Adam Moores, Winterton’s operations manager, said: “Because the product we’re carrying isn’t heavy, we don’t need an eight wheeler. Yet because our job is all about payload volume, we still want to carry the biggest boxes on the truck we can. Therefore, the ideal chassis for this is a long wheelbase 6x2 which is both lighter, less expensive and more manoeuvrable than an 8x4. After much consideration, we’ve created a truck that’s ideally suited to our needs.”
The hookloader unit offers a big 26 tonnes lift capacity, making light work of loading any weight or type of container. The chassis has an air suspension complete with a raise / lower capability which is claimed to be particularly valuable when the truck is working in rural applications such as along farm tracks. The rearmost axle has both a lifting and steering capability, aiding manoeuvrability in confined spaces. The truck also features a 500hp engine that is said to make for good progress when working with its ‘more often than not’ tri-axle drawbar trailer. Additionally, an uprated front axle with wide single tyres guards against any overload.
The truck’s resulting 16 tonnes of unladen weight offers a 10 tonnes payload. It is employed mainly on drop and swap work with sawmills across Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Manchester.