KILMARNOCK-based Blackwood Plant Hire has purchased the firm’s first bespoke plant bodies from Andover Trailers.
Mounted to two 32-tonne 8×2 Scania G450 chassis, the deal continues a relationship between the companies that began with the delivery of a tri-axle step frame trailer back in 2008.
The new rigids will deliver a range of plant, including excavators weighing up to 14-tonnes, to customers across the UK. The vehicles are expected to clock up around 150,000 kilometres per year.
Paul McCormack, MD at Blackwood Plant Hire, explained, “Over the years we’ve had five new step frames and a second-hand Andover plant body in our fleet – all of which have consistently performed superbly. So, when it came to specifying these new trucks the decision was simple.
“Andover builds to our exact spec, delivering products that are ultra-strong and extremely lightweight – a perfect combination. No matter what is asked of these new rigids, we know they’ll be up to the task. Then when we eventually come to sell them on, Andover’s reputation means that they command strong residual values.”
Andover said each plant body has been precision engineered to the individual Scania chassis. The rigids include a double crank beavertail that is connected to a pair of 2.8m long hydraulic power toe ramps. The ramps feature Andover’s fold-forward design, said to help reduce drag and deliver fuel savings, and are fitted with hydraulic sideways movement, which allows them to be brought together to assist with loading narrow machines.
Each new truck features full air suspension, with rear lift and steer axles, alongside a full working at height system and additional LED lighting. The decks include four pairs of lashing points as standard, with the company opting for an additional four pairs of five-tonne D-rings to increase load flexibility and security.
