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Tips for Keeping Your Plant Hire Equipment Safe from Theft and Vandalism

Plant hire equipment is expensive, and as well as being sought after by thieves, it can also be subject to vandalism.  Mischief makers think they may know how to operate heavy machinery, and whether they mean to or not, can often damage equipment with repair costs running into thousands of pounds.  The correct safety and security measures should be taken if your hired equipment is to stay safely out of harm’s way.

Because the type of equipment you are hiring can differ in size and value, it is vital to consider your storage options beforehand.  You might have to store your plant hire equipment in an exposed or outdoor location, and damage caused to it through misuse or vandalism could disrupt your project schedule.  Your job could be set back for days on end, costing you money, not to mention the inconvenience!

We have compiled some simple tips to help keep your Plant Hire Equipment protected for the duration of the hire term.

  1. Location, location, location

Make your equipment as difficult as possible to access.  It’s not always practical to keep it out of sight, but if you have site cabins or buildings, these can be an excellent shield to the prying eyes of opportunist thieves or vandals.  If any would-be culprits do enter your site, they’ll have to increase their efforts to move your equipment if it is stored behind materials or other paraphernalia.

  • Take extra security measures

Make arrangements to review your security. The more measures taken, the less likely thieves and vandals will try to enter your site.  Lighting and cameras are relatively inexpensive these days, and if you choose the motion detection kind, they’ll be cheap to operate too.  Be over cautious with your lighting – opportunists rarely take chances in daylight, so make the night-time hours as bright as possible.

  • Fence it

Keeping intruders off your site is imperative if you’re to protect your equipment and other assets.  Good quality fencing will be the first barrier any would-be vandal will encounter, and it may just deter them from trying to enter any further.  You may only have scope for temporary fencing, but that coupled with other security measure should make any trouble makers think it’s not worth the risk.  Temporary fencing could also be installed and locked around any equipment that’s particularly vulnerable to thieves or vandals.

  • Don’t fuel their attempts!

Try not to leave any fuel operated machinery with full tanks.  It’s frustrating enough to lose machinery to either theft or vandalism, but to lose costly fuel too only adds to the bill!  You could use security signs to say that fuel is regularly removed and that none is left on site, to deter thieves further.

  • Track it

If you’re concerned about theft of equipment, then a GPS tracker could put your mind at rest. 

Magnetic GPS trackers are tiny pieces of equipment and are really affordable.  In the event that any of your equipment is stolen, you’ll be able to track it remotely.

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Haulage Safety Technology and its Benefits

Haulage is a massive part of our transportation system and with so much traffic on our roads, it’s no wonder that there are so many accidents.  The total number rises year on year, every year.  Statistically, accidents with HGVs are far less common than with cars or bikes, but due to their sheer size and weight, HGV accidents are more likely to be fatal.  A lorry travelling at 50mph could rip through a building, so occupants of a car, van or other vehicle stand very little chance of survival in the event of a collision with an HGV.

Fortunately, even though the number of accidents keeps rising, so do safety standards, making HGV driving safer than ever before.  Technology has progressed at such a pace, that it can now be matched to virtually anything, from microchips being manufactured that are practically invisible, to huge supercomputers capable of performing quadrillions of calculations per second.

For the humble HGV, technology has been developed to help with day to day safety, to protect both the driver and general public.  These safety measures won’t stop fatalities, but there could be a great reduction in the road traffic accidents that HGVs are involved in, therefore reducing the number of HGV accident related deaths.

One such technology is the Lane Departure Warning System; a mechanism designed to keep the vehicle traveling in lane and preventing ‘drifting’.  Using cameras and sensors the device monitors the vehicle’s position on the road and will alert the driver if it goes off course suddenly.

Another is GPS monitoring which allows haulage companies to check the driver and their driving performance throughout the journey of the vehicle.  Careless driving is also detected!

As with some cars, HGVs can be fitted with an Automatic Braking System.  This will automatically activate the vehicle’s braking system when necessary, using crash avoidance technologies such as sensors, cameras and radar.

