Release date: 25 November 2005

GOLDHOFER DESIGNS TWO TRAILERS IN ONE

Heavy haulage trailer manufacturer Goldhofer has designed a new model of trailer which is capable of transporting trams and oversized heavy construction machinery, with a fast loading and unloading turnaround.

This was a pre-requisite for the order, placed by Spanish haulier Hipertrans, due to its high-density transportation schedule.

Goldhofer's engineers developed this new trailer concept with an extremely low loading height of 700 mm, and a technical payload of

55 tonnes. The trailer also benefits from a loading platform 11.5 m long, but which is extendable to 19.7 m for the transportation of the trams.

Ivan Collins, Sales Director of Andover Trailers, Goldhofer's sole UK distributor, explains: “The low height was made possible by using dropped knuckle-type steering axles.

“To load the semi trailer with heavy construction machines, a special superstructure with hydraulic loading ramps is mounted over the dropped axles, thus resulting in a loading height of approximately 880 mm.”

“This enables the customer to convert his tram transporter into a trailer suitable of carrying construction machinery, within a very short space of time,” he adds.

Since the concept was designed, Madrid-based Hipertrans has already taken delivery of two of these new Goldhofer trailers.

Release date: 16 November 2005

SPADEOAK STICKS WITH ANDOVER

Road laying specialists, Spadeoak Construction Co Ltd, has traded in its two five year old semi-sloping step frames against the purchase of two new trailers from Andover Trailers, each with unique under frame stowage boxes.

The High Wycombe-based company worked closely with Andover to make a series of minor modifications to the trailers, to suit its ongoing business requirements. In addition to the under frame stowage boxes, which can be accessed through the floor and carry up to 16 containers of ‘tack coat’ – used in road manufacturing – the trailers feature electronically controlled ramps with a fold forward option, operated by remote or radio control.

Spadeoak Group Director, David Dawe, explained: “The beauty of working with Andover is that you get a trailer built specifically to your own requirements, and not simply a standard trailer off the production line.

“The build quality is also first class and since it is such a desired product in the industry, residual values remain strong even after five years of rigorous work,” he adds.

The two trailers benefit from a semi-sloping frame, a low profile neck and BPW air suspension with raise/lower control. The trailer is also fitted with BPW disc brake axles with a rear axle lifting facility, together with 1.2 m hydraulic fold forward power toe ramps and an 8,000 lb electric winch with remote control.

Release date: 24 October 2005

TILTING STEP FRAME PUTS SPEEDLIFT ON THE ROLL

Girvan-based Speedlift has taken delivery of a new tri-axle step frame with beavertail from Andover Trailers, to take on the rigorous dual role of transporting caravans and being used for automotive salvage recovery.

The bespoke built SFCL40 incorporates a low profile neck which has a pivoting fifth wheel subframe mounted under it. This subframe is connected to the trailer through two hydraulic cylinders which lift the front of the trailer by 340mm, when operated, giving a slope on the deck of 2 degrees, making unloading the caravans a simple operation.

“We read on Andover's website that they had designed a specialist tilting deck for Hewden, to allow easy unloading of heavy compressors with small diameter wheels and a high rolling resistance,” says Gareth McKechan, Managing Director of Speedlift.

“It struck us that this would work equally well when transporting caravans, as opting for a full sloping deck trailer would have made it hard to tie-on and secure some of the accident damaged plant and machinery, as well as caravans, during the loading process,” he adds.

The new step frame replaces an existing ARB trailer, and becomes the first Andover to be purchased by the company. It is expected to remain on the fleet for up to four years, and will operate across Scotland and the North of England, in conjunction with a Scania 6x2 tractor unit.

The 13.6m long trailer features slide out extensions to the deck, bridge and beavertail, and is fitted with BPW axles and air suspension with raise/lower control, together with a lifting rear axle. It also benefits from 1m wide hydraulic power toe ramps with hydraulic sideways, together with a 14,000lb electric winch. All of the systems on the trailer are operated by radio control, a first for Andover - these include the adjustable neck, ramps, sideways for the ramps, power pack, winch and even the emergency stop for all the systems.

The neck of the trailer has a slight taper in it so the lifting cylinders are within the floor area. A tyre inflation system is fitted to the trailer to allow the driver to inflate flat caravan tyres.

When the trailer is not being used to transport caravans, it takes on an automotive salvage recovery role, transporting accident damaged trucks, cars and forklifts.

