Hanson UK has tested an articulate cement mixer to reduce the number of deliveries and rigid cement mixer trucks on the road. The test is being used to gather evidence to support a fleet-wide shift to truck and trailer operations, which it believes will cut cost and environmental impact.
Hanson UK is testing the Muldoon trailer and McPhee mixer based on those used in Australia. The articulated unit has rear-wheel steering and is pulled by a DAF CF 440 FTG 6×2 mid-lift tractor unit.
Hanson said the combination has been succeeded in reducing its traffic movements, boosting delivery volumes and reducing the number of the company’s rigid mixer vehicles on the road.
Hanson Regional Transport Manager, Tim Sage, said, “The truck / trailer combination has been a resounding success on sites across the UK – our operations team all responding with positive feedback – there’s certainly the potential for more units to come into service.”
“The DAF and Muldoon-McPhee set-up utilises the Euro-6 engine’s Power Take Off (PTO) to power the drum rather than a separate donkey engine, thereby cutting emissions and noise as well as improving payload, thus maximising environmental benefits.”
The combination has already conducted in-service operations in London, Manchester, Leicester and Burton-on-Trent.
