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When it comes to transporting heavy loads, you need a special kind of trailer – one that’s strong enough to carry the weight of your machinery, with the stability and power to get it from A to B on time.

Luckily, as a leading transport company in the UK, we have an extensive fleet of haulage vehicles at our disposal, here at JB Rawcliffe – including low loader trailers.

What is a low loader?

A low loader is a type of flatbed trailer, specifically designed to carry industrial goods and heavy pieces of equipment safely and efficiently.

It has two drops in deck height that allow it to be much lower to the ground than other trailers.

This not only makes it easier to load equipment (including taller machine and wider objects), but it also lowers the centre of gravity for the goods in transit, ensuring safe transportation from start to finish.

A low loader trailer attaches directly to a prime mover, offering a robust transport solution for even the largest of machines.

 

Why should you consider a low loader trailer for your haulage?

Though they are often a staple for construction projects, low loaders are widely used among different industries – thanks to their functionality and cost-efficiency for hauling major resources.

Low loaders have adjustable height settings, which makes life easier for you when loading large and heavy cargo.

They can legally bear more weight than others and, as a result of their low height, they are perfect for transporting abnormal loads that cannot be split into separate deliveries.

Something else worth noting about these vehicles within our fleet is that they are incredibly flexible. They are straightforward to manoeuvre around sites and the trailer itself can be extended or lowered to allow for taller goods.

Due to their height, they are usually less affected by strong winds, too – ensuring maximum safety and security for the goods being transported.

As the loading process is much easier, the need for manual labour (and the risk of workers injuring themselves) is significantly reduced.

 

How do you hire a low loader?

Hiring a low loader for heavy haulage couldn’t be simpler than it is, here at JB Rawcliffe.

Our experts have vast experience in the haulage industry and have had the privilege of working with clients from various sectors for more than 45 years.

Before we determine the most suitable haulage vehicle for your project, we’ll need to know a little more about the goods you need to transport and the driving conditions.

Armed with a basic understanding of the task at hand, we will advise you on the best low loader for the job – ensuring maximum safety for the load being delivered and potentially shortening lead times.

To get the ball rolling, be sure to give us a call on 01695 737 880. Or, if you prefer, drop us an email at enquiries@jbrawcliffe.com, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

A strand jack is a type of linear winch that’s used to pull heavy loads from above – offering a compact and precise solution for heavy lifting and lowering operations.

Unlike regular jacks that push the load up, strand jacks have a bundle of steel cables (otherwise known as strands) that are guided through a hydraulic cylinder and pulled up.

These systems have two clamps: one at the bottom which is fixed, and another at the top which is connected to the cylinder and moves up and down.

Both clamps have wedges that grip the strand. The lifting or lowering motion is achieved by the cylinder extending and retracting while the wedges lock onto each strand in turn.

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at strand jacks and their uses – including the different industries they can be employed and the benefits they bring.

 

What are strand jacks used for?

Strand jack systems are widely used in heavy construction and engineering industries – particularly for bridges, ports and large-scale plant maintenance projects.

The hydraulic cylinders and strands allow heavy loads to be lifted to the required height, but objects and structures can also be pulled (skidded) into a certain position.

Although a strand jack can be used to lift, handle and lower heavy machinery and equipment within construction and engineering, they can also be used in the oil and gas industry.

Multiple strand jacks can be operated simultaneously by hydraulic controllers at oil rigs, and they can be used in tandem to lift heavy offshore platforms from or onto barges.

 

Why are strand jack systems used?

Strand jacks offer several advantages that make them useful for the aforementioned industries – one of their main ones being that they have a small footprint. This makes them ideal if there is a lack of space on the construction or assembly site for a conventional crane.

Despite their compact size, strand jack systems can still lift and lower machinery and equipment with excellent precision – ensuring they are transferred safely and efficiently.

These systems frequently provide a viable alternative for lifting loads that are not suitable to be jacked from beneath. They offer an economic and controlled solution for lifting, turning, transferring and lowering cumbersome loads.

As opposed to cranes that normally use a single-strand hoist with pulleys to lift the load, strand jack systems use multiple strands to lift the load – making it much safer.

