New 350 Tonne Greiner Side Girder Bridge System added to our Heavy Transport Fleet
We’re proud to announce the latest addition to our heavy transport fleet, a new 350 Tonne capacity modular side girder bridge system (SGB)
The Greiner Side Girder Bridge System strategic investment expands our ability to handle high and heavy cargoes across the UK. The new system will initially support a long-term contract, transporting transformers from Stafford to Ellesmere Port.
Engineered by Greiner, this trailer fits perfectly between our existing 150 Tonne, 250 Tonne, and 550 Tonne capacity girder bridges. It’s the “missing piece of the puzzle,” offering a highly versatile solution to meet a wide range of heavy transport demands.
Designed for improved flexibility, the 350 Tonne girder bridge includes fully interchangeable ‘Neck’ and ‘Deck’ beams. This modular design allows us to configure the system for different axle combinations, ranging from 2×8 to 2×18 rows. These configurations depend on the load size and the structural capacity of the route.
By combining various beam components, we can adjust the side deck length from 3 to 18 metres. This gives us exceptional adaptability, even when facing complex transport requirements or challenging route conditions.
One of the key features of this system is its ability to accommodate several transformer loading methods. These are in line with manufacturer specifications and include:
- High shoulder/trunnion support (High Deck)
- Low shoulder/trunnion support (Low Deck)
- Full bottom support (Cross Beam)
- Toe support (Inside Beam Toe)
This flexibility helps address the industry-wide challenge of headroom when moving high and heavy loads. As a result, it enables more efficient route planning and improves feasibility across a wider range of projects.
The Girder bridge also incorporates a unique ‘Z’ beam connector. This allows the neck beams to connect directly to specially designed loads, removing the need for deck beams entirely. When used in this way, the configuration becomes a Schnabel-type loading profile, ideal for particular load types that require a custom solution.
In addition, the girder bridge includes a hydraulically adjustable internal loading aperture, ranging from 1.8 to 4.6 metres. It also offers deck height adjustment with a stroke capacity from ground level up to +1.9 metres. This functionality allows the trailer to be raised or lowered when needed, supporting safe navigation under bridges and helping reduce the need to remove street furniture, a key factor in urban heavy haulage planning.
This new system is already being used on a long-term contract, transporting 35 high-value transformers, each weighing up to 325 Tonnes, from Stafford to Ellesmere Port. It further reinforces Collett’s position as a trusted leader in oversized and abnormal load transport. More importantly, it reflects our continued commitment to delivering engineered logistics solutions with safety, precision, and innovation at the core.
David Collett, Managing Director at Collett & Sons, commented:
“This is the fourth girder bridge to join the Collett fleet, and with our existing 150 Tonne, 250 Tonne and 550 Tonne units, this new 350 Tonne Greiner sits comfortably in a Sweet spot in the market and truly is the ‘’missing piece of the puzzle’’, strengthening our heavy transport capabilities and giving us even greater flexibility to meet the evolving demands of our clients.”