The new vehicles are six MAN TGL 8.190 4x2 flatbeds and 20 MAN TGM 18.250 4x2 flatbeds. All of the 18-tonne TGMs have Hiab X-HiDuo 158 cranes.
Bodied by Brit-Tipp of Warrington, the vehicles have lightweight aluminium flatbed bodies, with cross-member, deck-mounted load restraint rings, galvanised removable side and corner posts, and lockable ratchet strap boxes.
The six 7.5-tonne TGL 8.190s all have two-man 2,240mm wide MAN C Cabs. Eighteen of the heavier 18-tonne TGMs also feature the two-man C Cab; the other two have the single bunk sleeper L Cab which includes a 2,005mm long, 749mm wide mattress.
All 26 vehicles comply with the specification for the FORS Silver standard. Additional safety features include audible left-turn warning systems, blind spot cameras, reversing cameras and live feed forward facing cameras, which can be monitored from the operations office.
The 20 TGMs also feature front and rear strobe lights and Hiab’s Boom Deployment Assistant system (BDA) which prevents the driver from moving the vehicle if the crane is not stowed away correctly.
Chris Maclean, transport logistics director at the Liverpool-based operator, says: “This upgrade of a significant part of our fleet takes advantage of the benefits that new MAN vehicles offer.
“Early feedback, in terms of efficiency, support and driver comfort, is extremely positive.”