Harsh does the heavy lifting for AC Group

The AC Group of Maltby, South Yorkshire, has just put into service five new '24 reg tippers, comprising two rigid eight-wheelers and three 6x2 tractors. All of them depend on HARSH power to lift their bodywork. "We've standardised on HARSH for our hydraulics for over five years now," says AC's Fleet Manager Andy Todd. " Whether as front-end tipping gears for the rigids or wet kits for the tractors, all our HARSH equipment has proven to be supremely reliable.

It also gives us the additional benefits of combining low weight with high-speed operation--the key things that any tipper really needs." The two new 8x4s feature HARSH HFT154 combined ram and tank hoists mounted on Scania XT chassis, working in conjunction with multi-purpose Townend 'Samson' steel tipping bodies. These tippers can carry every load, from fine sand to heavy stone.

AC Group's three new tractor units are fitted with HARSH wet kits and work with dedicated low-weight aggregate trailers. These Scania XT tractors are fitted with high-roof R cabs, 500hp 'Super' engines, and uprated front axles fitted with 385/65 wide single tyres. "As the company continues to grow, we are carrying more products to more places than ever," says Andy Todd. "The artics are now predominantly working with bulk loads on longer distances, with the eight-wheelers doing more repetitive work on local building and construction projects.

What also counts well for HARSH is that they have a top-notch aftersales service too--we can always get hold of people as well as any parts that we might need. For us, that's invaluable." From its newly built operating base in Maltby, just outside Rotherham, AC Group supplies building products, including primary and recycled aggregates, marine aggregates, decorative aggregates and cement.

Founded by Andrew and Debbie Collins over 25 years ago, the company has recently notched up impressive milestones of over 400,000 tonnes of aggregates delivered to customers in Yorkshire, which is double that number delivered across the whole of the UK.

Speaking for HARSH, Jason Bramall, Business Development Manager for northern England, comments, "It's great to see that our products can deliver the levels of performance and reliability that fast-moving companies like AC Group really need.

We've worked with Andy for a good few years now, and pride ourselves on the fact that we can also deliver whatever backup and support AC Group's tippers might need."