There’s a lot more thought going into transport now than there was even a few years ago. By Brian Coogan
It’s no longer just about having a truck to move machines from one site to another. Operators are under pressure on all sides—costs, time, utilisation, and safety—and transport has become a key part of keeping everything moving.
If the truck isn’t working efficiently, the rest of the business feels it.
That’s where this latest delivery from Sterling into MW Hire Group comes into play. A new Combiload beavertail plant body, mounted on a Scania 460G 8×2 32-tonne chassis, designed to handle a wide mix of work without adding complication.
A BUSINESS THAT KNOWS THE JOB
MW Hire Group has built its name by understanding what contractors actually need.
Established in 1992, the company has grown steadily into one of the more recognisable plant hire and sales operations in Ireland. With depots in Kilkenny and Wexford, along with a UK presence in Irvine, Scotland, they’ve managed to scale up while keeping a strong local service approach.
Their work covers a broad spread:
• Large construction projects
• Civil engineering works
• Local contractors and smaller jobs
• Access and general plant hire
That kind of mix brings its own challenges, particularly when it comes to logistics.
You’re not moving the same machines every day. The fleet could be sending out access platforms in the morning and collecting excavators that evening.
That’s why flexibility on the transport side is critical.
THE CASE FOR A MULTI-PURPOSE SETUP
For hire companies, transport can’t afford to be restrictive.
Having multiple trucks set up for specific tasks can quickly become inefficient, both in terms of cost and availability. What operators are now looking for is a setup that can adapt quickly to changing demands.
That’s the thinking behind the Combiload.
It’s built as a multi-purpose plant body, capable of handling:
• Access equipment
• General plant
• Heavier machinery when required
• All on the one vehicle.
For a busy hire fleet, that kind of flexibility is a real advantage. It allows operators to respond faster and make better use of the equipment they already have.
GETTING THE SPEC RIGHT
The base vehicle here is a Scania 460G 8×2, which is a solid and dependable platform for this type of work.
It’s well suited to carrying plant bodies, offering the right balance of power, stability, and payload capacity. But as always, it’s the body specification that makes the difference.
On this build, the detail has clearly been thought through with day-to-day use in mind.
The key features include:
• Double flip 1.0m twin ramps
• Channel side raves with integrated lashing bars
• 3.5-tonne ball and jaw coupling
• Stainless steel 1-metre toolbox
There’s nothing excessive here—just a practical setup designed to do the job properly.
LOADING MADE SIMPLE
Loading is one of the areas where time can easily be lost. If it’s awkward or slow, it has a knock-on effect across the day. If it’s straightforward, everything flows better.
The double flip twin ramps on this Combiload help keep things simple.
They provide:
• A manageable loading angle
• Better control when positioning machines
• Greater flexibility across different equipment types
This is particularly useful when dealing with access platforms or lower clearance machines, where loading angles can become an issue.
It’s a small detail, but one that makes a difference over time.
SECURING THE LOAD
Once the machine is on the body, securing it properly is essential.
The channel side raves and integrated lashing bars give operators plenty of options depending on what they’re carrying.
That flexibility matters in a hire environment, where loads can vary from one job to the next.
Instead of working around the truck, the truck works with the load.
It keeps things straightforward and reduces the need for workarounds on site.
ADDING AN EXTRA LAYER OF FLEXIBILITY
The inclusion of a 3.5-tonne ball and jaw coupling adds another dimension to the setup.
It allows operators to:
• Tow additional equipment when needed
• Increase overall transport capacity
• Reduce the need for a second vehicle on certain jobs
Again, it comes back to getting more out of the one unit.
BUILT FOR DAILY USE
One of the key strengths of the Combiload is its straightforward construction.
There’s no unnecessary complexity. It’s built to handle day-to-day use without creating extra maintenance issues.
That’s particularly important in a hire fleet, where:
• Equipment is constantly moving
• Turnaround times are tight
• Downtime needs to be kept to a minimum
A simple, robust design helps keep things running without interruption.
FITTING INTO THE MW HIRE OPERATION
For MW Hire Group, this type of truck fits naturally into how they operate.
Their business depends on keeping machines moving and meeting customer demand across multiple sectors.
Having a transport solution that can:
• Handle a wide range of equipment
• Adapt quickly to changing jobs
• Operate without constant adjustment
Is a major advantage. It allows them to maintain service levels while keeping the operation efficient.
STERLING’S CONTINUED GROWTH IN IRELAND
This delivery also reflects Sterling’s growing presence in the Irish market.
The company has been supplying plant bodies into Ireland for a number of years and has built a reputation for practical, well-built solutions.
The approach is straightforward:
• Focus on durability
• Keep designs practical
• Build equipment that suits real working conditions
That tends to resonate well with Irish operators, particularly in the hire and construction sectors.
DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
There are a number of smaller details on the Combiload that add up over time.
Features such as:
• Low loading angles
• High-grip deck surfaces
• Multiple lashing points
All contribute to making the truck easier and safer to use.
Individually, they might not stand out. But together, they improve the overall day-to-day experience for the operator.
A CHANGING APPROACH TO TRANSPORT
There’s a clear shift happening across the industry.
Operators are moving away from:
• Highly specialised transport setups
• Multiple single-purpose vehicles
And towards:
• Multi-purpose solutions
• Flexible equipment
• Simpler, more reliable designs
It’s being driven by both cost and practicality.
Workloads are changing, and equipment needs to keep up.
A PRACTICAL ADDITION TO THE FLEET
This latest Combiload delivery doesn’t try to overcomplicate things.
It’s a straightforward, well-specified piece of equipment designed to do exactly what’s required of it.
For MW Hire Group, it adds another level of flexibility to an already busy operation.
It supports the day-to-day movement of equipment, helps improve efficiency, and fits in with how modern hire fleets are being run.
And in the current climate, that’s what matters—equipment that works, adapts, and keeps the job moving without fuss.