What’s more, strand jacks can be conveniently operated by a single operator using a computer or controller in a central location. And they operate at various speeds, helping to enhance productivity and efficiency on site.

 

Find out more today and talk to JB Rawcliffe

Here at JB Rawcliffe, we pride ourselves on supplying the most reliable lifting equipment for all projects – no matter how big or small they may be – and that includes our strand jack systems.

We have been providing our dependable jacks for more than 45 years and are confident we can make it easier for you to transfer heavy or difficult loads quickly and safely.

We provide some of the most competitive prices, too – allowing you to benefit from our excellent systems and expertise without breaking the bank.

If you’re debating whether to hire a strand jack for your next project or you’ve got a question about our systems, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Either give us a call on 01695 737 880 or drop us an email at enquiries@jbrawcliffe.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Do you need to lift and transport goods in remote locations?

Might we suggest tracked HIAB crane hire?

A tracked HIAB is equipped with a hydraulic lorry loader and loading bed, which makes it perfect for lifting cargo in rough terrain. This specialist HIAB makes light work of the most challenging lifting operations – reaching heights that other vehicles simply cannot.

Below, we look at some of the ways you can benefit from hiring a tracked HIAB crane and why you should hire one from JB Rawcliffe & Sons.

 

·         A tracked HIAB crane can lift and move loads with ease

With its powerful hydraulic crane, a tracked HIAB is an incredibly hardworking machine that can be used to effortlessly haul goods of all shapes and sizes in difficult-to-reach areas.

The control system allows for precise positioning and operation – even in adverse terrain conditions – ensuring maximum safety and efficiency on-site.

 

·         Tracked HIAB crane hire is convenient

Combining the ability to load and unload heavy goods, and transport them to their final destination, a tracked machine with a mounted crane offers a cost-effective alternative to a standard crane.

Facilitating rapid set-up and excellent manoeuvrability – and with no prep work required on-site – lifting operations can be started (and completed) in less time, too.

 

·         Tracked HIABs enhance safety

Operating any sort of machinery when the ground is soft and wet underfoot can be risky – both for the operators and the goods in transit. But thanks to their brilliant stability and traction, tracked machines mounted with cranes can navigate even the harshest of conditions.

For example, a tracked Morooka-type HIAB like the ones we provide at JB Rawcliffe can carefully transport and lift loads to otherwise inaccessible locations. And as part of our tracked HIAB crane hire service, we’ll execute the logistics – making sure that the machinery is loaded and offloaded correctly, and that deliveries run as smoothly as possible.

 

·         Tracked HIAB crane hire can be tailored to your requirements

Do you need to lift and move construction materials, heavy machinery or other cumbersome items?

The tracked HIAB is designed to handle various weights and sizes – making it suitable for a wide range of industries. Including agriculture, construction, energy and telecommunications, to name just a few.

Whatever your reasons for needing to hire a HIAB crane, and for however long you need it to be kept on your site, a reputable transport company like ourselves will offer a flexible solution.

 

Ready to take advantage of tracked HIAB crane hire?

Here at JB Rawcliffe, we’re dedicated to providing our customers with the highest level of service and support. This is why our experts are always on hand to guide and advise you when hiring specialist equipment, like tracked HIAB cranes.

We’ll work closely with you and your team to ensure that your lifting and transportation needs are met – no matter how big or small the task may be. We can also assure you that you’ll receive a professional yet competitive service.

To get the ball rolling and benefit from tracked HIAB crane hire, be sure to give us a call on 01695 737 880 and request a free, no-obligation quote.

Abnormal load movement is required to transport large objects like wind turbines to their destination. The movement of this freight is known as ‘heavy haulage’.

Heavy haulage is a more complex process than simply transporting something from A to B.

It requires a lot of planning, specialist equipment and expert drivers with experience and knowledge of safe heavy lifting.

In this blog, we’ll explore heavy haulage, the lifting services haulage firms offer and how this benefits the industries using them.

 

What is heavy haulage?

Heavy haulage refers to the movement of abnormal or oversized loads which can’t be dismantled and transported using standard logistics and distribution.

