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PRINOTH M450s Mulching Head
Trucks& Trailers SECTION
To view our current comparison trailer specification charts visit www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Pages 81-87
New Warranty Policy, Financing Program Gives XL Specialized Industry Edge
XL Specialized’s 120 lowprofile HDG trailer.
Standing behind its versatile heavy haul products and custom trailer innovations, Iowa-based manufacturer XL Specialized Trailers started 2021 on a high note with a new warranty policy and new financing program, both improvements over its own offerings and setting the standards high for the industry overall.
President and CEO Stuart Sleper is upbeat on these latest developments of 2021.
The new 5-3-1 warranty policy features full five-year structural coverage, full threeyear paint coverage and full one-year coverage on parts and components. The new XL Specialized Capital financing program for trailer buyers is a solution for XL’s nationwide network of dealers to get trailers to customers quickly and affordably, with online credit approvals completed within hours and flexible payment
By Ruksana Hussain plans. CEG CORRESPONDENT “The financing program is another tool for our dealerships to help an end user that has trouble coming up with the full amount to spread those payments and make that purchase much more feasible,” said Sleper. XL offers a wide range of trailer models including hydraulic detachable gooseneck (HDGs) and mechanical full-width gooseneck (MFGs) lowboys, extendables and many others for the construction, commercial, agricultural, wind energy, oil and gas, infrastructure and custom trailer markets. Founded in 1995 by George Wall, the company has been in business for 26 years, during which it has steadily grown from its original facility in Oelwein to its current headquarters in Manchester, expanding from 75,000 sq. ft. in 2006 to 130,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space today, and with another
XL Specialized’s mini-deck trailer.
see XL page 82
N THE BOJ EV YER YDA R!
O er a CEN e v Y of buUR UT g t uildin h he er ev y bes at he vy-dut - y t t arailer o s or s f g neour haulin o y eds!
Page 82 • July 21, 2021 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com •Truck & Trailer Section • Construction Equipment Guide XL Specialized Continues to Eye ‘Next Big Thing’ in Trailers
XL from page 81
expansion project now adding another 50,000 sq. ft. This will bring XL to almost 200,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space and updated offices.
To be completed by year-end, the expansion will help add capacity in key areas of XL’s manufacturing process to reduce lead times and see a more satisfied customer base, resulting in larger market share.
“The last three years we’ve seen record performance across the board, from safety to topline growth to customer satisfaction … With the expansion project, we are looking to add more people, and grow by another 30 percent,” said Sleper, who brings manufacturing expertise spanning more than 25 years, having held leadership roles with General Motors, Honeywell, Goodyear Tire and Parker Hannifin.
That growth is attributed in large part to XL’s workforce and new leadership team, with company culture being the driving force behind the improvement.
“Our employee turnover three years ago was 85 percent and today is below 20 percent, that’s a business metric we watch closely,” said Sleper. “It’s very important to be plugged in to our team members. If we take care of our team, they in turn, will take good care of our customers. It’s been a transformational change for XL.”
Where finding and retaining labor has been a major pain point for the industry, and was true for XL until 2018, an improved employee benefits package with a bonus tied to company earnings, created by the new leadership team, has seen XL realize its goal of becoming an employer of choice in northeast Iowa.
“We have an awesome team at XL, and they deserve all the credit for our recent success,” said Sleper.
While competitors offer a standardized product line, and so does XL, Sleper explained that customization always drew customers in. A highly engineered, customer-centric, process-oriented approach, customization at XL involves voice of the customer, market study, a lot of analytics and a 10-person leadership team that sits on the panel evaluating new products as they come through. A prototype unit is made and goes into the field for testing.
“We have a large engineering team; they are experts regarding all the different factors and variations that go into heavy haul trailer manufacturing,” said Sleper. “Every state has different regulations and laws governing transportation of loads over the highway, so our engineering team must be up to date and knowledgeable about all those state laws and regulations, different bridge laws for example, and all the requirements that go into a heavy haul. It’s that engineering expertise that our founder, George Wall, realized was needed and he built the company around it. The differentiator back then and today being customized engineering services and products, that’s our secret sauce. That’s what sets us apart.”
Wall sold the company in 2007 to a private equity group, that then sold the company in 2016 to London-based Caparo Bull Moose, an industrial conglomerate owning manufacturing companies around the world. Through it all, XL has continued to strengthen its dealer network, team of skilled employees and add to its product offerings. Training is provided twice a year where dealers, customers, suppliers and new employees are invited to learn more about the company and products. The two-day sessions include hands-on time with trailers, understanding how each different model works and performs.
