Crane Truck & Beavertail Plant Body: Sterling Multiload Operational Benefits

Published on: 24th June 2025

In today’s fast-paced accommodation, construction and transport sectors, businesses need more than just vehicles – they need adaptable and dependable plant bodies that maximise payload, reduce turnaround times, and ensure safe, seamless logistics. One of the most effective ways to achieve this? Equipping your crane truck with a highly engineered beavertail plant body like the Sterling Multiload.

While Sterling doesn’t supply the cranes themselves, our industry-renowned plant bodies – including the Multiload – are designed to complement crane-fitted lorries, providing unmatched versatility and real-world performance.

What is a Crane Truck with a Beavertail Body?

A crane truck is a rigid chassis vehicle fitted with a hydraulic crane for self-loading heavy or abnormal loads such as containers, generators, welfare units, or materials. When equipped with a beavertail plant body, this vehicle can transport self-driven plant machinery such as excavators, rollers, and dumpers via fold-down ramps.

This combination allows operators to:

• Load/unload non-powered or palletised equipment with the crane.

• Drive on a powered plant machinery using the ramps.

• Perform two jobs in one journey – maximising asset utilisation and revenue potential.

Why the Sterling Multiload is the Ideal Plant Body for Crane Trucks

The Sterling Multiload is purpose-built to handle the demands of modern transport operations where crane trucks are used across various industries, including:

• Construction and Civil Engineering

• Accommodation

• Utility Contracting

• Rail and Infrastructure

• Logistics & Maritime

Let’s explore how the Multiload enhances performance in real-world settings.

1. Dual-Purpose Functionality for Complex Loads

The Multiload is designed as a true hybrid: it supports crane lifting for stationary items and acts as a beavertail lorry for drive-on plant machinery and equipment. This makes it ideal for mixed-load scenarios such as:

Use Case: Urban Site Delivery

A contractor delivering a 1.5T excavator and a welfare cabin to a restricted-access city site can drive the machine on and off using the beavertail ramps and lift the welfare unit off with the crane – no second vehicle required.

2. Optimised Loading Angles and Deck Heights

With a low overall deck height and a choice of full-width or twin cheesewedge fold-forward ramps, the Multiload allows for:

• Shallow ramp approach angles (ideal for low-clearance plant machinery)

• Lower centre of gravity (improving vehicle stability)

• Easy manual or winch-assisted loading of non-driven equipment

Real-World Benefit:

Operators transporting access platforms or tracked machines benefit from safer, easier loading – especially when working on uneven ground or in wet weather.

3. Adaptable Chassis Configuration (14-32T)

The Sterling Multiload is engineered for mounting on rigid truck chassis between 14 to 32 tonnes GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight), allowing operators to choose a configuration that suits payload, crane rating, and route constraints.

4. Built for Crane Integration

Our plant body integrates seamlessly with a crane-fitted chassis. The Multiload uses an out-rigging subframe design, enabling us to mount cross members directly to the crane subframe. This avoids excessive deck height increases – a common issue in crane truck builds.

• Maintains low deck height even with mid-to-heavy-duty cranes

• Preserves structural integrity and load distribution

• Reduces ramp steepness and improves road handling

5. Transporting a Variety of Loads

The Sterling Multiload supports an extensive range of equipment and load types, including:

6. Compliance, Safety & Longevity

The Multiload is manufactured to the highest safety and build standards. Features include:

• CE-compliant ramp mechanisms

• Reinforced lashing points for plant security

• Optional fall-arrest rail systems

• Heavy-duty hardwood or mesh deck finishes

• Headboard, ramps and other steel components hot-dip galvanised for maximum protection

Summary: Sterling Multiload + Crane Truck = Maximum ROI

For operators who need the functionality of both a beavertail lorry and a crane vehicle in one chassis, the Sterling Multiload is the go-to plant body solution. Its practical features, real-world adaptability, and crane-optimised design help businesses:

• Reduce fleet operating costs

• Improve load efficiency and safety

• Maximise uptime and job flexibility

• Stay competitive in demanding environments

If you’re speccing a new crane truck, talk to us about the Sterling Multiload and see how we can build a beavertail plant body that works harder for your business.