Buckinghamshire-based materials handling company Beds & Bucks Forktrucks has taken delivery of its first ever bespoke-built forklift trailer from Andover Trailers – replacing a converted step frame previously supplied by a competitor.

A specialist in the rental, sale and servicing of materials handling equipment, Beds & Bucks Forktrucks have specified the new trailer with curtainside bodywork and a retractable sliding roof, enabling it to accommodate everything from warehouse equipment to high-mast machines.

Owen Kinns, Director at Beds & Bucks Forktrucks, says: “When it came to replacing our existing trailer the ability to customise the build was extremely important – hence we opted to go with Andover Trailers. It was obvious from the outset that their design team understood exactly what was required and they built a trailer to match our needs perfectly.”

To facilitate the company’s particular requirements the new trailer includes a full width, full height flip-toe ramp with a shallow loading angle for low ground clearance equipment. The TSE sliding roof is an all-steel system which was specifically chosen by Andover Trailers for its sheer strength and durability, which allows it to withstand buffeting when travelling with the roof open. The trailer 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.

Andover’s design team specified the trailer with BPW axles, including a steering and lifting capability on the rear axle – and all covered by a comprehensive three year BPW warranty. On the reinforced deck, Andover has added a full Expamet overlay for improved grip, as well as a full-width powered lifting ramp to simplify loading machinery onto the neck. A 6-tonne electric winch is also mounted on the bulkhead to aid the loading and unloading process. Closed steel crossmembers in the frame help to provide additional strength needed for the high point loads that forklift trucks impose, while 24 lashing rings on the lower deck and six on the neck are available to secure all possible load combinations. In addition, the headboard features a combined custom-built toolbox, spare wheel and gas bottle storage compartment – ideal when delivering fleets of gas-powered forklifts.

“The inclusion of things like the toolbox and lifting ramp have been a revelation, dramatically improving the usability of the trailer for our drivers,” adds Kinns.

“Our previous trailer was a converted step frame and wasn’t built for purpose, so it only lasted eight years. We’re confident this new trailer will last a lot longer,” he concludes.

Family-run Beds & Bucks Forktrucks has been serving the Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire area for more than 30 years. Though the new trailer will make the occasional delivery further afield, it will primarily operate across a 50 mile radius from its headquarters in Newport Pagnell, clocking up around 40,000 miles a year.

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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.

CRH Plant has added two new Andover Trailers plant bodies to its commercial vehicle fleet, continuing a long-standing relationship between the two companies that has included more than 25 bespoke builds.

CRH has been supplying specialist plant equipment to the construction and civil engineering sectors for more than 50 years. The new plant bodies, both mounted on 32-tonne Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3240L 8×2 rear-steer rigid chassis, will operate out of CRH’s busy Plymouth and Sheffield depots, delivering a wide range of heavy plant and specialist equipment across the South West and North East of the country.

Neville Thomas, CRH Plant’s Managing Director, explains why the company keeps returning to Andover: “The team are always extremely accommodating – we tell them what we need, they tell us how it can be done. In all the years we have been working together they have never let us down; this is what our relationship is built on, so why would we go to anyone else?”

As with each of CRH’s previous Andover Trailers builds, the new plant bodies are bespoke designs, made to incorporate the company’s exacting specifications, particularly on safety – both feature Andover’s removable working at height barriers, which have become a requirement on many of the sites CRH visits. When not in use, the system can be easily stowed away.

The plant bodies also feature Andover’s pioneering fold forward ramps – which Thomas insists are fitted to all CRH trailers and rigid trucks due to the impressive fuel savings they provide. The ramps have also been designed with a shallow loading angle to accommodate the 13-tonne self-propelled rollers that form the core of CRH’s business.

In addition, each build features a drawbar coupling, six pairs of lashing points, and a remote-controlled Ramsey H800 hydraulic winch. The winch forms part of an interesting element of the design that Andover developed in order to accommodate the Euro VI truck’s exhaust, which runs above the chassis over the second axle. Andover added a raised section accessible via a small slope behind the headboard, this in turn allowed the winch to be placed much lower to the floor as well as providing a location for recessed chain trays.

