MegaloadThe go-to choice for heavy-duty machines such as general plant equipment, excavators, dumpers, and rollers.
EasiloadSpecifically designed for machinery with low-ground clearance, including access platforms and MEWPs.
MultiloadA multifunctional plant body for crane vehicles, engineered to transport containers, plant and other non-driven items.
CombiloadOffering both intricate details and the robustness required for access platforms and heavy machinery.
Miniload NEWCompact, agile, and built for tight turns and urban jobs – perfect for transporting lighter plant, from tools to mini diggers, and compactors.
Sterling and IPAF: What It Means for Operators and Fleet Managers
Published on: 7th April 2026
At Sterling, building reliable transport solutions for plant and machinery is about more than fabrication. It’s about understanding how equipment is used, the safety standards operators must meet, and the real-world conditions vehicles face every day.
For fleet operators and transport managers, this isn’t just a badge – it’s a practical advantage.
Understanding IPAF and Its Relevance
IPAF sets the benchmark for safe and effective use of powered access equipment. It brings together manufacturers, hire companies, contractors, and transport providers to improve safety and best practice across the industry.
Its influence spans the entire supply chain – from the design of MEWPs (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms) through to how they are transported and delivered.
For Sterling, IPAF membership ensures we remain aligned with evolving standards, emerging risks, and operational demands within the access sector.
For operators, that translates into transport equipment designed with a clear understanding of real-world requirements.
The Challenge of Transporting Access Equipment
Transporting MEWPs is not the same as moving general plant.
Access equipment typically presents:
Low ground clearance
High point loading
Smooth tyres with limited grip
Uneven weight distribution
Without the right body design, these factors can lead to:
Grounding during loading
Reduced traction on the deck
Increased risk of load movement
Slower, less efficient operations
Purpose-built transport solutions are essential, not optional.
Engineering for Access Machinery
Sterling’s Easiload plant body has been developed in direct response to these challenges and is widely used across UK access hire fleets.
Key features include:
Shallow Loading Angles
Low-clearance machines require a gentle approach angle. Sterling’s beavertail geometry delivers one of the shallowest loading angles available, reducing the risk of grounding and enabling smoother, safer loading.
Enhanced Deck Grip
Smooth tyres can struggle on conventional steel decks, particularly in wet conditions. Steel mesh decking improves traction, supporting safer loading and unloading in all weather conditions.
High Point Load Strength
MEWPs concentrate weight through small contact areas. Closer cross-member spacing provides the structural strength needed to support these loads without compromising durability
Effective Load Securing
Safe transport depends on proper restraint. Multiple lashing points, including central positions, allow operators to quickly and safely secure a wide range of machines.
Supporting Fleet Performance
For access hire operators, transport vehicles must do more than move equipment-they must support efficient, safe, and reliable operations.
Sterling bodies are designed to:
Enable fast, safe loading and unloading
Protect high-value machinery in transit
Withstand intensive daily use
Support compliance with safety standards
This operator-focused approach helps reduce downtime, improve turnaround times, and maintain consistent service levels.
Safety Beyond the Build
Vehicle safety and performance don’t end at delivery.
Through Sterling Support, operators have access to:
Ongoing after-sales assistance
A nationwide repair network
Maintenance support to keep vehicles compliant and operational
For fleets where downtime directly impacts revenue, this support is critical.
Built Around Industry Needs
Sterling’s IPAF membership reflects a wider commitment: designing products based on how they are actually used.
By working closely with hire companies, operators, and industry bodies, we ensure our transport solutions evolve alongside both equipment design and regulatory expectations.
The result is equipment built not just to carry machinery, but to do so safely, efficiently, and reliably in demanding working environments.
The Higher Standard
At Sterling, The Higher Standard™ represents more than engineering quality. It reflects a commitment to practical design, operator safety, and ongoing industry engagement.
IPAF membership is one of the ways we maintain that standard – ensuring our products continue to deliver real, measurable value for fleet operators and transport managers across the UK.
If you’re operating in the access sector and reviewing your transport setup, Sterling can support you with transport solutions designed around your equipment, your operators, and your day-to-day operational needs.
"‘We have had Sterling bodies on the fleet since 2017 and they have always performed well for the machines that we operate. The backup support allows us to rely on maximum up-time for our delivery service to our clients. With the new livery and the enhancements to the specification, these trucks will allow us to maintain the highest standards of safety and efficiency for years to come.’ "
