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Feb 24 2020

The 26m A-double combination Byford unveiled in April not only breathed new life into Australian trailer design, but also helped the much talked-about PBS scheme expand beyond the classic truck and dog segment. Now the growing family business is causing a stir with a 20m follow-up model.

Drawing on 40 years of experience in manufacturing bulk transport equipment, Byford has long proven that it has the technical know-how to push the innovation bar in the tanker industry. Launched in April, the ‘Maxless’ campaign has again reminded industry that the Moama-based manufacturing company is a force to be reckoned with. Back then, Byford used the International Truck, Trailer & Equipment Show in Melbourne to present a PBS-approved A-double tanker with steerable axles and a steerable dolly. Forging its own reputation as an innovative force in Australian commercial transport, Byford delivered another industry first that openly challenged the competition and subsequently brought new life to the high productivity vehicle market.

Following up on the concept, which revolved around the company’s new “Maximum Payload, Maximum Access, Less Axles, Less Turning Circle” mantra, Byford has now developed a PBS-approved 20m AB-double.

“Byford is the game innovator and we believe that our Maxless range will lead most fleets to gradually phase out their older models,” says Byford’s General Manager, Lindsay Furness. “The 20m version was developed to replace a 28,000-litre BMC Tri-axle tanker. We believe that the Australian market has never seen such a versatile tanker before – it will be the start of a whole new vehicle category, based on current driver’s feedback.”

Benefitting from the 26m A-double’s DNA, the 20m AB-double was made to lift the benchmark in manoeuvrability. Also fitted with steerable axles, the 20m AB-double achieves a swept path of only 5.8m, making for a massive difference for the driver if you consider the swept paths of other vehicles, such as the Maxless 26m at 6.33m, conventional 19m B-doubles at 6.7m, Single Squat BMC Tankers at 5.4m and the 20m Tri-bogie at approximately seven metres, Byford facts.

“Based on manufacturer’s data over three years, the self-steering axle will save up to 10,000 litres of fuel per one million kilometres, which will go straight to the bottom line. What’s more, they also reduce drag and wear on the tyres, which make for the second highest cost factor in modern-day transport,” says Lindsay. According to Byford, the self-steering axles are utilised at low speeds when accessing farms/ depots or navigating tight corners in city traffic. They are automatically locked via the tanker’s EBS when the vehicle reaches speeds above 30km/h.

With the second Maxless model now on the road, Byford has firmly established itself in the PBS market. “Getting national approvals to build two PBS tankers with general access and HML is a detailed process that involves numerous discussions with transport bodies like VicRoads, RMS, NatRoad and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, as well as local council and shires, so we’re very proud to see the units in action and thank all involved for their support,” says Managing Director, Gary Byford.

“It’s important that everyone understands what PBS is all about and how Byford’s new Maxless range can help tackle Australia’s growing freight task. Special thanks also to the NHVR for their ongoing support.”