Mar-Train’s latest addition is its 15th trailer from Andover, in a fleet that also includes tri-axle and four-axle variants.
“Andover will build the trailer exactly the way you want it to be built,” says Tim Martin, managing director of the Co Down-based operator.
“We believe they’re the best in the business when it comes to making trailers for the specific types of loads we carry.”
The new addition features 10-tonne lashing points which sit within the frame when not being used, reducing the risk of accidental damage.
When in use, they provide a direct line between the lashing ring and the securing point on the load. The centre of the trailer's frame also includes further securing positions that allow 14-tonne lashing points to be individually placed to suit different load requirements.
The 14.95m trailer can also extend by a further 2.5m, providing additional flexibility. The trailer extends via two outer box beams, which have been uprated for shorter, more concentrated loads of heavy machinery.
“The trailer is designed to carry its payload on a very short track length, which means a lot of weight – and incredible force – is placed on a very small area,” says Martin. “Happily, we know that Andover has both the design and manufacturing skills to build something that’s more than up to the task.”
Of the five BPW axles, three are fixed, with the remaining two featuring self-tracking steering and rated to 12 tonnes. BPW air suspension with raise and lower control is also fitted, which allows the trailer to be lowered to aid loading and unloading.
Other features include Andover’s heavy-duty hydraulic power toe ramps, which provide a low loading angle, and two heavy-duty hydraulic steady legs. The trailer also has galvanised side extensions, now designed as a universal component across all similar Andover builds to make them easier to replace quickly if required.
The trailer will transport Terex crushers and screeners across the UK and Ireland, and Mar-Train hopes to keep it in operation for more than 20 years – a precedent already set by other Andover trailers in the fleet that date back to the late 1990s.