Release date: 20 October 2005

GOLDHOFER 'MOVED IN TAIWAN'

The Sea & Land Transportation Service based in Teipei, Taiwan has completed one of the largest heavy haulage movements of recent times using a specialist Goldhofer trailer.

The cargo comprised a reactor component weighing 1,150 tonnes which needed to be transported a total of two kilometres.  This required 50 Goldhofer axle lines, consisting of two self-propelled six axle bogies of PST/SL and 38 HP/SL axle lines.

With a gross combination weight of 1,400 tonnes, and a total length of 33.69 m, the transport route was first tested utilising 14 fully loaded cargo containers, to check that the route was capable of carrying the load requirement.

"The test proved the terrain was suitable, although steel plates were used to reinforce the road where necessary," explains Ivan Collins, Sales Director of Andover Trailers, Goldhofer's sole UK supplier.

"With the transportation ready to commence, the team manoeuvred the heavy duty combination precisely under the load.  As the hydraulic suspension lifted the 1,150 tonnes slowly, the giant started to move.

"Riding on some 400 tyres, and driven by 860 hp, the self-propelled transporters ensured a jerk free and smooth movement, thanks to their hydrostatic drive," he adds.

With the two kilometre route complete, the heaviest job remained and this involved a 3,000 tonne Mammoet crane pulling the reactor upright. This procedure meant a pressure of approximately 900 tonnes resting on the rear bearing of the Goldhofer module, which had to be overcome by correcting the hydraulic support of the heavy duty modules.

With the job complete, the final task was for the eight-man transport team to reconvert the 50 axle combination into its individual modules.

Release date: 14 October 2005

ANDOVER TRAILERS APPOINTS NEW SALES MANAGER

Heavy haulage trailer manufacturer Andover Trailers has appointed Clive Jones, 47, to the position of Sales Manager - responsible for England and Wales.

Mr Jones brings with him extensive experience of the commercial vehicle industry, having earned his apprenticeship working on trucks and farm machinery, and having spent the past seven years selling trailers, most recently for Mac Trailers.

He will be responsible for selling the full range of heavy haulage products manufactured by Andover Trailers, with a particular focus on low loaders, step frames and drawbars, as well as specialist Goldhofer trailers imported from Germany. Plant bodies and used trailers also fall within Mr Jones’ remit.

“One of the challenges with working for Andover is that 90 per cent of our trailers are bespoke built, so it is not a simple case of selling the same product over and over again,” says Mr Jones. “Whilst other manufacturers have moved to trying to sell fixed trailer specifications, we are dedicated to customising every trailer we build to suit each customer's own requirements.”

“It is also an interesting time to be joining Andover Trailers, as we are noticing a marked increase in the number of customers moving from 44 tonne trailers up to four-axle 50 and 56 tonne models,” he adds. “We have put this down to the fact that plant is getting heavier, so the trailers need to be as well.”

Release date: 5 October 2005

ONE CALL HIRE TAKES DELIVERY OF NEW ANDOVER FLEET

South East and Midlands-based One Call Hire Ltd has taken delivery of four new Scania 8x2 rear-steer rigids, plated at 32 tonnes, and fitted with plant bodies built by Andover Trailers.

Each of the vehicles are finished in a distinctive turquoise livery and feature a new design of removable ladder system, which is mounted to the side of the plant body and allows the driver to easily access excavators which have been loaded onto the trucks. This unique ladder system allows the loading of over-width excavators as it acts independently from the deck, so that it can be removed once the load is in place.

The LPPB32 bodies are 8.8 m long and offer a deck height that is five inches lower than a normal beavertail, producing lower ramp and beavertail approach angles to make loading and unloading easier and safer.

The vehicles will operate across the south east of England , from the English Channel up to the Midlands , delivering a full range of self-drive items of plant ranging from excavators to telehandlers and dumpers.

John Fitzpatrick, Managing Director of One Call Hire, says: “We placed the order with Andover Trailers as they have a proven industry reputation for manufacturing the toughest plant bodies on the market, and which command high residual values when it comes to trading the vehicles in several years down the line.”

The bodies feature 3.7 m long, 1 m wide, hydraulic power toe ramps, with Palfinger cranes mounted on the side of the plant body. The specification features hydraulic steady legs, which are synchronised to operate in conjunction with the ramps, and the vehicles are also fitted with an 8,000 lb Superwinch, to ease the loading and unloading of machines.

