HE services digs deep with truck and trailer investment 13 February 2012

The UK's largest specialist excavator hire company has taken delivery of three new 32 tonne DAF CF85 8x2 rigids, mounted with Andover Trailers plant bodies. A further four are currently under construction and will go into service shortly.

HE Services, which boasts an excavator fleet of more than 2,000, will use the vehicles to transport plant between the company's 12 depots throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

"We've had a long-running relationship with Andover Trailers and they understand that we expect a product which is reliable and strong," comments Peter Durey, managing director of HE Services.

"You know that when you buy an Andover Trailers plant body, it is built to last," he continues. "I have no doubt that, with the quality of these trucks, they could be easily in service for a decade – although we only keep them on our fleet for three years."

The LPPB 32 body features fuel-saving hydraulic fold-forward ramps – a design pioneered by Andover Trailers. Measuring 2.7m by 1m wide, they fold flat against the deck – minimising aerodynamic drag while the truck is moving.

The specification also includes hydraulic steady legs, which ensure a stable platform for loading and unloading, as well as six pairs of lashing points in the floor to hold equipment down securely.

All seven vehicles have also been equipped with red diesel tanks, with hose and nozzle, which will be used to refuel HE Services construction machinery on-site or on the move.

The DAF chassis were provided by Channel Commercials, each finished in HE Services' orange and blue livery.

The excavator hire company has also ordered six 48-tonne, two 53-tonne and two four-axle 67-tonne step frames from Andover Trailers – each specified with heavy-duty SAF disc brake axles.

Says Durey: "We have used drum brakes in the past and have had a few problems with them cracking, which we wanted to avoid. Specifying these top quality SAF disc brakes made sense."

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Andover Trailers Ltd
DAF Trucks Ltd

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