Bevan fits HMF cranes to Jewson trucks

Like other bodybuilders, Bevan has previously relied on crane suppliers to mount their own hydraulic loaders on customers’ vehicles. This time, though, the West Midlands-based company is fitting the HMF cranes and their sub-frames itself, as Jewson returned to Bevan Group with its latest order for crane trucks. This development has greatly increased flexibility and efficiency within the build process, with twin benefits of reduced hassle and super-quick build schedules.

Not only is this ‘one-stop shop’ solution making life easier in administrative terms for Jewson, it also means the new trucks are being delivered significantly earlier than would previously have been the case.

Jewson’s latest order is for 55 MAN chassis, a combination of 18- and 26-tonners, which will operate from the builders’ merchant’s depots nationwide. Bevan is fitting these vehicles with split dropside bodies and, immediately behind their cabs, radio-controlled HMF 1420-K2 14-tonne/metre cranes with Kinshofer brick and block grabs.

It is Jewson’s first experience of operating HMF cranes in the UK. Bevan recently became an authorised dealer for Danish-owned HMF, whose premium brand products are renowned not only for their strength and durability, but also for their advanced safety technology – Jewson has specified its cranes with the latest, dynamic version of HMF’s EVS (Electronic Vehicle Stability) system, which calculates the extent to which the load on the back of a truck can also serve as a counterweight, thus allowing the operator to maximise the loader’s capacity while eliminating any risk of the vehicle toppling.

In another move that has shaved an additional week or so from the build timetable, Bevan is employing dropside panels and other extrusions which have been pre-powder-coated in Jewson’s familiar shade of blue. This means the vehicles do not have to go through a paintshop process.