Choosing the Right Beavertail Truck for Your Plant Hire Business

Published on: 28th August 2025

In the plant hire industry, every piece of equipment you move is an investment in both time and safety. From tracked excavators to wheeled dumpers and access platforms, transporting your machinery requires the right vehicle setup – and choosing the right beavertail truck can make or break your operation’s efficiency.

This guide is designed to help plant hire businesses choose the best vehicle for transporting plant equipment, covering the key considerations, configurations, and body types – including specialist options like the Sterling Megaload.

Why Beavertail Trucks Are Essential for Plant Hire

A beavertail truck is a flatbed vehicle featuring a sloped rear tail section – the “beavertail” – that allows plant and machinery to be safely driven or winched onto the deck. This is critical in the plant hire industry, where speed, safety, and load security are daily priorities.

When paired with a purpose-built plant body, these trucks offer:

• Low-angle loading for tracked and wheeled machinery
• Secure, stable transport of heavy equipment
• Reduced reliance on cranes or lifting gear
• Faster turnaround on job sites

Key Considerations for Plant Hire Operators

Before choosing your next beavertail truck, consider the following:

What type of plant equipment do you move most?

Tracked excavators, dumpers, rollers, MEWPs, and smaller access machinery all have different load profiles. Your plant body must match the equipment you move most often.

Do you need extra traction for tracked machines?

Features like grouser bars provide essential traction for steel-tracked machinery, reducing the risk of slipping during loading and unloading. They are especially useful when operating in wet or uneven conditions, helping to ensure safer, more controlled movements on and off the plant body.

Durbar knuckle plates, on the other hand, are designed to support components like digger arms when resting on the flat deck. By providing a steel surface in place of timber, they help prevent damage and wear to the decking over time, improving the overall longevity of the timber deck.

How often will you load on uneven ground?

If your fleet frequently operates on rough terrain, a double-break beavertail offers better ground clearance and a safer approach angle.

What’s your gross vehicle weight requirement?

Plant hire operations may need a range of body sizes. Sterling offers plant bodies and beavertail trucks for chassis from 7.5T to 32T GVW, giving you full flexibility based on fleet size and load type.

Sterling Megaload – Built for the Heavy Lifting in Plant Hire

When heavy-duty performance is non-negotiable, the Sterling Megaload is the go-to solution for plant hire businesses transporting serious kit. Engineered for strength and simplicity, it handles general plant equipment including steel-tracked excavators, rollers, and dumpers.

Key Features:

• Double-break beavertail for safer loading angles
• Grouser bars on ramps for grip under load
• 12,000lb electric winch for non-driven equipment
• 300mm crossmember spacing for exceptional point loading
• Durbar knuckle plate at rear deck strength to allow digger arms or quick hitches to rest on
• Post & socket fall arrest system for operator safety
• Heavy-duty hardwood deck and galvanised headboard
• Customisation options: Cheesewedge ramps, side rave upgrades, toolboxes, fire extinguishers, drawbar couplings, and more.

The Megaload is available in 12–32 tonne chassis configurations. It’s designed with practical features that minimise maintenance, reduce risk, and get the job done faster.

Download the Megaload specification sheet for a complete overview of standard features and available upgrade options.

What to Look for in a Plant Body for Hire Transport

Whether you’re running a single beavertail truck or managing a full plant hire fleet, your plant body should deliver:

• Strength under point loads – for excavators and compactors
• Multiple lashing options – for load security and compliance
• Smart storage – for chains and site tools
• Fall protection systems – to safeguard your operators
• Flexible ramp solutions – for tracked vs. wheeled machinery

Sterling’s plant body portfolio gives you tailored options to match specific operational demands – without compromising on durability or safety.

Common Questions About Beavertail Trucks for Plant Hire

1. What size beavertail truck is best for plant hire?
   Most plant hire fleets benefit from a 26T or 32T GVW chassis, which allows them to move a broad range of heavy machinery including tracked excavators and dumpers. Sterling builds plant bodies to suit from 12T to 32T, so you can match your fleet size to your most common load weights.
2. Is a MEWP better suited to a Megaload?

Not usually. While the Megaload can transport MEWPs, they’re better suited to the Sterling Easiload, which offers a lower approach angle and lighter-duty configuration tailored for MEWP hire companies.

3. How long will a Sterling plant body last?

Thanks to galvanised steel construction, sealed wiring, and durable hardwood decking, Sterling bodies are designed for years of heavy-duty use, even in harsh plant hire environments. Routine maintenance is simplified to reduce downtime.

4. How do I know if I need a winch?

If you regularly move non‑driven, immobilised, or damaged plant machinery and equipment, a winch is essential for safe, controlled loading and unloading. The Megaload is supplied with a 12,000 lb electric winch as standard, giving ample pulling power for most plant hire tasks.

Final Thoughts: The Right Truck Drives Your Business Forward

Your beavertail truck is more than just a transporter – it’s a critical link in your plant hire service. Choosing the right plant body ensures safe delivery, minimal downtime, and a professional experience your customers can rely on.

Whether you’re upgrading a single vehicle or expanding your fleet, trust a purpose-built solution like the Sterling Megaload to meet your needs – safely, efficiently, and reliably.

Need Help Configuring the Right Beavertail for Plant Hire?

Speak to our team about configuring your next build. From 7.5T to 32T, we’ll help you design a plant hire transport solution that works as hard as your machinery.

Contact us today or explore more on the Megaload beavertail plant body.