XL has a complete parts department that handles incoming calls daily and their own parts warehouse. Trailers get serviced at XL’s dedicated service center housed in a separate building across the street from the main facility with its own expert staff.
“The biggest challenge for us now is trying to meet the demand of our customer base; it has exploded over the last four months so the timing of the expansion project has been good for us and will enable us to better meet that demand,” said Sleper. “The other challenge is the supply chain; there is unprecedented raw material inflation going on in the market right now. We’re doing the best we can managing through this commodity surge. Our customers and dealers have been excellent partners through this challenging environment, and we’d like to thank them for their support.”
On plans for 2021 and beyond, Sleper said, “Every market sector is unique and involves product development and new features to trailers. Because most of our orders are custom work, each trailer is almost like a new product. We have a new product development team that is working all the time with our customers to develop the next big thing in the trailer industry. We are number one in the innovation space, and we come out with three to five new trailers every year. Our company is growing fast, and we have ambitions to double in size in the next three to five years. We are very excited for the future and what’s in store for the heavy haul trailer industry.” CEG
Cleveland Brothers 4565 William Penn Highway Murrysville, PA 15668 866-551-4602
Erie 3950 Depot Road Erie, PA 16510 814-898-3388
Somerset 168 Industrial Park Road Somerset, PA 15501 814-445-7915
Clearfield 1307 S Second Street Clearfield, PA 16830 814-765-1611
Mansfield 18512 Route 6 Mansfield, PA 16933 570-662-7171
Lantz Corners 3105 Route 219 Kane, PA 16735 814-778-5250
Mount Pleasant 309 Foothills Lane Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666 724-696-4080
Turbotville 190 Cleveland Brothers Road Watsontown, PA 17777 570-538-2551
Lancaster 4326 Oregon Pike Ephrata, PA 17522 717-859-4905
State College 2955 Stewart Dr. State College, PA 16801 814-237-8338
Harrisburg 5210 Paxton Street Harrisburg, PA 17111 717-564-0598
Wilkes-Barre 970 Wilkes Barre Twp. Rd. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 570-822-8141
Clarksburg 6286 West Veterans Memorial Highway Bridgeport, WV 26330 304-842-2222
Shinnston 5541 Benedum Drive Shinnston, WV 26431 304-592-5855 www.clevelandbrothers.com
Milton CAT 100 Quarry Dr Milford, MA 01757 508-634-3400
84 Concord St North Reading, MA 01864 978-276-2400 978-276-2410 Parts
14 Kendrick Rd Wareham, MA 02571 508-291-1200
4610 E Saile Dr Batavia, NY 14020 585-815-6200 585-815-6250 Parts
500 Commerce Dr Clifton Park, NY 12065 518-877-8000 518-877-6860 Parts
55 Industrial Park Dr Binghamton, NY 13904 607-772-6500 607-251-6550 Parts
294 Ainsley Dr Syracuse, NY 13210 315-476-9981 315-703-7042 Parts
79 Robertson Blvd Brewer, ME 04412 207-989-1890 207-991-3130 Parts
16 Pleasant Hill Rd Scarborough, ME 04074 207-883-9586 207-885-8045 Parts
30 Industrial Dr Londonderry, NH 03053 603-665-4500 603-665-4510 Parts
150 Cat Lane Richmond, VT 05477 802-434-4228 802-434-7810 Parts
2158 Plainfield Pike Cranston, RI 02920 401-946-6350 www.miltoncat.com
Bobcat of North Jersey 201 Maltese Dr. Totowa, NJ 07512 973-774-9500 www.njbobcat.com
Pittsburgh, PA (412) 747-7777 Lancaster, PA (717) 569-4531 Hubbard, OH (330) 534-0082 Cincinnati, OH (513) 874-4880
New & Used Trailer Sales • Rental / Leasing • Financing • Service • Parts
Daily RENTALS & Long-Term LEASING! (412) 747-7777
• 140 — 2015 Reitnouer 48'x102"
Maxmiser Flatbeds
(In Stock) $25,950
MECHANICAL DETACHABLES MECHANICAL DETACHABLES
2016 XL Specialized 35-Ton, 29’ in Well.
2012 Trail King 35-Ton, 29’ in Well. (Pictured) Unit # 4644
Unit # 4641 Qty 4 - New Eager Beaver Pavers, 35 GSL-PT Hydraulic Detachable Lowboys, 35-Ton, 24’ Deck, Air Ride.
