the company’s existing vehicles, which also had Andover bodies. However, strong business demand means all four have been kept in operation – and they will work alongside the company’s original Andover body, which is mounted to an 18-year-old 24-tonne 6×2 DAF.

Tim Skelton, Managing Director at Skelton Plant Hire, says: “We’ve stuck with Andover because the product is fantastic – it doesn’t break, it doesn’t bend, it just keeps going. Though we thought at one stage about replacing the older trucks, we’ve kept them on fleet as all three are still running fine. Indeed, the bodywork is in perfect working order, which considering the amount of work they do is mightily impressive!”

The new custom-built bodies feature Andover’s trademark low-profile deck, which sees the cross members transect the body runners, instead of simply sitting on top. This low height, combined with the trucks’ rear steer capability, makes it possible to access both tight country lanes and tricky urban sites that would otherwise prove difficult with a 32-tonner.

Also incorporated into the design is a double crank beavertail connected to a pair of 2.5m long hydraulic power toe ramps, alongside a 3.5-tonne hydraulic winch which aids loading and unloading. The eight pairs of lashing points on the deck offer maximum load security and flexibility, while Andover’s working at height system provides additional safety.

“In a typical day, one of our drivers could be loading or unloading plant 10 to 15 times, so speed and ease of operation are vitally important to make the process as efficient as possible. Andover’s bodies and ramps are loved by our drivers because they make that part of the job so quick and easy,” adds Skelton.

Skelton Plant Hire specified the bodywork with its own diesel tank for refuelling plant in situ – ranging from a small roller or telehandler, through to a 15-tonne excavator. The vehicles will predominantly be used to make deliveries throughout London and the south east, as well as handling selected work for established clients nationwide and in mainland Europe.

The new trucks will be on the road six days a week, clocking up between 125,000km and 150,000km a year. Skelton Plant Hire is looking to keep the vehicles in its fleet for at least 10 years, depending on future changes to legislation.

A family-run business, Skelton Plant Hire was founded in 1988 with a single rental machine. Since then its fleet has grown to more than 850 pieces of plant and equipment available from its two depots in Kent.

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For information on the heavy haulage and specialist transport solutions provided by Andover Trailers, contact Andover Trailers Ltd, Unit 75, Columbus Way, Walworth Business Park, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5NP. Tel:  01264 358 944 or e-mail: sales@andovertrailers.co.uk   Website: www.andovertrailers.co.uk

Note to editor:  For further press information please contact Gary Baker or James Keeler on 020 8647 4467.

BLACKMORES MACHINERY HAULAGE TURNS TO ANDOVER TRAILERS FOR HEAVY-DUTY FORKLIFT CARRIER

Somerset-based Blackmores Machinery Haulage has taken delivery of a new bespoke-built forklift trailer from Andover Trailers – its first from the Hampshire manufacturer.

The new 36-tonne tri-axle step frame curtainsider is a new addition to Blackmores Machinery Haulage’s fleet, with the company taking advantage of Andover Trailers’ custom approach to ensure it can accommodate its 16-tonne Versalift and 27-tonne Hoist heavy-duty forklifts.

Wayne Scott, Operations Manager at Blackmores Machinery Haulage, says: “We have to carry some pretty sizeable forklifts over long distances, and we knew a standard ‘off-the-shelf’ trailer wasn’t going to be suitable.

“The team at Andover were able to tailor the specification to suit our needs precisely. We’ve been thoroughly impressed with both their attention to detail and in the build quality of the trailer.”

Andover’s forklift trailers benefit from closely spaced crossmembers within the frame that provide the additional strength required for Blackmores’ specialist forklifts, while keeping the gross trailer weight as low as possible, for maximum payload capacity.

“The combination of Andover’s advanced design and the blend of steels they use make a real difference. We have a similar step frame in our fleet which doesn’t offer nearly the same strength, yet it weighs around two tonnes more!” Scott adds.

