After initially specifying two very similar builds from Andover in 2004, these were replaced like-for-like in 2013, before that pair made way for this latest delivery. The new plant body is mounted to a 26-tonne Volvo FM 380 6x2 chassis, and along with the tri-axle, 60-tonne step frame trailer, join a Volvo FM 500 tractor unit and two MAN tippers in the company's commercial vehicle fleet.
Alan Bingham of Mulholland Contracts, said: "As soon as we received our first Andover builds, we could see why they had such a good reputation in the marketplace. The first two, and the pair that subsequently replaced them, never missed a beat, so the decision to return to Andover for our latest truck and trailer order was a simple one.
"The team at Andover has always bent over backwards to accommodate any request we’ve made when it comes to tweaking the specification of either build – nothing is too much trouble and that’s a huge positive from our side."
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One of the changes the company has opted for on the latest plant body is a double crank beavertail to provide shallower access to the deck via a pair of 2.5m long cheese wedge ramps, allowing the vehicle to be used as a flat bed when required, whilst also offering reduced drag and deliver impressive fuel savings.
The new body also benefits from Andover Trailers’ trademark low-profile deck. The deck features six pairs of lashing points, with further lashing loops under the side rave to maximise the range of plant it is able to carry, alongside a full working from height safety system.
To further add to this flexibility Mulholland Contracts has also specified a 5-tonne hydraulic winch and Palfinger crane mounted behind the cab, capable of lifting 8.9-tonnes. This allows the company to load building materials and concrete blocks as well as various types of plant.
The new 13.4m step frame trailer is constructed with a durable, four-member design for added strength. The 1m-wide, 4m-long hydraulic flip toe ramps allow for the easy loading and unloading of a range of heavy machinery, including everything from six-tonne dumpers through to 30-tonne excavators.
Specified with 19.5-inch wheels on BPW axles, the trailer also has the ability to lift the rear axle when required. The step frame features a 6-tonne electric winch, 11 pairs of lashing points and multiple safety features like slide-out wide load marker boards, additional reverse safety lamps, LED strobes and working from height system.
Both the plant body and trailer will operate six days a week delivering to building sites across central Scotland. Clocking up to 80,000 miles a year, they are expected to stay in Mulholland Contract’s fleet for around six years – no doubt replaced by two similar Andover builds.
