Heavy-haulage specialist Potteries Heavy Haulage (PHH) has taken delivery of a pair of Goldhofer trailers for the transport of construction machinery, plus long and oversized loads across the UK and Europe.

Supplied through Goldhofer's UK partner, Andover Trailers, the Goldhofer tri-axle wafer deck low loader and five-axle extendable low loader trailers will be pulled by either 6X4 Scania or Mercedes-Benz tractor units, covering up to 60,000 miles a year.

Michael Edwards, PHH Managing Director said: "The majority of our work sees us transporting high and voluminous loads, where every millimetre of loading height counts. For these operations Goldhofer offers the most varied loading decks and the new units join our existing fleet of wafer deck, semi low loader and low loader heavy haulage trailers as additions."

The Type STZ-VH 3 tri-axle low loader incorporates a 30 tonne detachable hydraulic gooseneck for front loading of the deck. The extending wafer deck which is 220mm deep has a capacity of 45 tonnes and has a load length of 8,500mm, which can be extended by a further 6,000mm, allowing it to transport machinery up to 14,500mm long. The deck has finger joints at the rear and the trailer was supplied with an extra set of 6m extension beams giving a total deck length of 20.5m. The three axle bogie incorporates an excavator arm recess measuring 240mm deep by 490mm wide. The hydraulic suspension gives two deck heights, 390mm with a stroke of +110 /- 150mm or 300mm with a stroke of +200mm / - 60mm.


Also joining the fleet is a Type STN-L 5, five-axle extendable step frame, which has been built to transport a maximum payload of up to 69,300 kg. The trailer is fitted with three fixed axles and two self tracking SAE axles with the front axle lifting all on air suspension with raise/lower control. The trailer has a deck length of 9.3m extending by another 6.7m giving a total deck length of 16m.

Mr Edwards added: "We opted for Goldhofer because of its exceptional manoeuvrability, reliability and low running costs. Goldhofer products also have good second-hand value, which is important as we like to replace our trailers after six years operation. The support from Andover Trailers in the UK is also first class."

The STZ-VH 3 has auxiliary steering featuring Goldhofer's EasyCONTROL radio control system, for use when the vehicle is negotiating urban areas or locations with restricted access, with a range of 50 metres for operation by an individual following the trailer. The tri-axle wafer deck low loader has a gross weight of 63,750 kg and a maximum payload capacity of 43,540 kg at 62km/h, mounted on 235/75R17.5 wheels and tyres. Both units have already played a key role in the delivery of loads weighing over 35 tonnes from Germany to Aberdeen.

Potteries Heavy Haulage Ltd is a family-owned business with a wealth of experience built up over 25 years of moving abnormal and out of gauge loads throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe. Based in Stoke-on-Trent, the company operates a modern fleet of specialised trailers capable of moving all types of difficult or awkward cargo with access to all regions of the UK and to all ferry ports.

For information on the heavy haulage and specialist transport 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 or Visit: www.andovertrailers.co.uk