The new trailer includes a full width, full height, flip-toe knife-edged ramp, with reversing lamps, alarm and camera – alongside LED strobes and lights – to provide additional safety when in operation.

Other key design features include an all-steel hinged retractable TSE sliding roof, specifically chosen by Andover Trailers for its sheer strength and durability. It also incorporates swing-out rear pillars and sliding side pillars with two locking positions, allowing machines wider than the door frame to be loaded with ease.

The three SAF axles come with a 12-month warranty and include lifting capability at the rear. On the reinforced deck, Andover has added Expamet overlay to the beavertail for improved grip, while a six-tonne electric winch is mounted on the neck to aid loading and unloading. 30 lashing rings surround the edge of the lower deck and neck, with six extra lashing points added to the centre of the trailer, all ensuring every possible load combination can be accommodated securely.

Finished in the company’s striking red and with a fully liveried black curtain, the new trailer will be on the road up to seven days a week and in operation across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.

Blackmores Machinery Haulage was formed in 1992 and primarily moves industrial laundry equipment, CNC machine tools, injection moulding machines, woodworking equipment, and packaging machinery.

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For information on the heavy haulage and specialist transport solutions provided by Andover Trailers, contact Andover Trailers Ltd, Unit 75, Columbus Way, Walworth Business Park, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5NP. Tel: 01264 358 944 or e-mail: sales@andovertrailers.co.uk   Website: www.andovertrailers.co.uk

Note to editor: For further press information please contact Gary Baker or James Keeler on 020 8647 4467.

UNBEATABLE BUILD QUALITY SECURES NEW ANDOVER TRAILERS STEP FRAME FOR FAROL

Agricultural plant specialist Farol has taken delivery of a new Andover Trailers tri-axle step frame, a decision made on the back of years of impressive performance from two Andover-built plant bodies and a drawbar trailer.

The new bespoke-built step frame replaces an aging competitor trailer and has been designed to meet Farol’s exact specification, with a payload capacity of 38-tonnes allowing the transport of a wide range of agricultural machinery across the UK and occasionally Europe.

Will Bogie, Transport Manager at Farol, says: “We’ve always been impressed by the performance of both Andover plant bodies and the drawbar they supplied, so it made sense to turn to them for this new trailer. Their products are certainly built to last and, importantly, our drivers love operating them – which is really important to us as a business.”

Specified with 17.5-inch wheels on BPW axles, with rear-steer and rear-lifting axle capability, the new trailer also features a remote-controlled electric winch rated to six tonnes and includes Andover’s heavy-duty hydraulic knife-edge flip toe ramps, to ease loading and unloading procedures.

The new trailer also boasts multiple safety features, including strobes, additional safety lights and an abundance of LED lighting to aid operation at night, as well as the provision of sockets for a full working at height system.

In addition, Farol has included four slide-out wide load markers, side extensions and six additional 16-tonne screw-in lashing points, which adds to the versatility of the trailer and caters for a wide range of loads.

On the road up to six days a week, the new trailer is expected to clock up 60,000 miles a year as it operates between Farol’s six UK depots.

The company’s existing Andover plant body and drawbar combination is soon to be joined by a second with a similar specification, again replacing a competitor body and trailer.

The new build will feature a crane and Andover’s versatile hydraulic ramp design which allows the plant body to be through-loaded via the trailer without having to uncouple the two – an ingenious feature that helps to dramatically reduce loading and unloading times.

Established as a family business in 1976 and still family-owned today, Farol now operates across the agricultural, ground care and garden sectors and is an official dealer for John Deere.

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For information on the heavy haulage and specialist transport solutions provided by Andover Trailers, contact Andover Trailers Ltd, Unit 75, Columbus Way, Walworth Business Park, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5NP. Tel: 01264 358 944 or e-mail: sales@andovertrailers.co.uk   Website: www.andovertrailers.co.uk

Note to editor: For further press information please contact Gary Baker or James Keeler on 020 8647 4467.