The two 32-tonne rigid trucks mark a step up in size for CRH, having previously operated 26-tonne rigids from a range of chassis manufacturers. “We opted for 32-tonne plant bodies out of necessity, mainly due to the fact that new emission regulations mean the self-propelled rollers we supply are getting heavier. Though we are phasing out some of our older trucks, the Andover bodies are holding up so well most are still part of the fleet,” says Thomas.

All Andover Trailers plant bodies are precision built to suit each individual truck chassis. The company’s reputation for sturdiness ensures that CRH Plant’s two new deliveries will be up to the task of their expected five days per week workload over the next 10 years, clocking up in the region of 700,000km in that time.

CRH Plant has also placed an order for a pair of the latest generation of tri-axle semi-sloping step frame trailers, which are ideal for moving road surfacing equipment, especially rollers. They will be built to a similar specification to the plant bodies, featuring fold-forward ramps, Andover’s working at height system and chapter eight marking on the rear. Delivery is expected early 2017.

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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.

H.E. SERVICES, one of the UK’s largest specialist plant hire companies, has taken delivery of 12 new Andover Trailers step frames and five DAF CF 8×2 rear steer plant bodies as part of its commitment to provide the highest quality service to customers.

The company, which boasts a fleet of more than 3,500 items of plant for hire, has very specific requirements when it comes to moving the machinery around and requires robust, bespoke designed and purpose-built trailers.

H.E. SERVICES Director Pam Durey says: “We have a very good, long term relationship with Andover Trailers and when some of our current assets came up for replacement, Andover Trailers was our number one choice. Our decision was based on the fact that Andover continues to offer exactly what we need for our specialist operation with no compromises. The team also consistently delivers a high strength, low weight product which allows for maximum ease of use.”

The 12 trailers, which were manufactured at Andover’s Hampshire facility, include a mix of 48 tonne and 56 tonne 3-axle, and 67 tonne 4-axle step frame trailers. All the trailers are equipped with a low profile neck, SAF axles with disc brakes, a steel channel in the centre of the frame over the bogie to accommodate excavators’ dipper arms, steel underlay to the hardwood floor and a chain tray in the main bed.

Featuring Andover Trailers’ innovative fold forward radio controlled ramps, the trailers are streamlined for optimal fuel efficiency, whilst hydraulic steady legs provide a stable platform for loading and unloading on site.

Both the larger 56 tonne and 67 tonne trailers have slide-out side extensions for the transportation of larger machinery and run on uprated 265/70 R 19.5 tyres, with the 56 tonne model having a rear steering axle which automatically locks when reversing. Purpose-built to transport H.E. SERVICES’ 22m long reach excavators – the 67-tonne trailers ride on four axles of which the rear two are steering, plus the front axle has lifting capability.

Safety is a major focus for both H.E. SERVICES and Andover Trailers and all the trailers are built to meet Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) standards. This sees them provisioned with multiple lashing points, reverse beepers and cameras, plus strobes both on and between the ramps to ensure the units are highly visible in all light levels.

The five plant bodies (LPPB32) have been added to the fleet to assist H.E. SERVICES in delivering machines to even the most inaccessible sites. Each DAF rigid has been specified with an Andover Trailers plant body with single crank beavertail and fold forward power toe ramps. Combining the low profile of the Andover body with low profile tyres and the extra length of the power toe ramps gives the best possible loading angle to suit a wide range of machinery. Operator safety is even further enhanced when loading by the removable working at height barriers fitted as part of the extensive specification.

H.E. SERVICES has more than 40 years’ experience within the plant hire sector and operates a nationwide service from 12 depots strategically placed around the country. Its extensive fleet includes diggers, excavators, dumpers, telehandlers, twin drum rollers and a range of attachments. The H.E. SERVICES Group also owns four Diggerland sites in the UK, as well as EVision Supercars, which rent out the Tesla electric supercars.

