Forkers takes truck and drawbar combination from Andover trailers

Civil and ground engineering firm Forkers based in West Bromwich has taken delivery of a plant body and drawbar combination from Andover Trailers.

The combination will be used to transport plant and equipment for its heavy-duty drilling operations.

The bespoke plant body, mounted to a new Scania R450 8x2 chassis, works alongside the Andover-built, tri-axle drawbar trailer which has a payload of up to 18.6 tonnes.

There is a hydraulic beavertail with the company’s fold-forward ramps, which offer a flat load bed when the truck is in use without the trailer, while allowing for maximum deck space when coupled.

A ramp also means that the plant body can either be through-loaded via the trailer or, by positioning the drawbar at 90 degrees, can be loaded or unloaded without having to uncouple the two. There is also a six-tonne electric winch and a comprehensive load securing system, with removable twistlocks and a range of lashing points.

Forkers, which has a fleet of seven commercial vehicles made up of a variety of different plant bodies, is looking to keep both truck and trailer in service for about 10 years.

Dean Hudson, plant director at Forkers, said: “We wanted a truck and trailer combination that was capable of carrying a variety of plant, as well as the 20ft water containers we require for our drilling operations.

“We thought it was a tall order, but Andover tabled a design compact enough to fit within the length regulations, yet tough enough to carry the weight.

“The drawbar combination’s versatility is what really impressed us, particularly the variety of ways we can load and unload to both truck and trailer.”

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