Release date: 23 December 2002

ANDOVER TURNS THE SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY

Heavy haulage trailer manufacturer, Andover Trailers is trialling a new rear light cluster design that is set to make loading and unloading at night considerably safer. The new lights will be available early in 2003 on Andover’s full range of plant bodies, drawbar and step frame trailers.

Until now the rear lights on all heavy haulage trailers of this type had been hidden from view whilst the ramps were lowered, meaning cones and beacons needed to be put in place before any plant movement could take place in the dark.

Len Fuller, Technical Director of Andover Trailers, explains: “The new design allows the rear light clusters to be unclipped and attached to either side of the deck whilst the ramps are lowered. This means they can be clearly seen by oncoming vehicles throughout the loading or unloading process.”

The idea for the lighting system was suggested to Andover by Mr Terry Beasley, Managing Director of Surrey-based T&M Plant - one of Andover’s longest-standing customers. The company is trialling the new design on its new plant body and step frame trailers, which went into operation last month.

“Appreciating the danger of having an unlit trailer parked at the roadside, we’ve been very eager to introduce some kind of safety lighting,” adds Fuller. “However, with such a limited area of space visible when the ramps are lowered we had, until now, drawn the line at conspicuity graphics.

“The beauty about this new system is that is takes only a matter of seconds to move the clusters to the temporary positions before lowering the ramps, and it doesn’t involve any external parts or independent lights, which a driver could easily forget about and leave behind at the roadside,” he concludes.

When all the tests are finally completed Andover is going to offer the system to operators of existing vehicles as a retro fit kit. This will include a new light, mounting bracket and fixings for the side of the vehicle.

Andover Trailers is trialling a new rear light cluster design that is set to make
loading and unloading trailers at night considerably safer.

Release date: 31 October 2002

ANDOVER KEEPS DYER & BUTLER ON THE ROAD

Civil Engineering contractor Dyer & Butler Ltd has added an Andover Trailers bespoke-built centre balance drawbar tri-axle trailer to its fleet.

The 7.4 metre long trailer has been specifically designed to transport a 17 tonne road-planing machine whilst being towed behind a Scania P114 6x4 tipper.

The trailer will travel across the South of England from the company’s base in Nursling, Southampton, to building and engineering sites where the planer is required. It is equipped with an adjustable conveyor support and hydraulic steady legs linked to the operation of the hydraulic power toe ramps. The three axle trailer is fitted with Granning axles and air suspension, and has its own power pack to run the hydraulics.

“This is the first piece of Andover kit to join our fleet,” explains Paul Hobbs, Operations Director at Dyer & Butler Ltd. “The requirement for us to be able to transport a road planer is new to our business, but we chose the Andover product as it is renowned for being tough, and is manufactured relatively locally.”

Dyer & Butler Ltd has added an Andover Trailers bespoke-built centre
balance drawbar tri-axle trailer to its fleet, designed to transport a 17 tonne
road-planing machine whilst being towed behind a Scania P114 6x4 tipper.

Release date: 7 October 2002

PLANT BODY ENSURES ACCESS TO ALL AREAS

Surrey-based Bill Kear Plant & Agricultural Contractors Ltd has taken delivery of a new LPPB26 plant body from Andover Trailers, mounted on a new Volvo FM12 6X2 rigid chassis.

The 8.8m long bespoke-built low profile plant body gives a deck height which is five inches lower than a normal beavertail, producing lower ramp and beavertail approach angles for loading low ground clearance machines, including a 14 tonne road paver. The hydraulic beavertail allows the vehicle to tow a 24 tonne gross tri-axle drawbar trailer for extra capacity. The body is fitted with two 3.7m long, 1m wide, hydraulic power toe ramps.

The vehicle is also equipped with hydraulic steady legs, which are synchronised to operate in conjunction with the ramps, and an electric winch.

Bill Kear, Managing Director, says: “This latest purchase is a vital asset to the fleet as it can deliver plant and agricultural machinery in restricted locations where an artic wouldn’t have access. The 14 tonne payload is also impressive for a chassis plated at 26 tonnes and fitted with such a strong plant body.”

Andover Trailers design and build a range of beavertail plant bodies with low unladen weight and a vast range of options. The plant bodies are designed to handle everything from forklift trucks and access machines to general plant and large excavators.

Bill Kear Plant & Agricultural Contractors Ltd has taken delivery of a
new LPPB26 plant body from Andover Trailers, mounted on a new Volvo
FM12 6X2 rigid chassis.