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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

For further information on H.E. SERVICES please contact Pam Durey 020 8804 2000 or email nhc@heservices.co.uk Website www.heservices.co.uk

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

Somerset-based construction equipment specialist Shaun Burton Transport has taken delivery of its fourth tri-axle semi-sloping step frame from Andover Trailers, for transporting rollers, pavers and other items of heavy plant.

Shaun Burton Transport, which maintains a fleet of 12 trucks and six heavy plant trailers, has been purchasing bespoke-built trailers from Andover since 2012. The firm has a further two trailers on order to join the fleet for delivery in 2015.

The new SFSL 40 trailer is equipped with a low profile neck and a semi-sloping frame which allows Shaun Burton Transport to make full use of the trailer’s length, with the ability to load plant safely and easily onto the upper deck.

SAF air suspension, with a Wabco raise/lower valve, has been included to ensure the drivers can raise the running height when making deliveries off-road, or lower the suspension to ensure the most gradual loading angles.

Shaun Burton, Managing Director at Shaun Burton Transport, says: “The sheer demands of operating in the construction environment means that we put build quality at the top of our shopping list when specifying new trailers. The step frames we’ve purchased from Andover have given excellent performance since the first one was delivered three years ago.

“With this latest delivery Andover has provided us with a trailer which can not only be depended on, but is also lighter than competitor models. This allows us to move more equipment with every trip, making our fleet more productive.”

The trailer will be used to deliver equipment to sites across the UK.

The specification includes a full LED lighting system and silver conspicuity markings down both sides, for maximum visibility. It also features SAF drum brake axles, with a lifting rear and auto-lowering facility, plus 1m wide power toe ramps with access toes.

The trailer will operate with a striking Scania R620 tractor unit which features a prominent custom-painted livery; it is expected to remain in service for at least eight years.

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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 James Keeler on 020 8647 4467.

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A Falkirk-based plant hire specialist has seen its fuel costs significantly reduce after specifying a new tri-axle step frame from Andover Trailers, fitted with the company’s innovative fold forward ramps – proven to improve fuel efficiency by approximately 1mpg.

The order marks the first Andover-built trailer to enter the fleet, with the Lomond Plant Group already placing an order for another trailer to be delivered during early summer, based on the success of this initial step frame. They are being used to support the family-run business’ expansion into the North West of England.

Ross Easton, Joint Managing Director at Lomond Plant Group, explains: “We recently opened a new depot in Merseyside and the new trailer has been pivotal to the success of this operation from the start.

“We are currently running 50 excavators in the North West, so we need a trailer we can rely on to have our plant in the right place at the right time. Trailer utilisation has been high since day one, and the Andover step frame has performed brilliantly.

“The icing on the cake has been the fuel saving we’ve noticed over our existing trailers. We’re confident the ramp design is saving us in the region of 1mpg every day. Over the course of a year that’s a significant advantage.”

In addition to its 1m wide and 2.5m long hydraulic fold-forward ramps – a design pioneered by Andover Trailers – the bespoke-built SFCL 56 features a low profile neck, plus side extensions to the deck, bridge and beavertail. It has been finished in striking black paintwork, with silver conspicuity stripes.

The customer specified SAF axles and air-suspension, with the rear axle able to be lifted when running light, or to reduce tyre scrub during tight manoeuvring. The air-suspension can also be raised and lowered by the driver, to ensure optimum approach angles when loading plant, plus maximum ground clearance for uneven terrain.

Other features include robust hardwood flooring, toolboxes with lids for storing accessories, a chain tray in the bed of the trailer, and heavy-duty hydraulic steady legs – which guarantee a safe and stable platform when parked on uneven ground.

The trailer will be on the road up to six days a week and will operate with a high-spec Scania R580 Topline tractor unit.

Lomond Plant Hire benefits from more than 30 years industry experience. In addition to its new depot in St Helen’s, Merseyside, the company also runs depots in Falkirk, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

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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 James Keeler on 020 8647 4467.

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