Here at Eynesbury Plant Hire, the safety of our staff, drivers and the general public is paramount.  You can find out more about us and the haulage services that we offer here.

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Important factors that an HGV driver must consider

Everyone’s busy.  We’re all trying to get from A to B as quickly and safely as possible. But have you ever considered the extra care that HGV drivers have to take in order for their loads to reach their destinations in one piece?

Here at Eynesbury Plant Hire we provide road haulage container contractor services, which means that a lot of our lorries are on UK roads every single day.  Although our drivers are trained to drive these heavy goods vehicles (which are up to ten times the size of an average car), with traffic on our roads constantly increasing, there are far more hazards than ever before.

With accidents involving HGVs being amongst the more serious due to the sheer size and weight of the vehicles, HGV drivers need to be far more vigilant than the average car driver.  Here’s why:

Parking

Small car drivers can park relatively easily just about anywhere.  Some won’t think about how much remaining space is required for a lorry to pass through safely.  For an HGV driver parked cars are one of the biggest obstructions when it comes to reaching their destination safely.  Cars parked near to, or opposite junctions are dangerous, as a lorry’s turning circle can be seriously compromised.

Distance

Keeping a safe distance is vitally important for an HGV driver.  Due to the size and weight of the vehicle, stopping distances are hugely increased in comparison to a car.  Likewise, cars should keep a safe distance from lorries, as the length of the vehicle can make it very difficult for the driver to see any vehicles travelling behind them, even with the use of mirrors.

Timing

HGV drivers have targets to meet. They have to get their loads to their destinations on time the same as you have to get to work on time.  You’ll rarely see an HGV breaking any speed limits, but it doesn’t mean that they aren’t eager to get to where they need to be.  It just means that they’re taking every care to get there safely, to get their load there undamaged, and to make sure that you, the other drivers, aren’t in any danger from them on their journey.

Consideration

Any person that drives an HGV is under strict rules to take a break after every 4.5 hours of driving.  This means they have to find safe places to stop, which can sometimes be difficult on single carriage roads.  This is why you’ll often see huge lorries parked up on roadside laybys. It’s not that they’re time wasting; they’re required by law to take regular scheduled breaks.  General consideration to and from other road users is part of an HGV driver’s training. Signalling of manoeuvres, safe driving distances and overall awareness of the road conditions will help to keep everyone safe!

If you would like to find out more about our Haulage Service, follow this link.

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A Brief History of Haulage

It’s hard to imagine a time before there were HGVs on our roads, but the haulage industry has changed dramatically in the last 100 years or so.  When you look up and down your local high street at some of the old buildings, many of them would have had their bricks and mortar brought in by barrows and horse drawn carts.  Since then, the industry has become one of the biggest across the world, driven by technology and the economy.  Everything that we buy here in the UK is transported at some point by a UK registered lorry.

So where did it all start?

Steam power

The railways provided transport for large amounts of heavy, voluminous items, which could be moved great distances with relative ease.  At last people, as well as goods were able to travel further by the power of the steam train.

The combustion Engine

In the late 1800s the first combustion engine was patented, prompting companies to produce their own vehicles powered by this new innovation, including trucks.  As the amount of traffic on the roads increased, so did the quality of the road surfaces themselves – tarmac was first used after its invention in 1901. Pneumatic, or air filled tyres came into use after WW1.

Between the wars

UK haulage grew 300% by the early 1920s. With economic growth, the UKs demand for goods meant that more lorries were needed to transport these goods from factories and ports.  The Road Haulage Association was formed in the early 1930s.

Post War

Freight was increasingly transported by road after the war, as the railways struggled to keep up with demand due to a decaying infrastructure and a reliance on steam.  A new network of roads allowed increased vehicle size and reduced journey time.

The 60s and 70s

By 1960 there were well over half a million lorries on UK roads. The ‘Golden Age of Road Transport’ continued!  As mass manufacturing, and an increase in cheap imports grew, so did the need for a more fluid logistics industry.  As this new era drove innovation, lorries continued to change. By the mid-60s the maximum permitted weight for an articulated lorry rose from 24 tons to 32 tons. In 1968 the length limit was raised to 49 feet!  In-vehicle accommodation improved allowing lorry drivers to spend weeks away from home.