For further information on the heavy haulage solutions provided by Andover Trailers, contact Ivan Collins at Andover Trailers Ltd, Unit 75, Columbus Way , Walworth Industrial Estate, Andover , Hampshire , SP10 5NP . Tel: 01264 358 944 or e-mail: sales@andovertrailers.co .uk. The website can be viewed at www.andovertrailers.co.uk

Release date: 8 June 2005

DUTCH HEAVY HAULIER SPECIFIES UNIQUE GOLDHOFER

Dutch heavy haulage specialist Baetsen Co, has taken delivery of a unique new trailer from Goldhofer which has been supplied with two separate decks, enabling it to tackle new payload dimensions.

The two different options comprise a telescopic low profile deck suitable for payloads of 75 tonnes, plus a hydraulically adjustable vessel deck designed for payloads of up to 120 tonnes.

Both decks are telescopic and can be extended in length by using extension beams, enabling goods of more than 20,000 mm to be transported on the deck. Additionally, the vessel deck of the Goldhofer combination can be hydraulically extended to 6,400 mm in width.

The trailer’s specification includes a total of 10 THP/UT axle lines with air-operated disc brakes, but combinations are possible thanks to the trailer’s modular construction. It also includes a universal gooseneck which can be coupled to either of the loading decks or to the bogies, with a technical 5 th wheel load of 35 tonnes.

Ivan Collins, Sales Director at Andover Trailers, Goldhofer’s sole UK distributor, explains: “By using this trailer concept, Baetson Co is well prepared to tackle a wide range of heavy haulage requirements. It has also ordered a long-load package with 100 tonne turntable bolstersspecially designed to handle the transport of extremely long loads, such as pipes and vessels.”

For easier and additional manoeuvrability, the trailer combination has been fitted with the Goldhofer EasyControl which allows the vehicle to be manually steered via a radio remote control.

The paint finish was also carefully specified to ensure a long life span, with the complete trailer combination finished in a zinc-coated design with painting in the company’s corporate colours.

Technical data (based on the Goldhofer STZ-VH 10 (4+6):

Speed: 80 km/h
5 th wheel load: 35,000 kg
Axle load: 10 X 16,000 kg
Total weight: 195,000 kg
Unladen weight: 74,000 kg
Approximate payload: 121,000 kg
Loading platform of vessel deck: 8,000 x 6.400 mm
Extended by 5,000 mm to: 13,000 mm

Release date: 4 May 2005

FOUR NEW ANDOVER PLANT BODIES FOR CLIVE BARFORD

Clive Barford Ltd (CBL), the leading compact equipment specialist in southern England , has added four new Scania 26 tonne rigids to its fleet, each specified with plant bodies built by Andover Trailers.

The LPPB26 bodies are 9 m long and offer a deck height that is five inches lower than a normal beavertail, producing lower ramp and beavertail approach angles to make loading and unloading easier and safer.

They join a fleet of 28 commercial vehicles which are used to deliver compact construction equipment for both hire and sale ranging from ¾ tonne mini-excavators through to 17 metre telehandlers across the south.

Commenting on the delivery, Richard Galvin, Regional Director, says : “Andover Trailers is a specialist when it comes to building plant bodies, and their products are among the strongest on the market. We have tried alternatives over the years, but nothing stands up to such rugged use as the Andover bodies.”

The bodies feature short 2.5 m long, 1 m wide, hydraulic power toe ramps which allow CBL to transport dumper trucks with the bodies sitting over the ramps. The specification also features hydraulic steady legs, which are synchronised to operate in conjunction with the ramps, and the vehicles are also fitted with Ramsay BH500 hydraulic winches with remote and radio control, to ease the loading and unloading of machines. One of the trucks has also been fitted with a Palfinger PK21502A crane.

Release date: 5 April 2005

ANDOVER TRAILERS TOOLS UP AT THE CV SHOW

CV Show, Stand No. 025, Hall 17

Andover Trailers is using the occasion of the Commercial Vehicle Show to highlight its impressive range of heavy haulage transport solutions, which include plant bodies, drawbar trailers, low loaders and step frames.

New for 2005

Andover is also focusing on its new status as the sole distributor of Bevola steel toolboxes, which are designed specifically for fitment to trucks and trailers and are being marketed to operators, body builders and dealers.

Examples from the Bevola range will be displayed on Andover 's stand at the Show, including the popular Flexibox, which can be supplied in stainless bright steel, galvanised steel, aluminium and combinations. This allows customers to specify a toolbox in aluminium, for reduced weight, or galvanised steel, to suit all price ranges, whilst still keeping a stainless steel door to give the toolbox an exclusive look.