Release date: 16 September 2002

ANDOVER TRAILERS APPOINTS SALES MANAGER FOR SCOTLAND AND IRELAND

Heavy haulage trailer manufacturer Andover Trailers has appointed Stewart Tindal to the new position of Area Sales Manager Scotland & Ireland.

Stewart brings with him over 20 years experience working within the trailer industry - including three years alongside two of Andover’s Directors, Ivan Collins and Len Fuller - at Craven Taskers during the 1980’s.

He will be responsible for selling the full range of heavy haulage products manufactured by Andover Trailers, including plant bodies, low loaders, step frames and drawbars, as well as specialist Goldhofer trailers imported from Germany.

“Trailers built in Andover are already used across Scotland and Ireland by some of the biggest firms in industry, including WH Malcolm,
Barr Construction and Mar-Train,” explains Stewart.

“As well as developing relationships with existing customers, I will be looking to increase our market share in both these regions, focusing particularly on plant body sales.

“Andover has an extensive range of plant bodies, and the basic model is 5” lower than a normal beavertail. This allows lower ramp and beavertail approach angles, and makes loading low ground clearance machines a lot easier,” he adds.

Mr Stewart Tindal, Area Sales Manager
Scotland & Ireland, Andover Trailers.

Release date: 4 September 2002

ANDOVER TRAILERS CONTINUES EXPORTS TO LATVIA

Heavy-haulage trailer manufacturer Andover Trailers has exported another specialist trailer to Latvia in Eastern Europe - a bespoke two-axle extending, dropwell step frame trailer.

The Hampshire-based company has supplied Silva Ltd with a 38-tonne step frame which will be used to transport a Timberjack Harvester and an accommodation module on jobs deep into the Latvian forests.

Andover received the order for this specialist trailer through Warren Equipment, its Estonian agent through which it has been exporting step frames and low loaders since the mid 1990s.

“We ship about ten trailers to Eastern Europe every year, but this is the first of this special product to enter service in Latvia,” says Ivan Collins, Sales Director at Andover Trailers.

“We’ve previously enjoyed a lot of success with customers in Estonia and other Baltic States, and we’ve even supplied a number of trailers for use on the Russian oil fields in Siberia.”

“When you are an operator working in that part of the world there are few specialist trailer servicing and maintenance outfits around, so any equipment you buy needs to be more than capable of surviving very rugged use in some of the harshest environments possible. The trailers we build in Andover are some of the strongest on the market, which is why our Eastern European customers return to us year after year,” he adds.

This latest export is an SFEX38 two-axle dropwell step frame trailer, fitted with an extending deck giving it a length of 15 metres in the lower deck. The trailer also features slide out side extensions that can increase its width from 2,530 mm to a maximum of 2,860 mm.

The trailer is pulled by a new Volvo FH12 6X4 tractor unit, and is in operation six days a week going deep into the Latvian forests. The trailer is equipped power steer axles using the well proven Goldhofer steering gear which is used for remote steering in tight parts of the forest. Special valves are fitted to lock the axles in the straight-ahead position when the steering is not in operation. The trailer is fitted with the latest Wabco electronic braking system (EBS). The sides of the trailer form wells to keep the height of the machine down for going under tramlines in the towns.

Andover Trailers has supplied Latvian-based Silva Ltd with
a 38-tonne step frame trailer, which will be used to transport a
Timberjack Harvester and an accommodation module on
jobs deep into the Latvian forests.

Release date: 6 August 2002

GOLDHOFER EXTENDIBLE HELPS RM PAGE WITH RAIL WORK

Heavy-haulage specialist RM Page & Sons has taken delivery of a new three axle Goldhofer double extending trailer to transport heavy items of plant, as well as pieces of rail, to destinations across the country.

Supplied through Goldhofer’s UK partner, Andover Trailers, the Goldhofer STZ L3 is pulled by a 6X4 Volvo tractor unit and will cover an average of
100,000 miles a year.

The trailer has been designed to handle loads weighing up to 43 tonnes and is equipped with a hydromechanical steering system providing steering to all three axles. Auxiliary steering, for use in very restricted areas, is also possible using a remote control system.

The frame offers a standard loading length of 8.4m, but extensions allow this to be increased to a maximum length of 19.4m, when necessary. The standard 2.5m width of the trailer can also be increased to 3.0m using foldable side extensions with wooden flooring.

