GEORGE Leslie’s accidental discovery of a Swedish military vehicle has been tipped to significantly boost the firm’s work in remote locations.
Plant manager Graham Barclay told Project Plant how the organisation had been on the lookout for a tracked welfare unit when the company came across the Hagglunds BV206.
Capable of being used for a variety of tasks including forestry work and pipeline construction, it features servo-assistant steering technology which allows for flexibility and tight turns, with the turning radius less than eight metres – even when fully loaded. The vehicle is designed to military specifications and described as ‘ideal’ when it comes to negotiating difficult terrains.
The customised welfare unit can accommodate four people and can be towed by the BV206 or a dumper. It is self-dependent with its own generator.
Boasting a load capacity of over 600 kg in the front unit and 1,400kg in the rear unit, the model can carry up to 200kg of equipment on the roof of the rear unit.
George Leslie opted to have the machine equipped with a crane unit and tipping body, as well as the third trailer being used either as a welfare unit or an additional trailer.
“It’s very versatile,” Graham said. “It’ll help us with the more remote jobs that we’ve got going because it’s decent for all terrains and it can carry a good bit of weight. It gives us the advantage of carrying a second trailer off the back of it with a welfare unit on the back.
“It will help solve a lot of problems on our projects.”
The BV206 will assist with George Leslie’s work for Scottish Water after the firm was commissioned to carry out works associated with peatland restoration.