“We have been looking for a better quality box to fit on our plant bodies and trailers and I saw these at a show in Germany ,” says Ivan Collins, Sales Director at Andover Trailers. “The quality is so impressive it made sense to become a full distributor and make them available to a wider market in the UK .

“The Bevola products are available in a range of standard sizes, but can be built to specific dimensions on request,” adds Collins. “This allows them to be tailor-made in unusual sizes to suit all possible applications.”

All toolboxes in the Bevola range feature ventilation to avoid any condensation, and benefit from steel hinges which can be easily replaced. The hinges are also mounted in such a way that they are protected behind the door, resulting in a longer life and keeping them free from risk of collision by another vehicle.

Release date: 23 March 2005

GOLDHOFER LAUNCHES NEW LOW LOADER DETACHABLE NECK TECHNOLOGY

Goldhofer has launched a new extendable low profile low loader for the heavy haulage market, which will enable operators to carry increased load volumes whilst still passing safely under motorway bridges.

Available to operators through its sole UK distributor, Andover Trailers, the Goldhofer STZ-VL 3 combines a lower profile deck and a new goose neck design with outer beams, to give significant operational advantages and greater flexibility in comparison with a conventionally designed trailer.

The hydraulic neck members and lifting levers are on the outside of the neck, like a boat trailer, which allows the truck to turn closer to the bed. This improves the overall turning radius of the vehicle, whilst at the same time giving a longer lower deck for a given overall length - 500mm when closed, or up to 1,000mm when the trailer is extended.

This new design also makes it possible to remove the aluminium floor sections in the goose neck centre section, which enables boat hulls or special containers to extend into the area between the outer beams. Higher payloads of approximately 400kg are also made possible, thanks to the reduced unladen weight of the trailer.

“Heavy haulage operators are continually under pressure to transport even longer and higher loads, and this new low profile Goldhofer trailer represents a significant step forward in technology,” says Ivan Collins, Sales Director of Andover Trailers. “Extra beams can also be added to the deck for longer extensions, like the 7m beams already supplied to Rawcliffe Heavy Haulage for its extending Goldhofer wafer bed trailer.

“Whilst European regulations will restrict operators from taking full advantage of the new trailer on the continent, heavy hauliers in the UK will have no such problems,” he points out.

	Technical data	Mainland Europe	UK
	Speed	80 km/h	80 km/h
	5th wheel load	18,000 kg	24,000 kg
	Axle Load	3 x 10,000 kg	3 x 11,200 kg
	Dead Weight	16,600 kg	16,600 kg
	Total Weight	48,000 kg	57,600 kg
	Payload	31,400 kg	41,000 kg
	Gooseneck length x width		3,850 mm x 2,480 mm
	Turning radius		2,400 mm
	Loading platform length x width		7,700 mm x 2,550 mm
	Single extendible by		5,300 mm
	Flatbed height		220 mm
	Bogie length		4,420 mm
	Loading height		300/340 mm
	Tyres		245/70 R 17,5

Release date: 7 March 2005

BRIAN DOOGUE TURNS OPERATORS BLUE WITH ENVY

Brian Doogue Haulage Ltd, based in South Harrow, Middlesex, has taken delivery of an SFCL 56 step frame trailer from Andover Trailers to operate in conjunction with a new Scania R500 Topline Classic 6x2 tractor unit.

Finished in a matching blue livery, the tri-axle step frame with beavertail will be used for transporting heavy items of plant nationwide and is expected to remain on the fleet for three years, covering approximately 100,000 km a year.

“I purchased an almost identical step frame trailer from Andover in September 2003 and have been so impressed with its performance that I had no hesitation in ordering another,” explains Brian Doogue, Managing Director.

“The nature of our operation means the fleet is worked very hard, and both the tractor unit and trailer benefit from a high specification which ensures maximum productivity and safety,” he adds.

The SCFL 56 offers a maximum payload of 45 tonnes, and is 13.2m long and 2.75m wide, with a low profile neck and slide out extensions to the deck, bridge and beavertail. It also benefits from BPW axles and air suspension with a self steering and lifting rear axle, together with a Wabco auto-lower function. The trailer is mounted on 19.5” tyres.

The trailer is equipped with 2.5m long by 1m wide power toe ramps with hydraulic width adjustment. A 14,000 lb radio controlled electric winch has also been installed to ease with the loading and unloading of machines.

