Drake 4x4 Steering Widener low loader: Review

Connections in business can often spring from the most obscure of beginnings, as is the case for much of the role of this Drake 4x4 Steering Widener low loader trailer. Let me explain...

The tiny hamlet of Derby in north-east Tasmania was until, a few years back, nothing more than an old derelict mining town. It had a smattering of run-down houses and a couple of pubs that relied on passing tourists to survive. But, for many, the recent introduction of some world-class mountain bike trails through disused mining and forestry tracks has transformed the town from a sleepy outpost to a thriving bucket-list destination.

Consequently, demand for housing and accommodation in the town is high. So high, in fact, that property prices jumped tenfold in under 12 months after the introduction of the mountain bike trails. As a result, construction of new infrastructure and buildings is booming, with some builders claiming they're booked out solid for the next three years. 

For Otta Excavations, based in nearby Scottsdale, the boom in construction is welcome news. General Manager, Mr Graeme Viney, praised the local Dorset Council for taking the initiative to invest and build the mountain bike trails in Derby. 

“The bike trails have certainly created a lot of employment and are really helping local businesses survive, especially during these hard economic times,” he said. “But importantly, it is creating good jobs for the youth in the area. Now young people can get trades in a wide variety of careers from hospitality through to building and construction, and without having to move away from home. 

"We’ve had our mobile crushing plant working at the old quarry here in Derby for almost 12 months,” Graeme explained. “Before the construction boom in town, this quarry site was all but an abandoned old tin mine site. 

“Anyway, enough small talk – we’d better get this crusher loaded!” 

Mobile monster 

One distinct advantage of the Terex Pegson XR400 mobile crusher is its ability to be shifted from site to site relativity quickly, with minimal setup time required.?? 

The XR400 crusher transforms into a comparably compact unit for transportation, given the nature of the machine. It has a transport dimension width of 2.8 metres and a length of 15.4 metres, with a height of 3.2 metres and an all-up weight of 45 tonnes. 

One of the shortcomings with a full deck widener low loader is the excessive scrubbing of the trailer tyres on turns, primarily due to the far wider track of the axles when the unit is in the fully extended position. However, on the plus side, the wider track of the axles allows for increased trailer stability when carrying wide, heavy equipment. 

Drake’s 4x4 Steering Widener low loader is most suited to transporting machines like the Terex Pegson XR400 mobile crusher because the deck quickly widens to suit the track width of the machine. 

Furthermore, the trailing two axle groups remain in the standard position, similar to the Deck Widener model. In contrast, the leading two axle groups extend outwards with the deck to provided increased stability when carrying the larger machines. 

The inclusion of self-tracking BPW axles makes manoeuvring around tight bends and twists a lot easier on the trailer and improves tyre wear compared to fixed-axle units. Additionally, there is minimal impact on the road surface. 

“Here in Tasmania, we have a lot of narrow, winding, twisting roads,” Graeme explained. “But the Steering Widener low loader has one group of axles that extend to the set deck width for optimum stability. Meanwhile, the trailing axles run at a narrower track, so when the low loader is required to move to the left to pass oncoming traffic, the trailing axle group remain on the hard bitumen surface, adding to the vehicle’s stability.” 

These Drake Steering Widener low loaders boast an extensive list of standard features that includes stainless steel hydraulic tubing, which has provided trouble-free operation for decades. 

The complete trailer is grit blasted and painted in 2-pack paint to the customer’s requirements. Lighting is all LED, while the braking is electronic EBS with ABS and roll stability. The sliding skid plate means that achieving optimum axle weights is easy for the operator, regardless of the load and its dimensions, or whether a dolly is involved. 

There is a push point located at the rear of the low loader for when a pusher unit is required. 

The ramps are hydraulically controlled and utilise the same onboard 6.5hp hydraulic power pack that operates the deck widening system and raises or lowers the gooseneck. There are two spare wheel carriers located on the gooseneck, an alloy water tank and a dunnage tray. There are dual lockable toolboxes down either side of the trailer. 

Worthy winch option 

One option that Beckett's added to its Drake Steering Widener low loader is the gooseneck-mounted winch, which is used when recovering machines that cannot move under their own power. 

“That winch on that float is certainly a handy asset,” said Graeme. “When one of our wheel loaders broke down, they were able to pull it onto the low loader without any trouble and deliver the machine to the dealer to get repaired. 

“The fact that the centre section of the low loader drops a few inches is certainly a blessing when we're shifting machines like this crusher or our large power screens,” he added. “Sometimes that couple of inches is all we need to come in under height, so the machine meets the legal transport height.? 

“One of the main reasons that we engage Becketts to shift our larger machinery is the fact that it has this great Drake Steering Widener low loader,” he continued. “That XR400 Crusher is the backbone of our crushing operation. When we transport it, we need the utmost care taken of our machine, and Beckett’s certainly do that. The fact that the deck widens to the width of our machine gives me peace of mind that our crusher is secure on the trailer, especially when it's heading down some of the steep and winding roads we have here. 

“I also like the fact the two rear trailing axles on the trailer are self-steering, which means that when we are going on to our customers’ sites, we’re not tearing up their driveway or road with our large, heavy machine.” 

The 4x4 Drake Steering Widener low loader has a 50-tonne capacity, and the deck extends from its standard travelling width of 2.5 metres to 3.5 metres. The trailer has a 13-metre deck length with 3.05-metre-long ramps. 

The Mack Titan towing the Drake 2x4 Dolly and 4x4 Steering Widener low loader is a 2007 model, powered by a Caterpillar 600 HP C-16 engine, coupled to a Mack T2000 triple countershaft 18-speed. 

“I really like the sound of that C-16 under the hood when the Mack is working hard on the big climbs,” said Graeme. “But I’m constantly impressed with the versatility of that Drake Steering Widener low loader, whenever it’s carrying our machines.” 

Specifications: Drake 4x4 Steering Widener low loader
Model: Steering Widener low loader
Type: 4x4
Axles: BPW, self-steering
Hydraulics: 6.5hp Honda pull-start power pack
Storage: Internal dunnage trays
Ramps: Hydraulic
Spare wheel carrier: 4 x gooseneck mount
Lights: LED
Kingpin: 2 x removable
Skid plate: Sliding  

Specifications: 2007 Mack Titan
Model: Titan CLR 6x4
Engine: Caterpillar C-16
Horsepower: 600hp (447kW) at 1800rpm
Torque: 1850lb/ft (2516Nm) at 1200-1400rpm
Torque rise: 32%
Transmission: Mack T2000-18, 18-speed
Front axle: Mack FAW18
Front suspension: Multi-leaf, 1753mm
Rear axle: Meritor RT52/185G with cross locks
Rear axle ratio: 4.89:1
Rear suspension: Rockwell AC6T 6-Rod
Wheels: 10-stud alloy
GCM: 155 tonnes
Bumper: King Bar
Exhaust: Twin 5-inch
Fifth wheel: Sliding
Fuel tanks: 2 x 500lt
Cabin: Prestige Plus Crimson
Seat: KAB554 air-ride