When it comes to transporting heavy loads, there are various vehicle options to choose from, each designed to meet specific requirements. This wide range of choices can make selecting the right one feel like a slightly daunting task, especially if you're unfamiliar with the technical differences. At Macsalvors Plant Hire, we have a great deal of experience in helping our customers navigate these options to find the perfect vehicle for their transportation needs.
In this guide, we will walk you through two popular lorries: low-loader trucks and articulated lorries. We will explore each of these options in detail, their key advantages and disadvantages, and how to determine which is most suited to your needs. Whether you’re handling construction equipment, industrial machinery or other large loads, this guide will help you make an informed decision.
Low-Loader Trucks
A low-loader lorry, also known as a low-bed trailer, is a type of trailer that is attached to a prime mover to transport heavy loads. Low-loader vehicles are named as such for their distinctive design, featuring two drops in deck height. This unique structure allows the deck to sit much lower than most other trailers and can be adjusted to enable loads to be positioned close to the ground. Their design makes them ideal for transporting tall or heavy machinery with ease and stability.
Common Uses
Low-loader lorries may be hired across a number of industries, including construction, mining, agriculture and energy. Their flatbed makes them ideal for transporting industrial equipment and plant machinery, such as bulldozers, excavators and cranes, or similar cargo, ensuring essential equipment can reach their site.
Advantages
● Height Capacity - The combination of the trailer not having sides or a roof and its low deck height gives low-loader lorries impressive overhead clearance. This enables these trucks to transport a wide range of tall equipment without problems.
● Weight Capacity - The weight capacity varies between low loaders depending on their model, configuration and number of axels. Certain models have a weight limit of 18 tonnes, whilst heavy-duty loaders can carry over 100 tonnes. This makes it easy to select the right vehicle by choosing the one that corresponds to your load's maximum weight.
● Reduced Manual Labour: The hydraulic ramp system makes it quicker and easier to load and unload equipment, enhancing efficiency and improving worker safety by reducing the risk of manual handling-related accidents.
● Stability - Their low height gives the vehicle a lower centre of gravity, helping to keep goods and equipment secure and less susceptible to movement that may cause damage, ensuring loads arrive in prime condition.
● Versatility - Low-loader lorries can be adapted to accommodate a wide range of cargo sizes, heights and weights, making them suitable for transporting a wide range of cargo.
Disadvantages
● Weather Protection - Like flatbed trailers, low loaders don’t have sides or a roof, meaning that shipments are exposed to the elements. Cargo may need to be covered for protection against adverse weather conditions.
Articulated Lorries
An articulated lorry, sometimes called an ‘artic’, is a type of vehicle that is known for having two parts: a tractor unit and a trailer. Despite being classed as lorries, artics are often considered semi-trailers, as the load is separate from the vehicle. The tractor and trailer are connected by a pivot joint, which enables the trailer to move independently from the tractor. In the UK, these lorries have a maximum length of 16.5 metres and a maximum weight limit of 44 tonnes.
Common Uses
Articulated lorries can be used for a variety of applications, including transporting goods, materials and products locally and internationally. Artics are commonly used for delivering consumer goods, which can be anything from clothing and toys to dry and non-perishable foods. They are also commonly used in the construction industry to haul heavy materials, such as gravel, sand and concrete, to building sites.
Advantages
● Cost Savings - Articulated lorries are able to carry heavy loads without the need for additional vehicles, resulting in lower fuel consumption and significant cost savings. They also have relatively low maintenance costs, leading to lower operating costs in the long term and avoiding the need for frequent replacements.
● Manoeuvrability - The pivot joint which attaches the trailer to the tractor makes the vehicle more manoeuvrable than other HGVs and LGVs. This helps ensure the vehicle can navigate difficult terrain and reach its destination reliably.
● Safety - Articulated trucks are designed with safety at their core. They are equipped with many safety features, including traction and stability control, to reduce the risk of accidents. Additional measures such as collision avoidance systems and rearview cameras can further enhance safety for drivers and other road users.
● Enhanced Sea Crossings - Artics are well-suited to sea crossings, as the load can be detached from the tractor for transit on the ship. Once it has reached the port, the trailer can be attached to another vehicle to continue its journey, making it an efficient and cost-effective solution for international haulage.
Disadvantages
● Licensing Requirements - As one of the larger HGV and LGV, articulated lorries have higher licensing and insurance requirements than smaller vehicles. If you plan on transporting a smaller load, the additional costs may not be worthwhile.
Which Vehicle Should I Hire?
Because there are many similarities between these two transportation vehicles, it can be difficult to determine whether you require low-loader or artic lorry hire. Below, we will walk you through the key considerations to make when choosing a transportation vehicle for your needs.
Load Size and Type
When deciding between a low-loader lorry and an articulated lorry, the first thing a business should consider is the size and type of load they wish to transport. Low-loader lorries are well-suited to transporting large or heavy machinery, as their low deck height supports taller loads without exceeding height restrictions.
On the other hand, articulated lorries have standard trailers with confined walls and a roof. This makes them better suited for carrying large volumes of goods, such as retail products, pallets or construction materials.
Consider whether the cargo has specialised loading requirements or needs careful weight distribution. Low-loader trucks have additional features, such as ramps and reinforced structures, that are designed to handle particularly large or heavy loads.
Route and Distance
The route and distance a vehicle will travel can also influence your vehicle choice. By choosing a vehicle that is suitable for your journey, you can maximise efficiency and minimise disruptions. Think about the length and areas you need to make journeys in.
Articulated lorries offer impressive efficiency over long distances across motorways and internationally, where fuel economy and speed matter. Conversely, low-loader lorries perform better on shorter but more complex routes, especially where manoeuvrability is required to navigate challenging terrain.
Businesses should consider whether they will need to pass through urban or rural landscapes. Low-loader trucks are often easier to navigate through tight spaces, while articulated lorries require a generous turning radius.
Loading and Unloading Requirements
The delivery environment plays a key role in selecting the right vehicle. Articulated lorries work well for standardised delivery points, like warehouses or distribution centres, where there are dedicated loading docks to accommodate their trailer height.
Low-loader lorries, however, are more adaptable. These vehicles are ideal for environments where precise loading and unloading is needed, such as construction sites or areas with uneven surfaces. Their design features, including ramps and adjustable deck heights, facilitate the loading and unloading of heavy, irregular items in any location.
Low loader and Artic Lorry Hire at Macsalvors Plant Hire
At Macsalvors, we offer reliable heavy haulage services, including artic lorry hire, across the UK. Our well-maintained fleet of modern vehicles includes low loaders, HIABs and artics. Whether you need assistance transporting cranes, industrial equipment or construction materials, we have the right transportation solution for your requirements.
To learn more about our low loader and artic lorry hire, get in touch with Macsalvors Plant Hire today. Our helpful team is on hand to answer any questions you may have about our transportation fleet and its capabilities.
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