News from Andover Trailers: A London headquartered plant hire company has ordered six new tri-axle step frame trailers from Andover Trailers, each specified with the same innovative fold forward ramps which the company is confident will help reduce the fuel consumption of its vehicles by 15%.
The order marks the first Andover-built step frame trailers to enter service with One Call Hire, which has been specifying the company’s plant bodies on its rigid trucks for almost two decades.
One Call Hire invested £32.6 million in its business in 2013 to ensure it has the best range of equipment and vehicles available to service its customers fully. The new trailers, worth more than £53,000 each, will be used by the business to deliver and collect pieces of plant for customers across the UK.
The bespoke-built SFLT 48s feature a low profile neck, side extensions to the deck, bridge and beavertail, a removable top deck stop bar and Andover’s signature fold-forward hydraulic power toe ramps with access toes, which power in together and power out to the width of the side extensions.
John Fitzpatrick, One Call Hire’s Chairman, explains why the company chose Andover for the order, “We’ve specified rigid bodies from Andover for 19 years so we knew the quality of the product was up to the demanding nature of our operation; however the clincher was the fuel saving capabilities of the fold forward ramps.
“We are extremely confident this feature alone will help us make savings of around 15 per cent compared to conventional trailers which is fantastic given the soaring cost of diesel. Coupled with the fact we know Andover products are built to last, we’re certain we have updated our fleet with the best equipment out there.”
Other features on the trailers include hardwood flooring, hydraulic steady legs – which ensure a safe and stable platform when parked on uneven ground – and two fixed SAF axles with the rear self-steering, for maximum manoeuvrability, operating on Michelin 235/75 R 17.5 tyres. SAF air suspension with a raise/lower valve enables the trailers to be quickly lowered for loading and unloading, or raised when delivering to sites with uneven ground.
Three pairs of heavy-duty deck lashings in the floor ensure equipment can be chained down securely for transit, two toolboxes are also located under the near side to hold any chains and short side extension timbers, with the long timbers stowed across the trailer. The trailers are finished in turquoise paint with silver conspicuity markings on the sides, to ensure maximum visibility at night.
One Call Hire has been providing plant hire solutions for customers since 1974. With more than 3000 machines available, the company has eight depots throughout the UK and is able to provide a range of machines from 47 tonne excavators and 12 tonne lift telescopic handlers down to 0.9 tonne micro excavators and 4m lift telescopic handlers.