For additional safety, the trailer is fitted with flashing beacons on each of the ramps, LED lights in the toes, halogen reversing lights and indicator lights halfway down the trailer. The Scania tractor unit is also fitted with roof mounted flashing beacons and a HiBar and EuroBar set of spotlights

Release date: 23 February 2005

ANDOVER TRAILERS TO SELL BEVOLA TOOLBOXES

Andover Trailers has become the sole distributor for Bevola toolboxes, offering operators, body builders and dealers in the UK a comprehensive range of steel toolboxes which can be fitted to trucks and trailers.

Examples from the Bevola range will be displayed on Andover’s stand (Hall 17, Stand 025) at the Automotive Trade Show, which is running alongside the CV Show at the NEC from April 5 to 7, 2005.

The Bevola range, which includes the popular Flexibox, can be supplied in stainless bright steel, galvanised steel, aluminium and combinations. This allows customers to specify a toolbox in aluminium, for reduced weight, or galvanised steel, to suit all price ranges, whilst still keeping a stainless steel door to give the toolbox an exclusive look.

“We have been looking for a better quality box to fit on our plant bodies and trailers and I saw these at a show in Germany,” says Ivan Collins, Sales Director at Andover Trailers. “The quality is very good so it made sense to become a full distributor and make them available to a wider market in the UK.”

“The Bevola products are available in a range of standard sizes, but can be built to specific dimensions on request,” adds Collins. “This allows them to be tailor-made in unusual sizes to suit all possible applications.”

All toolboxes in the Bevola range feature ventilation to avoid any condensation, and benefit from steel hinges which can be easily replaced. The hinges are also mounted in such a way that they are protected behind the door, resulting in a longer life and keeping them free from risk of collision by another vehicle.

Release date: 18 February 2005

ANDOVER TRAILERS STEP FRAME FILLS NEW ROLE FOR MCARDLE

Wembley-based McArdle Environmental Ltd has purchased its first step frame trailer from Andover Trailers to make deliveries in restricted areas where its existing low loader cannot easily access.

The SFCL50 tri-axle step frame with beavertail was selected on the basis of its strength, build quality and reputation amongst heavy hauliers in the industry. It will be used to deliver items of heavy plant, such as excavators and soil stabilising equipment to civil engineering projects across the country.

“Despite being smaller, the Andover Trailers step frame has a payload of up to 40 tonnes and is the perfect size for making deliveries to busy sites such as the M25 road widening project - somewhere which is very difficult with the low loader,” says Jerry Twomey, General Manager of McArdle Environmental Ltd.

At 13.2m long, the step frame features a low profile neck which has been designed to fit on the company’s high tractor unit with slide out extensions to the deck, bridge and beavertail. It is also fitted with a lifting rear axle and air suspension, with raise and lower control.

The specification also includes 1m wide and 2.5m long heavy duty hydraulic loading ramps, with hydraulic sideways and a Ramsey BH500 winch with remote control facility to help with the loading and unloading of plant.

Finished in ‘Toyota Lake Blue’ paintwork, the trailer is built to operate in conjunction with a Volvo FH16 6x4 tractor unit, plated at 150 tonnes. It is expected to remain in operation for up to seven years, and joins a commercial vehicle fleet which includes 17 eight wheel tippers and one other tractor unit, which operates with the low loader.

Release date: 5 January 2005

PROVEN INDUSTRY RECORD WINS STEP FRAME ORDER

Bristol-based Andrew Tucker Transport Ltd has replaced its year-old Tirsan step frame trailer with a new SFCL56 tri-axle step frame with beavertail, supplied by Andover Trailers.

The step frame was chosen based on Andover’s proven industry record and its impressive payload capacity of up to 45 tonnes, which enables Andrew Tucker to transport even the largest crushers and other items of construction machinery.

“We needed the Andover to cope with the heavier machines we are being asked to deliver for our customers, as the existing trailer was not adequate for anything weighing much over 35 tonnes,” says Andrew Tucker.

“It's the first time we have ever operated an Andover Trailers product on the fleet, and our initial impression has been very positive. Our operation will see the trailer cover over 250,000 km a year, so we will really be putting it to the test!” he adds.

The step frame is fitted with a low profile neck, with slide out side extensions to the deck, bridge and beavertail, with additional extensions behind the rear axle and stowage for timbers.

The trailer measures 12m long and 2.5m wide, and benefits from a lifting rear axle and a Granning suspension, with a raise and lower control. It also features 1m wide hydraulic heavy duty power toe ramps with hydraulic sideways.

It will operate in conjunction with a Volvo FH16 tractor unit, which is finished in a matching red livery.