TODDS HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE STEPS UP A WEIGHT WITH NEW HEAVY DUTY ANDOVER TRAILERS STEP FRAME

Andover Trailers has delivered the latest in a long line of heavy duty step frame trailers to longstanding customer, Todds Highway Maintenance. The new four-axle, 73-tonne trailer will transport road planers to sites across the north of England.

Todds Highway Maintenance specified its first Andover trailer in 2007 and has taken delivery of three subsequent tri-axle and four-axle variants. The latest Andover build joins two others operating in an eight-strong trailer fleet, with the new step frame replacing a smaller 67-tonne variant that has been with the company for more than a decade.

Graeme Todd, Director at Todds Highway Maintenance, says: “We keep coming back to Andover because they’re a British company which builds fantastic quality trailers. They worked with us from the outset to understand what we required as a business, and that’s exactly what they deliver, time and time again – we don’t consider anyone else.”

On the road six days a week, the new step frame has been constructed with a durable, four-member design, featuring slide-out side extensions to ensure ultimate load stability. The 1m wide power toe ramps, with sliding width adjustment and knife edge toes, help with the loading and unloading of the company’s 40-tonne road planers.

To ensure the trailer is up to the task, the heavy-duty design also includes hydraulic steady legs at the rear, with steel underplating on the outer bays of the main deck, the beavertail and ramps, as well as six D-ring and eight screw-in lashing points to guarantee load security. The BPW axles – fitted with robust 265/70 R 19.5 tyres – feature rear-steer capability that can be operated either from the tractor unit or on the trailer itself.

“As soon as we get our hands on a new build from Andover we know we can put it to work straight away, without any worries at all, and for as long as we need. We needed a new trailer capable of carrying heavier loads, so replacing our 12-year-old Andover made sense. That said, you can be sure it will go on to work elsewhere for many years to come!” Todd adds.

Starting as a small family business in 1996, Todds Highway Maintenance has grown to become one of the largest road planning contractors in the UK, operating 22 trucks and eight trailers across the north of England. The company also specialises in all aspects of road and footway maintenance, calling on a host of ancillary equipment, including road sweepers, asphalt rollers, pavers and skid-steers.

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For information on the heavy haulage and specialist transport solutions provided by Andover Trailers, contact Andover Trailers Ltd, Unit 75, Columbus Way, Walworth Business Park, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5NP. Tel: 01264 358 944 or e-mail: sales@andovertrailers.co.uk Website: www.andovertrailers.co.uk

Note to editor: For further press information please contact Gary Baker or James Keeler on 020 8647 4467.

HARLEX HAULAGE SERVICES TAKES DELIVERY OF FIRST NEW-BUILD PLANT BODY FROM ANDOVER TRAILERS

Kent-based Harlex Haulage Services has taken delivery of a new plant body from Andover Trailers – the first time the company has opted for a new-build from the Hampshire manufacturer.

After previously owning three second hand plant bodies from Andover Trailers, which each served the company well, Harlex decided to opt for a brand-new truck to replace its current Andover build.

Richard Gagg, Director at Harlex Haulage Services, explains: “We bought our first second hand Andover plant body back in 2003 and have owned two more since – we’ve never been disappointed, and their strength and durability has kept us coming back.

“When we decided the time was right to invest in a new truck, there was never any question that we’d be specifying Andover to build the body. We hope to see it stay in the fleet for a good six to seven years.”

The plant body, mounted to a new 32-tonne Volvo FM460 8×2 rear-steer rigid chassis, features a host of bespoke elements, including Andover’s pioneering fold forward ramps, which help to streamline the vehicle and deliver impressive fuel savings.

The build also features an electric Superwinch EN rated to 6 tonnes line pull, removable working at height barriers that can be easily stowed away when not in use – a requirement on many of the sites Harlex visits – and a durbar plate at the rear of the deck to protect from any potential damage from dipper arms.

