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.

West Sussex-based forklift supplier, Mexmast, has taken delivery of a new Andover Trailers tri-axle step frame forklift trailer, replacing the company’s existing Andover build after 12 years in service and 750,000km.

As it had performed impeccably for more than a decade, the new trailer has been built to almost the same bespoke specifications as the one it replaces, featuring curtainside bodywork and a retractable roof.

Mark Sibun, Service Director at Mexmast, says: “We took delivery of our first Andover forklift trailer in 2004 and it’s performed well in service from day one. We saw no reason to look anywhere else when it came to modernising the trailer, and the specification of the new build is once again completely bespoke to our business.”

Mexmast transports a variety of forklifts around south-east England for sale, contract hire and rental. To accommodate such a variety of loads, the trailer features a full width, full height flip-toe ramp with a shallow loading angle; a powered lifting neck ramp that facilitates loading on the neck; a reinforced steel centre channel to support three-wheeled forklifts; and 30 lashing points to provide a versatile load securing system.

The combination of a low trailer height and sliding roof allows forklifts with a mast height of up to four metres to be loaded. The TSE sliding roof system, which features four locking positions, was chosen by Andover for its strength and durability. The trailer design also incorporates swing-out rear pillars and sliding side pillars with two locking positions, meaning machines wider than the door frame can be loaded with ease.

Though Mexmast chose not to deviate far from its previous Andover build, some new features were incorporated, including brighter and more durable LED lighting and the capability to lift the rear SAF axle from the cab, with Andover assisting with the installation of the system into Mexmast’s new 4×2 Volvo FM tractor unit.

The trailer will be on the road five days a week, is expected to be in operation for a minimum of 10 years, and will average approximately 60,000km a year.

“Andover genuinely understands our business and the team were able to offer some new additions to the trailer that make daily operation easier. It’s great to work with a company that has that outlook, and can also deliver a quality finished product to match,” Sibun adds.

A family-owned business based in Burgess Hill, Mexmast has been supplying Doosan forklifts and providing forklift maintenance to firms across the south east for more than 30 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 Gary Baker or James Keeler on 020 8647 4467.

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.