It requires the use of a specialist heavy haulage firm that can plan the transport of these heavy loads around the UK, and abroad.

Unlike regular haulage, which is simply the transport of structures from one place to another, heavy haulage requires more planning (including pre-planning the safest driving routes and organising escort vehicles) to ensure freight arrives safely.

 

What services do heavy haulage companies offer?

Although heavy haulage typically refers to the transport of abnormal loads, most heavy haulage companies also provide other logistical services too.

They include:

Abnormal load haulage

Transporting heavy and wide loads requires more preparation and expert transit methods to move the freight safely.

Experienced and established haulage firms plan the best route, arrange a private escort to protect the heavy freight and create a lift and loading strategy.

Machine operating systems, cargo handling and haulage

Awkward, heavy loads such as storage containers and excavators need lifting by specially designed haulage machinery.

For example, sophisticated vehicles such as mobile cranes and hydraulic gantry lifts are used by haulage companies to load cargo onto lorries, trailers, and trucks.

Trained operators will control the machinery and plan and navigate the whole lift to avoid damage.

Jacking

In areas with limited space, a crane may not be viable. Instead, heavy haulage firms will plan an alternative loading method, such as jacking.

Jacking systems use hydraulic jacks to raise the freight vertically from the ground onto a skid track, which skates the load horizontally onto the truck or trailer.

Heavy goods storage

Established haulage companies offer storage at their facility to keep bulky, awkward loads until the client can collect them.

A business may require storage to house large structures whilst moving between sits or after salvage recovery.

Vehicle salvage recovery

Accidents happen, and even the most accurately planned logistics can go wrong.

Events out of our control, such as unsighted debris, may cause haulage vehicles to lose control and cargo to fall.

The most credible heavy haulage firms provide an accident salvage and recovery service to recover loads as safely and promptly as possible.

Hauling companies have specialist lifting equipment and the knowledge to raise fallen cargo from the ground and onto a recovery vehicle whilst preventing further damage.

 

Industries that use heavy haulage services

Professional heavy lifting services and logistics are used across multiple sectors. These industries include:

Wind energy sector

Due to environmental commitments made by the government to create more sustainable energy, the wind energy industry is growing across the UK.

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) found that global wind power projects have “quadrupled in size over the last ten years”.

Only heavy-duty lifting machinery operated by haulage firms can lift and carry heavy turbine parts to their rural destinations.

An experienced company will select the vehicle most capable of safely manoeuvring across unstable off-road hillsides, grass, sand and cliffsides.

Shipyards and ports

Abnormal loads, such as iron shipping containers are raised and loaded at ports.

Other weighty objects like ships and yachts need to be lowered and raised into docks at shipyards.

Experts in haulage have the know-how and specialist equipment to plan and execute these lifts accurately, reducing the risks of accidents.

Civil engineering and construction

Construction firms rely greatly on specialist machinery and transport provided by haulage companies.

Trusted heavy haulage firms support building projects by transporting heavy materials or machinery like forklifts and excavators.

Aviation

The Aerospace Industries Association concluded that in 2020, the aviation market reached $298 billion in value, a trend that continues to rise at a rate of 7.7%.

As the aerospace market grows in value and expands rapidly, plane manufacturing has increased.

Heavy aircraft cabins and engines are transported across the UK by haulage firms who plan the transit thoroughly.

Agricultural sector

Combine harvesters and slurry tanks are large and delicate objects that require a heavy haulage team to transport them.

Heavy haulage firms have the experience and machinery to do this safely without interfering with routine farming.

 

Hire a reputable heavy haulage firm

Lifting and loading fragile abnormal loads should only be planned and executed by experienced professionals with specialist knowledge and machinery.

Abnormal load handling and logistics is a delicate operation that can result in accidents and damage to freight if not planned thoroughly.

To avoid destruction to loads, only engage the services of a reputable firm with plenty of years of experience.

 

Contact JB Rawcliffe, trusted experts in heavy haulage

We have over thirty years of experience handling and transporting heavy loads, so you can be sure your freight is in safe hands with JB Rawcliffe.

To get in touch or request a free quote, call us on 01695 737880 or fill in our online contact form