Geelong meat transporter, Leopold Transport has taken delivery of one of Maxi-CUBE’s recently updated Meat Hanger trailers.
A small family owned company, which has traditionally transported meat from Geelong abattoirs and distributed it to Melbourne’s northern suburbs, Leopold Transport was started by Geoff and Marion Murgatroyd in 1976, and operated as a one-truck company until son Glenn became involved in 2000. Since then, the company has grown to a fleet of seven prime movers, seven refrigerated trailers, two rigid body trucks and one tipper trailer.
When looking to further expand his fleet, Glenn was intent on purchasing the sturdiest solution. The existing fleet of trailers was from a variety of brands, with most having timber floors and fibreglass around the rear frame, which were giving him maintenance issues. Apart from the floors needing to be replaced, the rear frame was constantly getting battered by repeated impact with loading docks.
One trailer however, had withstood the test of time more than any other. A 1986 model Maxi-CUBE trailer in the fleet featuring an aluminium floor, steel cross members and steel rear frame did not require a lot of maintenance over the years. Glenn decided to contact his local Maxi-CUBE dealer to see whether the current model offered the same benefits.
Leopold Transport sought a trailer that was resilient enough to survive a long working life. They eventually decided on a Maxi-CUBE due to the brand’s reputation of durability, which came from the use of steel in the trailer design.
Heath Menhennet, Area Sales Manager for local Maxi-CUBE Dealer, MaxiTRANS Victoria explained that the new Maxi-CUBE models not only continued to provide the same benefits, they also incorporated a number of improvements in the modern design.
Glenn was offered the new Meat Hanger model, with air operated meat rails that could be raised to the roof with the push of a button when not in use, eliminating the work health and safety risks involved with manually lifting heavy steel rails.
According to Glenn, this feature also enabled them to carry double stacked general freight on the return leg from Melbourne.
The final design was a 45-foot Meat Hanger, featuring longitudinal air operated meat rails, Meritor CS9 suspension and drum brakes. Glenn was also happy to learn that not only did the Maxi-CUBE Meat Hanger continue to offer a sturdy steel rear frame and aluminium floor, but also now had an option of a full steel chassis, further reinforcing the trailer for longevity.
Despite all the product features, Glenn claims that it was Maxi-CUBE’s ability to listen to his requirements and adapt the design accordingly, which was the major reason behind his decision. Where other suppliers preferred to sell him an ‘off-the-shelf’ design, Heath took the time to take him to the Maxi-CUBE factory, sit with their engineers and specify his requirements.
With the new Maxi-CUBE Meat Hanger operating well, Glenn recently placed an order for another unit, due to be delivered shortly complete with design customisations. Glenn is confident of a long, maintenance-free life from both the new trailers.