“In our industry it’s essential you spec a vehicle which is tough enough to do the job you require time and time again, without reliability issues, and that is definitely what you get from an Andover,” concludes Gagg.

Because Andover Trailers plant bodies are specifically designed, and precision engineered to each individual truck chassis, every build is capable of matching even the most intensive operational schedule. Harlex Haulage will put its plant body to work five days per week, clocking up close to 90,000 km a year delivering plant and construction machinery across London and the south-east.

The new truck is Harlex Haulage’s sole plant body and joins a 24-strong commercial vehicle fleet comprised of two sweepers and 21 tippers.

Harlex Haulage Services was founded in 2001 to provide haulage and plant hire services to the construction industry. Its core business lies in the removal, transfer and disposal of construction waste, alongside the supply of primary and recycled aggregate.

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For information on the heavy haulage and specialist transport solutions provided by Andover Trailers, contact Andover Trailers Ltd, Unit 75, Columbus Way, Walworth Business Park, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5NP. Tel: 01264 358 944 or e-mail: sales@andovertrailers.co.uk   Website: www.andovertrailers.co.uk

Note to editor: For further press information please contact Gary Baker or James Keeler on 020 8647 4467.

NEW FIVE-AXLE EXTENDING STEP FRAME ANOTHER HEAVY-DUTY ADDITION FOR MAR-TRAIN FROM ANDOVER TRAILERS

Abnormal load specialist, Mar-Train, has taken delivery of its third five-axle extending step frame trailer from Andover Trailers – a continuation of a working relationship that dates back close to 30 years.

The latest addition to Mar-Train’s trailer fleet is the 15th trailer the company has specified from Andover Trailers, which also includes tri-axle and four-axle variants. Andover’s ability to custom-build trailers to meet any design specification has kept Mar-Train returning time and time again.

Tim Martin, Managing Director at Mar-Train, says: “With other manufacturers you often just pick your trailer off the shelf, but Andover will build the trailer exactly the way you want it to be built. We believe they’re the best in the business when it comes to making trailers for the specific types of loads we carry.”

Though similar to the previous five-axle variants supplied by Andover – which are still both in operation – the latest addition to the fleet includes a number of new design features, notably the improved 10-tonne lashing points which have been engineered to sit within the frame itself when not being used, lowering the chance of accidental damage.

When in use, they provide a direct line between the lashing ring and the securing point on the load. The centre of the trailer’s frame also includes further securing positions that allow 14-tonne lashing points to be individually placed to suit different load requirements.

The 14.95m trailer can extend by a further 2.5m, providing additional flexibility when required. The trailer extends via two outer box beams, which have been uprated for shorter, more concentrated loads, to ensure that heavy machinery gets support where it’s needed most.

“The trailer is designed to carry its payload on a very short track length, which means a lot of weight – and incredible force – is placed on a very small area,” continues Martin. “Happily, we know that Andover has both the design and manufacturing skills to build something that’s more than up to the task.”

Of the five BPW axles, three are fixed, with the remaining two featuring self-tracking steering and rated to 12 tonnes. BPW air suspension with raise and lower control is also fitted, which allows the trailer to be lowered to aid loading and unloading.

Additional features include Andover Trailers’ heavy-duty hydraulic power toe ramps which provide a low loading angle and two heavy-duty hydraulic steady legs to guarantee a stable loading platform. The trailer also benefits from galvanised side extensions, now designed as a universal component across all similar Andover builds to make them easier to replace quickly if required.

The trailer will transport Terex crushers and screeners across the UK and Ireland, and Mar-Train hopes to keep it in operation for more than 20 years – a precedent already set by other Andover builds in the fleet that date back to the late 1990s.

A family-run business, Mar-Train Heavy Haulage was originally established in County Down, Northern Ireland, as a local plant haulage company in 1978. Since then, it has become a specialist in transporting abnormal and awkward loads across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.

