Murphy chooses Andover Trailers units

16 August 2023

Plant hirer Murphy Plant has taken delivery of the first of six new plant bodies and four drawbar trailers from Andover Trailers. 

The sextet of bespoke bodies were chosen for their low profile and versatile loading options and are mounted to new 32-tonne 8×2 Mercedes Arocs chassis, four of which have a front-mounted PK63002E Palfinger crane. 

They replace older units, while the four tri-axle drawbars are new additions to the company’s 40-strong mixed commercial vehicle fleet.

Each of the new plant bodies includes a hydraulic beaver tail, underslung coupling and Andover’s fold-forward ramps, which combine to offer a flat load bed and are designed to provide maximum deck space on the truck and trailer. 

When folded, the ramps also keep wind resistance to a minimum, reducing fuel consumption. They also allow for the plant body to be through-loaded via the trailer without having to uncouple the two, decreasing loading and unloading times. 

The four front-mounted Palfinger cranes offer a 2,950kg lift at a 15.7m reach, providing maximum load versatility, including the transportation of cabins to site. With the trailers offering an additional payload capacity of up to 18 tonnes, each combination can carry a wide variety of plant, from 3-tonne dumpers to 15-tonne telehandlers.

The trucks, plant bodies and trailers have also been designed to meet the three-star rating for London’s Direct Vision Standard, including camera systems and audible turning alerts. They also have a telescopic working at height system for operator safety.

Operating out of Murphy’s Hemel Hempstead and Ollerton plant depots, the trucks and trailers will be on the road between five to six days per week, supplying plant to sites across the UK.