Bob Page, a Senior Partner of RM Page & Sons, says: “This Goldhofer joins our existing fleet of seven heavy haulage trailers as a fleet addition, forming part of our current expansion plans. It will be joined by a Goldhofer STZ L4, a four axle power steer extending step frame and two step frames from Andover Trailers, one with a drop lower deck, before the end of the year.

“We chose the three axle Goldhofer for this latest task because of its exceptional manoeuvrability. The Goldhofer product also has a very good second-hand value, which is important as we like to replace our trailers after five or six years operation,” he adds.

Release date: 5 July 2002

HI-REACH ACCESS SHOWS OFF WITH ANDOVER TRAILERS

Wiltshire-based Hi-Reach Access Ltd has taken delivery of two new plant bodies from Andover Trailers, built onto Mercedes Benz 6X2 rigid chassis. Both vehicles are finished in a distinctive orange livery.

The bespoke-built low profile plant bodies will be used to transport powered access equipment to both sale and hire customers in conjunction with other Andover bodies from the company's Swindon, Cardiff and Nottingham bases.

Paul Richards, Managing Director of Hi-Reach Access Ltd, says: "We've been purchasing plant bodies from Andover Trailers since 1999 and they have proved to be very suitable for our application. Andover has shown a lot of flexibility in tailor-making the bodies to our exact requirements."

Both Mercedes Benz 6X2's are fitted with the LPPB26 plant body, which features a double cranked beavertail with 1m-wide hydraulic power toe ramps and hinged centre ramp to ease loading and unloading for the operator. It also features hydraulic steady legs, which are synchronised to operate in conjunction with the ramps and a Ramsey electric winch.

Andover Trailers design and build a range of beavertail plant bodies with low unladen weight and a vast range of options. The basic body gives a deck height 5" lower than a normal beavertail, producing lower ramp and beavertail approach angles for loading low ground clearance machines. The plant bodies are designed to handle everything from forklift trucks and access machines to general plant and large excavators.

Hi-Reach Access Ltd has taken delivery of two new low profile plant bodies from Andover Trailers, built onto Mercedes Benz 6X2 rigid chassis.

Release date: 18 June 2002

PANTHER PLATFORM RENTALS GETS MOVING WITH ANDOVER

Dunstable-based Panther Platform Rentals has taken delivery of a bright yellow LPPB26 plant body from Andover Trailers, mounted on a new Mercedes Benz 6X2 rigid.

The bespoke-built low profile plant body will be used to transport a wide range of mobile access equipment ranging from scissor lifts to self-propelled platforms.

The body is 9,390 mm long and 2,540 mm wide, and includes a double cranked beavertail with 1m-wide hydraulic power toe ramps, to ease loading and unloading for the operator. It features hydraulic steady legs, which are synchronised to operate in conjunction with the ramps, and an electric winch.

Brian Fleckney, Managing Director at Panther Platform Rentals, says: "Andover Trailers was selected to build the plant body as they could satisfy our exact requirements, and were used to working on the Mercedes chassis."

Panther Platform Rentals supplies a full range of access equipment, ranging from cherry pickers to 18.2m truck-mounted platforms, as well as specialist underbridge units which provide customers with a safe method of working beneath a bridge or parapet. Its equipment is available for both sale and hire.

Andover Trailers design and build a range of beavertail plant bodies with low unladen weight and a vast range of options. The basic body gives a deck height 5" lower than a normal beavertail, producing lower ramp and beavertail approach angles for loading low ground clearance machines. The plant bodies are designed to handle everything from forklift trucks and access machines to general plant and large excavators.

Release date: 12 April 2002

OSMONDS ADDS ANOTHER ANDOVER

Kent-based Osmonds Plant Hire & Transport has added another semi-sloping step frame trailer to its fleet, supplied by Andover Trailers.

The trailer is the fifth step frame from Andover to go into operation with the company, which also runs a Goldhofer low loader designed to carry loads weighing up to 55 tonnes.

This latest step frame is constructed with a semi sloping frame which gives more accessibility to use the full deck when moving multi loads such as road making gangs. The trailer will be used to move road-surfacing equipment across the UK, covering up to 50,000 miles each year. It will work in conjunction with a Mercedes tractor unit.

This is the first semi sloper from Andover to be fitted with SAF disc brake axles. To compensate, it is also fitted with 19.5 inch tyres which increase the deck height of the beavertail by 50mm (the difference is then taken out on the semi sloping frame).