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For information on the heavy haulage and specialist transport solutions provided by Andover Trailers, contact Andover Trailers Ltd, Unit 75, Columbus Way, Walworth Business Park, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5NP. Tel: 01264 358 944 or e-mail: sales@andovertrailers.co.uk   Website: www.andovertrailers.co.uk

Note to editor: For further press information please contact Gary Baker or James Keeler on 020 8647 4467.

ANDOVER TRAILERS DELIVERS LATEST IN A LONG LINE OF PLANT BODIES FOR BULLIMORES

Bullimores, the Lincolnshire-based plant hire and aggregates firm, has taken delivery of a new 32-tonne Scania P360 mounted with an Andover Trailers plant body – extending a working relationship between the two companies dating back more than 15 years.

The new 8×2 Scania joins a large commercial vehicle fleet that includes eight plant bodies which are used as part of the company’s self-drive plant rental business.

Chris Bullimore, Managing Director at Bullimores, says: “Andover’s build quality is the primary reason we keep coming back. These vehicles are vital for the plant rental side to our business and we need to be confident that they won’t let us down – happily, the Andover bodywork never does.”

The new bespoke-built body features a double crank beavertail connected to a pair of 2.5m long hydraulic power toe ramps, plus an electric winch mounted to the headboard which aids with loading and unloading. The build includes six pairs of lashing points along the deck for maximum load security and flexibility, as well as steady legs and working lights for optimum safety.

The vehicle will operate from Bullimores’ plant rental depots based in Bourne, St. Neots and Northampton and will service customers in central and southern England. On the road five days a week, the truck is expected to clock up approximately 52,000 kilometres a year and will remain in service for around six years.

In addition to plant rental, Bullimores supplies aggregate to the building and construction industry, as well as operating a skip hire business from its Bourne facility.

“The nature of our business means we need a variety of heavy-duty vehicles to ensure we offer our customers the best possible service; Andover’s plant bodies play an integral role in this. We’ve got a great relationship with the team and they will remain one of our trusted suppliers as we grow and update our fleet in the future,” adds Bullimore.

Bullimores is a family-run operation that has been continuously trading since 1907. Originally a haulier and coal merchant, it went on to work in the quarry industry but now focuses on aggregates, plant and skip hire.

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For information on the heavy haulage and specialist transport solutions provided by Andover Trailers, contact Andover Trailers Ltd, Unit 75, Columbus Way, Walworth Business Park, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5NP. Tel: 01264 358 944 or e-mail: sales@andovertrailers.co.uk   Website: www.andovertrailers.co.uk

Note to editor: For further press information please contact Gary Baker or James Keeler on 020 8647 4467.

ROBERT FROUD REFRESHES FLEET WITH NEW ANDOVER TRAILERS PLANT BODY AND STEP FRAME TRAILER

Robert Froud Bulk Haulage has returned to Andover Trailers for a fifth tri-axle step frame and also specified a new plant body for its 2008-plate 26-tonne rigid – replacing competitor bodywork which had become too unreliable for its Scania workhorse.

The Dorset-based haulier selected Andover for the sheer strength of its products, coupled with a proven reputation for building some of the most reliable bodies and trailers on the market.

Robert Froud, Managing Director, says: “We wanted to fit the Scania with an Andover plant body when we bought the truck, but the dealer persuaded us that the competitor product would be just as good.

“Initially it was up to the job, but over time it became impractically expensive to maintain. The truck itself is still in great shape, so we handed it over to Andover Trailers and now we’ve got a body that we know will go the distance.”

Andover Trailers built the plant body to match Robert Froud’s precise requirements for moving small plant and tarmacking equipment. To accommodate flexible loads Andover’s engineers incorporated seven pairs of lashing points, while the company’s 3.7m hydraulic ramps with knife-edged toes create the necessary shallow entry angle for safe and efficient loading and unloading.

“Andover’s build quality is fantastic,” continues Froud. “They’ve given us precisely what we need, while making the ramps shorter than before. This has reduced weight and drag, whilst the build quality gives us every confidence that we could pretty much drive a tank up onto the body and the ramps would be fine. The quality of the bodywork is on a different level.”

