Finding a used beavertail truck for sale in the UK is straightforward. These pages are full of the specialist trucks, designed mainly for the transportation of plant equipment, such as access platforms or excavators, for example. The rear of the flatbed body drops at an angle towards the floor. Adding a set of ramps to the rear of the angled body means that an acceptable loading angle can be achieved for the wheeled plant that subsequently can be towed onto the back of the truck using the truck’s built in winch. For heavier items of plant the transport company would more likely use a tractor unit and low-loader semi-trailer. The ramps can be simply stored on the body by being slid along and strapped down when not in use, or may be stored under the body and can be slid out.
The ramps may be folded upright to for a back to the body or use a ‘cheesewedge’ design, which has the ramps folding down to create a flat floor, meaning that this space can be used as a loading area (assuming the items can be loaded by hand or a crane).
There will usually be ramps attached to the bottom of the angled beavertail that can be extended to reach the floor. This means that anything with wheels can be winched onto the body (assuming the truck and winch are capable of handling the weight). Typically this will be items of plant machinery or vehicles.
Beavertail bodies are fitted to commercial vehicles from 3.5 tonne GVW (Transit sized) and will go right up the weight range to a 32-tonne GVW 8×2 rigid truck with a gross vehicle weight of 32 tonnes. The most common beavertail trucks are on the 18 and 26 tonne categories with bodies up to 30 feet long.
Bevan Group, PPS Commercials
As the back of the truck body dips down towards the road it is reminiscent of the appearance of a flat beaver’s tail angled down
Which Size Beavertail Truck?
Beavertails start from just 3.5 tonnes GVW – these are usually used for car recovery, but also can be used from small micro diggers or similar types of plant equipment.
There are plenty of 7.5 tonne plant lorries with beavertail bodies – these will be carrying the mini digger-sized items of plant, as well as cars where required. Unless the 7.5 tonner is towing a trailer (which they often do) there is likely to be only one machine loaded on the truck.
Moving up to 18 tonnes, the largest two axle 4×2 truck format, these are the bread and butter of the beavertail truck. Capable of carrying a number of small machines or can now carry a typical backhoe loader like a JCB 3CX.
For extra piece of mind and the ability to carry more equipment, many operators will opt for a 6×2 three axle truck running at 26 tonnes GVW with a rear lift axle. This additional payload available means that the truck can run a longer body and carry more equipment.
Many beavertail trucks are required to move static machines that can’t be dragged up the ramps. A specialist 8×2 truck will usually perform this role admirably. The extra axle, usually just behind the cab, will look after the extra weight that a substantial truck-mounted crane would bring.
Don’t forget that a low loader semi-trailer is usually a beavertail -type of body and can gross out at 44 tonnes with a tri-axle version and 6×2 tractor unit.
FTH Hire Group has commended MV Commercial’s bespoke livery service and quick vehicle turnaround times, after taking delivery of a refurbished DAF LF230 and four new DAF CF480 rigid trucks, all mounted with beavertail plant bodies. Delivering the vehicles in less than two months, MV Commercial used its in-house expertise to ensure the specification of the trucks matched FTH Hire’s requirements, alongside providing a customised livery finish for the business. James Carr, Transport Manager at FTH Hire Group, says: “We are very impressed with the support we’ve received from the MV Commercial team, from the quality of the vehicles and…
The second 8x2 rigid with a crane on the front cover, two weeks in a row. This beauty is advertised by MV Commercials (see their advertisement on the outside back cover). The truck is ready to go and is a Volvo FH460 with a hydraulic beavertail with a PM38524 crane fitted to the front of the body. This can be used in combination with a drawbar trailer, as it comes with a VGB coupling at the rear. Both front axles are rated at 9 tonnes. The crane capacity is a short Lift of 7250kg at 4.35m / 15985lb at 14'3"…
Bickfords have a top spec 65 reg, 8x2 rear steer DAF CF480 with Palfinger PK48002EH crane with five extensions and remote operation. It comes with a winch and a Sterling plant body with load flat bed (cheese wedge ramps) and just 280,000 kms on the tacho. You can see plenty of similar trucks from their stock on pages 16-17. Check out the outside back cover for further examples of top-spec plant trucks with cranes from MV Commercial. Click Image to Read Click to Read Page Turn Magazine Click Image to Read Use the form at the bottom of the page…
Murphy has taken delivery of the first of six new plant bodies and four drawbar trailers from Andover Trailers, citing the versatile loading options and build quality as key factors in placing the order. All six bespoke-built, low-profile plant bodies are mounted to new 32-tonne 8×2 Mercedes Arocs chassis, with four featuring a front-mounted PK63002E Palfinger crane. Each of the four tri-axle heavy duty drawbar trailers offers a range of innovative loading solutions and will help to significantly increase payload capacity. Mark Olden, Logistics Manager at Murphy says: “Andover Trailers listened to our requirements and provided high-spec solutions to deliver…
Who wouldn't want to own one of these? A proper exhibition unit fitted on a 2015 DAF LF150 Euro 6. It's come directly from the MoD, so it's been well looked after plus it's only covered 28,307 kilometres! It has its own terrace area and 240 volt generator. This must be suitable for hundreds of uses. If you are looking for something like this it must be the one. Click Image to Read Click to Read Page Turn Magazine Click Image to Read Use the form at the bottom of the page to add your email address to be advised…