The 80s and 90s

The early 80s saw the number of five-axle articulated vehicles grow rapidly, whilst in 1989 a directive issued by the European Community increased the maximum permissible weight of certain vehicles, provided they were fitted with ‘road-friendly suspension’. Changes to the industry continued to change into the 90s with more self-employed owner-drivers. Typically the average owner-driver would own one or two HGVs and sign on to a haulage firm as an independent contractor. Safety was improving with the introduction of speed limiters.

Today

The road transport industry has remained relatively stable, although LGV traffic has grown whilst HGV vehicles have reduced.  This could be because of the growth in the parcel delivery industry, and many people living in areas where it’s more difficult for lorries to get to.

What is true, is that haulage is the UKs fifth largest employment sector.  We think it’s here to stay!

You can find more information about our haulage services here.

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Choosing the best plant hire and haulage

Our customers require Eynesbury Plant Hire to give them service above and beyond what is considered normal by other companies. They have a zero tolerance policy for failure and of course, often we are called on to work in all weathers at very unsociable hours!

Obviously, it is very important for the customer to source a company that supplies a broad range of equipment so that they are more likely to find the best piece of plant machinery to fit their exact job. You might be staging an outdoor event and require excavators and rollers to prepare an area of ground to erect a stage. Always take professional advice from the hire company as they may be able to suggest an alternative to your initial idea.

Other factors to influence the choice of company should be how long has the company been established. Eynesbury Plant Hire have been established since 1966 and have a client base that stretches back nearly as far! Of course, being established for that long has allowed us to building up a wide range of plant hire services, haulage, 4 x 4 towing, plant hire and road sweepers to suit the client’s needs. As all our plant hire services are well maintained, it is unlikely that you will be supplied with a piece of kit that will break down in use.

Our plant hire services fleet is constantly updated to provide the latest in all plant hire equipment. Our team of professionals will talk you through each assignment by offering useful and knowledgeable advice. We aim to partner with you to help you succeed. Every one of our operators are competent and experienced and hold current CPCS cards, and we are CHAS accredited as you would expect.

Our up-to-date and well maintained plant hire is delivered and collected by our own haulage service at your convenience. Once delivered to your chosen site, you can use our CPCS accredited operator, or you can use the plant hire on a self drive basis. We hold full service histories and annual safety check documentation for our entire fleet. Pre and post hire checklists are completed for all plant hire services machinery.

Eynesbury Plant Hire haulage services with its range of vehicles delivers and collects plant to suit our customers’ requirements and we also provide an extensive haulage service to the construction industry, moving plant, site equipment and building materials between construction sites on your behalf. Your transportation needs will be met and you will be assured of the best possible service delivered by our professional, experienced staff. We are able to provide ADR holders when required. We also provide a haulage service for palletised and large non palletised items, including plant, machinery and equipment at competitive rates.

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Road Sweepers – making the best choice

Eynesbury Plant Hire have a modern fleet of VT650 Lorry Mounted Road Sweepers which provide consistently high pick up performance on duties including dirt pick up around site and cleaning access roads. The road sweepers have high capacity hoppers, water systems and fuel tanks and are designed to stay at work for longer and deliver superb coverage per hour.

The VT650 Road Sweepers are fitted with the Supawash high pressure water system for fast cleaning of road furniture and the road sweeper itself, via a hose and hand lance. The spray bar and the sweepgear can be used together for high performance cleaning, particularly around building sites or on road laying. To assist with removal of stubborn road debris water can also be diverted to a front mounted full-width spray bar or suction nozzle bars. The road sweepers are fitted with a boom mounted wanderhose which provides access around parked cars, over fences and into drains (up to 2 metre depth).

Road Sweeping is an important part of city maintenance and it is usually the responsibility of the local council. Large trucks travel through the streets to remove garbage and debris, a crucial measure for safe driving, human health, watershed health, and aesthetics. The administering department of the council sets up a schedule to ensure that all of the commercial streets in the city are swept on a regular basis, and frequently also attends to residential districts as well. Street sweeping works to keep cities around the world healthier and cleaner.