The plant body joins Robert Froud’s new tri-axle step frame, which is primarily used to move forestry equipment and excavators. Andover’s design team has built the new trailer with 3.3m flip toe ramps, SAF axles with rear-lift capability, 19.5-inch wheels with disc brakes – a specific request from Robert Froud to provide more consistent braking performance – and extra LED reversing lights for improved safety.

“We’ve been ordering similar spec trailers from Andover for years, they never go wrong, they’re built to last and they do exactly what we need them to do. On top of the build quality they also retain their value like few other brands. We wouldn’t look to anyone else for our step frames,” he concludes.

The plant body and trailer are both on the road five days a week, clocking up around 50,000km per year. Robert Froud has been providing bulk haulage solutions across the south west from its Wimborne base since 1986.

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For information on the heavy haulage and specialist transport solutions provided by Andover Trailers, contact Andover Trailers Ltd, Unit 75, Columbus Way, Walworth Business Park, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5NP. Tel:  01264 358 944 or e-mail: sales@andovertrailers.co.uk   Website: www.andovertrailers.co.uk

Note to editor:  For further press information please contact Gary Baker or James Keeler on 020 8647 4467.

NEW STEP FRAME DELIVERED TO AJ BRUNT LTD CONTINUES LONGSTANDING RELATIONSHIP WITH ANDOVER TRAILERS

Somerset-based haulage contractor, AJ Brunt Ltd, has taken delivery of a new tri-axle step frame trailer from Andover Trailers – the most recent addition in a relationship that dates back more than two decades.

The high-specification, bespoke-built step frame has a payload capacity of 38 tonnes, making it perfectly suited for carrying the wide range of heavy construction plant AJ Brunt Ltd transports across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.

Martyn Brunt, Transport Manager at AJ Brunt Ltd, says: “We need trailers that have the ability to handle all shapes and sizes of plant, something Andover’s builds always manage with ease. They listen to our needs, offer solutions to our problems and build a trailer that does exactly what we need it to do – that’s why we’ve been going back to them for more than 20 years.”

The step frame is a new addition to AJ Brunt Ltd’s trailer fleet and joins five other Andover models in service – a mixture of step frames and semi-sloping trailers. In a first for the company, AJ Brunt Ltd requested the addition of a full-width power-lifting neck ramp to make the loading and unloading process safer and more efficient.

The trailer has been specified with 17.5-inch wheels on BPW axles, with rear-lifting axle capability, and includes multiple safety features, including a working at height system, strobes, safety lights, extra reversing lights and a reverse alarm, as well as LED lighting for safer operation at night.

“That’s the great thing about Andover’s trailers – ask and you shall receive. The bespoke nature of the builds means we can pick and choose the add-ons that work for us,” continues Brunt. “But what really counts is that it’s just honest nuts and bolts engineering that’s built to last – we recently discovered that one of our old Andovers is now in Dominica, while the first one we bought back in 1995 was only sold a couple of years ago, and it’s still working hard in the Isle of Wight.”

AJ Brunt Ltd operates eight tractor units, including Volvos, Renaults and MANs, each liveried in the company’s recognisable blue, with striking individual custom paint jobs. The new trailer is expected to stay in the fleet for a minimum of 15 years and will be on the road six days a week, 52 weeks of the year.

A family-run business, AJ Brunt Ltd has been providing haulage and storage from its Frome headquarters since 1983, offering end-to-end logistics contracts to its large and varied customer base.

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For information on the heavy haulage and specialist transport solutions provided by Andover Trailers, contact Andover Trailers Ltd, Unit 75, Columbus Way, Walworth Business Park, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5NP. Tel:  01264 358 944 or e-mail: sales@andovertrailers.co.uk   Website: www.andovertrailers.co.uk

Note to editor:  For further press information please contact Gary Baker or James Keeler on 020 8647 4467.