Qty 1 - New 35 GSL-BR, 35-Ton, 24’ Deck, Beaver Tail.
FONTAINE DOUBLE DROP EXTENDABLES
2014 Fontaine LXTN-Extendable 29’-50’ in Well, 2014 Fontaine Flip Axle. Unit #’s 4451 & 4452
Qty 1 – New XL Specialized 45-Ton, Single Drop Stretch, 30” Deck Height, Deck 42’ Closed/65’4” Open. Qty 2 – New Fontaine LXT-40, 53’-74’x102”, 34’ Well - Closed, 60’ Well - Open, 40-Ton, Mechanical Detach. (Pictured) Qty 1 – New Fontaine LXTN-40, 50’-71’x102”, 29’ Well - Closed, 50’ Well - Open, 40-Ton, Hydraulic Detach. Qty 1 – New Fontaine 55MXT, 55’-76’x102”, 29’ Well – Closed, 50’ Well - Open, 55-Ton, Hydraulic Detach.
ALL Tri-State Locations
Spec’s/ Features:
• 48’x102” • Front Axle Lift • Aluminum Wheels • LP22.5 Tires • Winch Track on Both Sides of the Trailer
•
System
ONLY 9,300lbs +/-
*XL SPECIALIZED *XL SPECIALIZED MINI-DECKS*
Qty 4 – New 53’x102” 40-Ton Minideck, Hydraulic Classic Neck, 33’7” Clear Deck, 12” Loaded Deck Height, Accepts Both Flip Box and Flip Axle, Both Narrow Neck (Pictured) and Full Width Necks Available.
Qty 2 – New 53’x102” 25-Ton LOW CAMBER Minidecks, Hydraulic Classic Neck with Full Width Top Deck, 33’7” Clear Deck, 12” Loaded Deck Height, Pony Motor, Accepts Flip Axle.
MATCHED GROUP MATCHED GROUP
Qty 14 - 2018 & 2019 Fontaine 48’x102” Steel Flats, Spring Slider, Winch Track.
Unit #’s 4625-4638
2019 Manac Extendable 48’-80’x102”. Unit # 4411 We Have Flip Axles & Flip Boxes
2013 Sunbelt Pole Trailer, 48’/65’x102”, S/R. Unit# 4031 2018 Fontaine Magnitude 55L Plus, 26’ in the Well, 18” Deck Height. Unit # 4234 2013 Entyre 55-Ton Paver, 24’ in the Well. (Not Pictured) Unit # 4536 2014 Talbert 51-Ton, 25’ in Well. (Not Pictured) Unit # 4502
2017 Talbert 55-Ton, 25’6” in Well. (Not Pictured) Unit # 4609
2012 Trail King 55-Ton, 26’ in Well w/2020 Trail King Flip Axle. (Not Pictured) Unit #’s 4605 & 4606 55-Ton 15” Deck Height
Qty 8 – New XL Specialized 55-Ton Hydraulic Detachable Lowboys, 15” Deck Height, 26’ Deck, Rear Lift Axle, Available w/Both Standard and Hydraulic Flip Axles. Red, Black and Galvanized in Stock.
NEW MANAC S-T-R-E-T-C-H FLATBEDS
Qty 6 – New Fontaine Workhorse 55LCC, 18” Deck Height, 26’ Well, o/s Alum Wheels, Rear Lift Axle, Some w/ Wheel Covers.
Qty 1 – New Fontaine Magnitude 55-Ton Drop Side Rail, Rear Lift Axle, o/s Alum Wheels. Qty 1 – New Fontaine Magnitude 60LCC, 18” Deck Height, 26’ Well, o/s Alum Wheels, Front Ramps, Rear Lift Axle. Qty 1 – New Fontaine EQI Hydraulic Spreader. Qty 1 – New Fontaine Magnitude 60-Ton Beam Trailer, 28’ Beam, Modular Connection at Rear. Qty 1 – New Fontaine 55-Ton Paver, 24’ Well. EAGER BEAVER TAGS
Qty 6 – New 20XPT, 20-Ton, 21’ Flat Deck, Air Brakes with Spring Ramps (Qty 2 – with Hydraulic Ramps). Qty 1 – New 25XPL, 25-Ton with Hydraulic Ramps. Qty 7 - 48’-80’x102”, Air Slider & Spring Slider.
