Scottish construction contractor, D.A. MacDonald, has taken delivery of its first ever Andover Trailers tri-axle step frame, selecting the Hampshire-based OEM after being impressed with the ability to tailor the build to its specific requirements.
The high-specification, bespoke-built beavertail step frame has a gross weight of 56 tonnes, making it perfectly suited to carrying the wide range of heavy construction plant D.A. MacDonald transports to civil engineering projects across Scotland.
Chris Stewart, Health, Safety Environment & Quality Manager at D.A. MacDonald, says: “We looked at a range of manufacturers for the new trailer and were certainly aware of Andover’s formidable reputation for build quality. One of the biggest contributing factors, however, was that they don’t simply sell trailers ‘off the shelf’, they gave us the flexibility to spec it exactly to our needs.”
The step frame replaces a similar competitor trailer and joins a varied commercial vehicle fleet, which includes a range of plant bodies, tippers and heavy plant. Specified with 17.5-inch wheels on BPW axles, with additional rear-lifting axle capability, the new trailer also includes multiple safety features, from slide-out wide load marker boards to strobes, safety lights and LED lighting for safer operation at night.
Andover Trailers’ beavertail design includes two 3.8m x 1m flip toe ramps with hydraulic sliding width adjustment, alongside 18 pairs of swivel, screw and fixed lashing points along the deck and low-profile neck, all designed to help accommodate a wide range of loads.
The new trailer will be pulled by D.A. MacDonald’s new Scania V8 R580 tractor unit and is expected to cover around 50,000 miles annually, staying in operation for at least eight years.
“We’re delighted with how the trailer has been performing so far, and we have no doubt that it will more than last the distance. That said, we do like to run a smart fleet, so if it needs to be replaced before then, we will certainly be looking to work with Andover Trailers again,” adds Stewart.
A family run business, D.A. MacDonald started operating in 1988, carrying out kerbing contracts and traditional stonework. The company has subsequently grown into a major civil engineering contractor, working on more than 50 hydro schemes across Scotland.
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For information on the heavy haulage and specialist transport solutions provided by Andover Trailers, contact Andover Trailers Ltd, Unit 75, Columbus Way, Walworth Business Park, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5NP. Tel: 01264 358 944 or e-mail: sales@andovertrailers.co.uk Website: www.andovertrailers.co.uk
Note to editor: For further press information please contact Gary Baker or James Keeler on 020 8647 4467.
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