Tom Osmond, joint Managing Director of Osmonds PH & Transport, says: "We've had a lot of experience with step frames from Andover Trailers over the years and have not experienced any problems.

"We never look to purchase the cheapest products on the market as they can be prone to cracking and breaking, whilst the Andover step frames do a proper job," he adds.

Situated in Brenchley, Osmonds PH & Transport has been trading for 26 years as a heavy haulage and plant hire specialist. The company operates a fleet of six artics, four tippers, two sweepers and one smaller 7.5 tonne truck.

Release date: 28 February 2002

SMART LOADING WITH ANDOVER TRAILERS

Groundwork contractors 'G Jens / J Terry' has taken delivery of a tandem axle centre balance drawbar trailer from Andover Trailers, to use in conjunction with its new Cargo tector tipper.

The beavertail trailer, which will be used to transport items of plant, is also equipped with an additional set of ramps which can be lowered into the tipper body on the Cargo. This allows vehicles and plant to be driven from the trailer onto the truck itself, cutting what would previously have resulted in two separate journeys down to just one.

"It's a great design which means the tipping body can easily be loaded to carry plant or small vehicles in addition to the drawbar trailer," explains John Terry, Managing Director.

Plated at 9.9 tonnes, the drawbar trailer is 5,200mm long and 2,300mm wide, and is fitted with air suspension that can be lowered for loading. The trailer is also equipped with manual ramps which are constructed in steel from a Vanidium alloy material. Fitted with the lightweight Obeshe timber makes the ramps strong yet light enough for an operator to handle.

"When the time came to replace our older vehicle we went to visit Andover Trailers as we'd seen so many of their trailers on the road. The company had also been recommended to us by a number of other operators we'd spoken to," he adds.

The truck and trailer combination will be used across Kent and the surrounding local areas, and is expected to cover approximately
40,000 km a year.

Release date: 30 January 2002

EXTENDABLE BODY WORKS WONDERS FOR SMP

Cheltenham-based SMP (Grimshaw) Ltd, which specialises in renting portable buildings, has taken delivery of a 6X2 Renault Premium fitted with an extendable body from Andover Trailers.

The hydraulic extension offers an extra 8 ft of load space, allowing buildings of up to 32 ft in length to be carried. When two smaller sized units need transporting, the Renault is used in conjunction with a new 20 ft (9 tonne) tandem axle centre balanced drawbar trailer, also supplied by Andover Trailers.

Replacing a Leyland DAF, this latest vehicle is equipped with a remote control Atlas 225.1 A2 crane for the loading and unloading of buildings, along with twistlocks and a folding bumper with a VBG coupling. It will operate across Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

"The extendable body and trailer give us the flexibility we need to carry most sizes of buildings," explains Charles Simpkins, a Director of SMP. "This is the first Andover Trailers product to join our fleet, but initial feedback from the driver is impressive."

Both the body and the trailer have been designed to carry portable buildings up to 3m wide and 3.6m high. The trailer is also fitted with 'D' shackles at each corner and restraint cables to the air suspension, to help it get lifted onto the prime mover for return journeys.

Release date: 8 January 2002

FORTY FOUR TONNE STEPFRAME ENTERS OPERATION IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

Andover Trailers has supplied Guernsey-based Paul Rouget Plant Hire Ltd with a 44 tonne tandem axle stepframe trailer, complete with a beavertail and ramps.

The trailer will be used to transport items of plant to building sites across the 25-square mile island, ranging in size from 3.5 tonne mini-diggers to twenty tonne Hitachi excavators. It has been adapted from the standard model to meet the customer's unique requirements.

The specification incorporates a low profile neck, 750mm metre wide hydraulic ramps and slide out extensions to the deck, bridge, beavertail and steel underlay floor. The trailer is finished in a distinctive blue livery and will be pulled by a Scania 113 4X2 tractor unit.

"Most of the roads on Guernsey are very narrow indeed, and we have to respect a 25mph speed limit which governs vehicles plated above three tonnes," explains Paul Rouget, Managing Director. "The importance of choosing a highly manoeuvrable trailer was a key factor in opting for the Andover Trailers model."

When coupled to the tractor unit the total length of the vehicle is 42 ft, falling neatly inside the island's maximum length restriction of 43 ft.

Andover Trailers has supplied an adapted 44 tonne tandem axle stepframe
trailer, complete with a beavertail and ramps, to Guernsey-based Paul Rouget Plant Hire Ltd.