Should you be are looking for a road sweeper hire company that is based in Cambridge, Eynesbury Plant Hire are experts – your road sweeping needs will be met and you will be assured of the best possible service delivered by our professional, experienced staff. Eynesbury Plant Hire are totally committed to outstanding service, quality and competitive pricing on contract haulage, express transport and distribution service.

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Plant and Digger Hire Bedfordshire

At Eynesbury Plant Hire, we deliver plant hire, haulage, road sweepers and diggers in Bedfordshire and beyond! We provide all customers with service that goes above and beyond. With over 50 years in the business, we can provide our expert advice and guide you on the best machinery and transportation for any job.

We have a wide range of plant and digger hire services to suit our client’s needs, all of our plant hire services are extremely well maintained with regular servicing. The last thing you want is equipment to fail you, that’s why we stick to strict processes to ensure all of our equipment and transportation is in brilliant working order. With our forever-growing customer base, we know how important it is to provide only the best. That’s why our plant hire fleet is constantly updated!

All Eynesbury Plant Hire operators are competent and experienced with current CPCS cards, we are also CHAS accredited. We deliver our plant and digger hire service to your specified destination, and once delivered you can choose to either use one of our CPCS accredited operators, or alternatively, you can use our plant hire on a self-drive basis.

With an impressive range of hire services, we can help with the transportation of particularly heavy and large objects in and around Bedfordshire such as static homes, construction materials and trees.

We always carry out pre and post checks to ensure our equipment stays in excellent shape and is ready for our next hire client. Full service histories and annual safety check documentation is available for our entire fleet.

For outstanding customer service and reliable plant and digger hire, look no further! For more information regarding hire, or a quote, contact our office near Bedfordshire on 01480 215555 where the team will be happy to assist.

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Plant, Hiab, Digger and Road Sweeper Hire Cambridgeshire

Are you looking for reliable plant, Hiab, digger and road sweeper hire in the Cambridgeshire area? With over 50 years in the plant hire business, we can help with all of your transportation and machinery needs! We pride ourselves on offering superior customer service, we’re always on hand to help and advise you to ensure a smooth hire process. If you’re unsure on the scale of equipment you require, our expert team are always happy to help.

Every member of our Cambridgeshire based team are experienced with current CPCS cards, we are also CHAS accredited! You can enjoy peace of mind that you’re in capable hands with extensive experience working on a high number of large-scale projects. We can help with providing Hiab lorries, diggers and road sweepers for your project. We’ve built up an extensive range of modern equipment, all of which is kept in excellent working order.

All of our plant hire services are regularly maintained, updated and serviced to ensure we provide our customers with only the best! We understand how important it is that your transportation and machinery is reliable. We will deliver our plant hire services to your specified destination, you can choose to either use one of our CPCS accredited operators, or alternatively, you can use our plant hire on a self-drive basis.

We currently offer both 48-ton and 62-ton Hiab rental. If you’re not sure which is best for your requirements, just get in touch and we can direct you to the best solution.

Our impressive fleet of road sweepers provide consistently high pick up performance including dirt pick up around site and cleaning access roads. Our sweepers are designed for high productivity.

Need a digger asap? We have a number of excavators available, from 1.5-ton up to 14-ton for heavier duty works.

For a quote, or further information regarding our plant, Hiab, digger and road sweeper hire, contact our office in Cambridgeshire on 01480 215555 where the team will be happy to help you with your enquiry.

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Plant, Digger and Dumper Hire Hertfordshire

At Eynesbury Plant Hire, we regularly work with Hertfordshire based construction companies and individuals, providing reliable plant, digger and dumper hire. Established in 1966 we’ve built an impressive customer base, and boast extensive experience in providing plant hire for projects of all sizes! Our team can help you to choose the best equipment for the job, we’re always happy to listen to your requirements and assist in selecting the correct digger or dumper needed.