All with Winch Track and Galvanized Winches.
Kenworth recently announced that the Bendix ESP Electronic Stability Program is now available as an option for the Kenworth C500.
The Kenworth C500 is Kenworth’s largest workhorse truck with a GCWR up to 500,000 pounds. It can be used for a variety of tough off-road and heavy-haul applications.
The Bendix technology is designed to help stabilize the vehicle during loss of control situations on dry, wet, snow and ice-covered roadways. In addition to using sensors that monitor lateral acceleration, as found on some roll-only systems, the Bendix ESP full-stability system also uses sensors to monitor steering angle and vehicle direction. This allows for detection of a vehicle’s impending loss of stability and automatic intervention through de-throttling of the engine and selective application of tractor steer and drive axle brakes, along with trailer brakes, helping the driver to maintain control of the vehicle in a variety of situations.
Bendix noted that its safety technologies complement safe driving practices and are not intended to enable or encourage aggressive driving. No commercial vehicle safety technology replaces a skilled, alert driver exercising safe driving techniques and proactive, comprehensive driver training. Responsibility for the safe operation of the vehicle remains with the driver at all times.
For more information, visit www.kenworth.com.
The Bendix stability system for the Kenworth C500 comes with the Bendix 6S/6M configuration, which has six sensors and six modulators, and includes Bendix Smart ATC Automatic Traction Control and Bendix ESP.
Operator safety, ease of use and maintenance are prime factors taken into account when any company is looking into equipment acquisition.
These same factors are even more vital in the Utility & Telcom Industry as they service, build and maintain infrastructures for their state and local regions.
Felling Trailers’ re-engineered utility pole cargo trailers (UPT-C’s) are fully engineered and documented products that embody these factors. Thus operators can be assured of many years of reliable, trouble-free service, according to the manufacturer.
Felling’s engineering, sales and utility telecom product manager worked together to create a userfocused product, incorporating all of the standard features an operator wants and needs to get through a day’s schedule of pole replacements and line maintenance.
The UPT-C model line offers four models with GVWRs (gross vehicle weight rating) ranging from 13,800 to 23,000 lbs. All models are standard with electric FSA (forward self-adjusting) brakes on all axles with an air brake option available on FT-20 UPT-C.
Cargo Box
Lengths Available
• 20 to 30 ft. length 10-ft. bed (standard on all models) • 24 to 40 ft. length 12-ft. bed (available on all models) • 29 to 46 ft. length 14-ft. bed (available on FT-20 UPT-C only)
Functionality, Flexibility
Equipped with a 2 in. cold rolled steel, positive locking adjustment pin and designed with a notched flange welded on the pin, the flange notches have to pass through two tabs welded 90 degrees from each other, assuring a positive locked position. The 2 in. positive locking adjustment pin is attached to the trailer with a chain to prevent loss.
Improved toolbox design offers safer accessibility for the operator when the trailer is loaded with poles and features a locking t-handle design. The tailgate latching system features a spring-loaded securement system, and bumper stops on the tailboard to govern the rear tailgate.
FT-14 UPT-C in 20 ft./30 ft. length.
Safety By Design
The UPT-C trailers feature a triple taillight system which provides for increased visibility of the truck and trailer during offload/loading of poles in the field. Optional amber LED strobe lights, switched and mounted in tailboard, replace two center lights.
Pole transport, UPT-Cs are equipped standard with center and rear, 95 in. wide bolsters with 21 in. sliding lever locking removable stanchions with winch binder and 30 ft. by 4 in. strap. A 45 in. wide front bolster with a 4 in. strap and binder are standard.
Optional front bolsters include 60 in. and 95 in. wide. Both are double c-channel construction and have a 4 in. strap and binder along with lever locking removable stanchions.
Multiple load securement points are located down the mainframe rail. Four d-rings provide ideal tiedown points for the material being carried in the cargo box. • 10 in. c-channel main frame rails • Extendable tongue, 8 in. by 4 in. by ¼ in. wall tube with 10 in. by 6 in. by ¼ in. receiver tube • Cargo box, 15 in. tall sides, 10 gauge floor and 12 gauge sides • All wiring and airlines (when equipped with air brakes) are ran internally traveling in a heavy-duty energy chain • No user intervention is required for the wiring or airlines when extending and retracting the tongue • Positive locking adjustment pin with a chain attached to the trailer to prevent loss
For more information, call 800/245-2809 or visit www.felling.com.