We know that it’s of utmost importance that your machinery and equipment is reliable and in excellent working order. We regularly maintain and service our entire fleet to ensure they’re up to date and meeting our high standards. We have a number of strict processes and always ensure that pre and post checks are carried out to make sure that our equipment remains in excellent shape. Full service histories and annual safety check documentation is available for our entire fleet.

Our fleet of dumpers includes forward tip, high tip and swivel trucks from 1 up to 9-ton. We offer quality, reliable dumper trucks with great fuel economy.

Need a digger in Hertfordshire? We have a range of different quality excavators available, from 1.5-ton up to 14-ton for heavier duty projects.

All of our operators here at Eynesbury Plant Hire are highly skilled and experienced with current CPCS cards, we are also CHAS accredited. We deliver our plant hire services directly to you, you can then choose to either use one of our qualified accredited operators, or alternatively, you can use our plant hire on a self-drive basis instead.

For further information regarding our plant, digger and dumper hire contact our office in Hertfordshire on 01480 215555 where the team will be happy to help you with your enquiry. We can guarantee a sensible quote and fantastic customer service.

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How to choose the correct haulage company

Choosing the right haulage company is as important as choosing the right employee for your company. Most people make the mistake of choosing a haulage company from the local Yellow Pages listings because they feel that an entry here makes the haulage company reputable. Of course reputation is important, but a paid for entry in a directory should not be how you choose your haulage company. One of the most important parts of the fulfillment process is efficient haulage. The inability of customers to receive their orders in a timely fashion will create havoc for those customers and cause a company to lose business and thus potential profits as the customers move on to conduct their business with your competitors.

Choosing the right company to handle your haulage requires time and dedication. It is not something you can rush through or you will certainly choose the wrong transport company for your customers’ needs. There are several factors that you need to look into before you make a final decision: reputation of the company and the individual driver, recommendations by other companies, and finally how the pricing compares to other shipping companies providing the same or similar services. Never automatically go with the lowest price; look at the other factors first and only choose the lowest paid haulage company from among those who can provide quality service and prompt delivery.

You must also research the haulage company that you are considering. Use Google to get reviews of the company that you are considering, ask friends or colleagues in the industry for advice. How quickly can they deliver the goods? Are your employees experienced? Can you provide the correct documentation to ensure everything is being dealt with correctly? Large fines can be given to you if freight companies have transported goods without the correct paperwork – these are all important questions to ask when investing in a suitable company.

If you are looking for a haulage company that is based in Cambridge, Eynesbury Plant Hire are haulage experts – your transportation needs will be met and you will be assured of the best possible service delivered by our professional, experienced staff. Eynesbury Plant Hire are totally committed to outstanding service, quality and competitive pricing on contract haulage, express transport and distribution service.

Eynesbury Plant Hire have a sizeable fleet of modern vehicles and are well placed to offer clients a high quality cost-effective and expanding contract haulage service. We are able to provide ADR holders if and when required. All of vehicles and trailers are well maintained and up-to-date, meaning that Eynesbury Plant Hire are able to move an extensive range of plant, machinery and other equipment.

We specialise in supplying transport solutions for the construction industry, moving materials, machinery and equipment between sites as and when required. We also provide a haulage service for palletised and large non palletised items, including plant, machinery and equipment at competitive rates. Special arrangements can be made for large or irregular loads – providing the right vehicle and the best route to convey your particular item. Palletised consignments can be transported securely and efficiently to nationwide destinations using our delivery service.

Our haulage fleet includes:

7.5 ton Beavertail Plant Lorries – ideal for moving smaller items of plant, machinery and equipment, including machine buckets and attachments.
Crane Mounted Lorries (Hiab) – with a cheesewedge body, ideal for transporting plant and machinery as well as building materials, containers, cabins, generators and fuel bowsers etc.
Low Loaders – excellent for transporting an extensive range of heavy plant and machinery including tarmacing plant and equipment.
Taut Liners (Curtain Sided) 44 ft – suitable for moving an extensive range of loads included palletised goods. These lorries can be loaded from the side giving greater versatility, extremely useful for moving building materials and equipment from site to site and other bulky loads.