Marshall Trailers

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...Marshall machines sold since 1952
 

FAQ's

In this section we have compiled the most common questions we are asked to ensure that customers can make an informed decision when purchasing a Marshall product. If there are any questions which we don’t answer or you would like further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

Silage / Grain Trailers

  • What are the current regulations on agricultural trailer brakes?

    The law currently states that trailers travelling below 25mph have to have a braking efficiency of at least 25% (UK Road Vehicle Construction & Use Regulations). Above this speed it is unclear exactly what requirements an agricultural trailer has to meet, whether it is commercial braking requirements or still simply a 25% braking efficiency.

    There is currently EU legislation under discussion which would implement a 50% braking efficiency for agricultural trailers, but this has been already been debated for a number of years without it becoming law. It seems unlikely that it will be implemented within the next few years, if ever, since this would impose higher braking standards than required on commercial vehicles.

    Marshall products are fitted with hydraulic brakes as standard and on average provide a braking efficiency of 35%, which exceeds the current legal requirements. This impressive baseline performance is achieved by fitting high quality axles supplied by the world’s leading axle manufacturer, combined with enlarged 25mm brake cylinders and durable 2 wire hoses.

    Take time to examine the specifications of our models and take note of the brake sizes and axles sizes. In particular notice we fit commercial 420 x 180 10 stud axles as standard on our QM/14, QM/16, QM/1600 and QM1800 models; not 10 stud industrial axles, which provide significantly reduced performance. The way to tell the difference between these axles is a commercial axle uses an S-cam brake rode while an industrial axle uses a flat-cam brake rod.

    If a customer requires enhanced braking performance we also offer air brakes with loading sensing, full ABS systems and a number of axle upgrades. This guarantees a Marshall trailer can meet current legal requirements now and any EU legislation that could potentially be introduced in the future.

  • What is the best running gear; rockers or springs?

    This is a question we are constantly asked by customers since the type of running gear will have a huge effect on how the machine performs. There is no definitive answer on which suspension system is better since they both have their own benefits and drawbacks.

    Split oscillating suspension or rockers as it is better known is ideal for machines that will carry high, potentially unstable loads as it eliminates lateral movement of the trailer ensuring the load can be safely transported. Crucially this is benefit is not achieved at the expense of ride quality since the tandems are still able move vertically and therefore allow the trailer to travel smoothly over rough ground. The stability of rockers makes them ideal on bale trailers, which are constantly transporting high loads, or on trailers working on steep ground.

    Marshalls rocking beams are all extremely heavy-duty, and are produced on site by our skilled engineers. In addition to the robust design, all our tandems utilise devlon bushes, which significantly reduces wear and prolongs the life of the rockers.

    The alternative to rockers is spring suspension, which is predominantly used on trailers carrying out a lot of road work. Springs provide an extremely smooth ride and perform better than rockers can on the road, particularly at higher speeds. This type of suspension also allows air brakes with load sensing to be fitted; automatic load sensing does not work on rocker tandem suspension. However the main disadvantage of springs is that they do allow lateral movement of the trailer, making them less stable on steep slopes or with higher loads.

    Whatever suspension set-up you prefer Marshalls offers either as a no-cost option, ensuring your next Marshall will be exactly what you want.

  • What is the difference between the QM and the QM00 range?

    The QM range has been the market leader for more than a decade, which could have only been achieved by constantly evolving and improving the range. The QM00 models are an extension to the QM range and are available in 12, 14 and 16 ton models. They have a shorter, deeper body that results in a more maneuverable trailer which is ideal for country lanes and narrow gateways. Combine this with the standard high-quality QM build and you have an exceptional trailer that can tackle the most demanding tasks.

Drop-Side Trailers

  • What are the current regulations on agricultural trailer brakes?

    The law currently states that trailers travelling below 25mph have to have a braking efficiency of at least 25% (UK Road Vehicle Construction & Use Regulations). Above this speed it is unclear exactly what requirements an agricultural trailer has to meet, whether it is commercial braking requirements or still simply a 25% braking efficiency.

    There is currently EU legislation under discussion which would implement a 50% braking efficiency for agricultural trailers, but this has been already been debated for a number of years without it becoming law. It seems unlikely that it will be implemented within the next few years, if ever, since this would impose higher braking standards than required on commercial vehicles.

    Marshall products are fitted with hydraulic brakes as standard and on average provide a braking efficiency of 35%, which exceeds the current legal requirements. This impressive baseline performance is achieved by fitting high quality axles supplied by the world’s leading axle manufacturer, combined with enlarged 25mm brake cylinders and durable 2 wire hoses.

    Take time to examine the specifications of our models and take note of the brake sizes and axles sizes. In particular notice we fit commercial 420 x 180 10 stud axles as standard on our QM/14, QM/16, QM/1600 and QM1800 models; not 10 stud industrial axles, which provide significantly reduced performance. The way to tell the difference between these axles is a commercial axle uses an S-cam brake rode while an industrial axle uses a flat-cam brake rod.

    If a customer requires enhanced braking performance we also offer air brakes with loading sensing, full ABS systems and a number of axle upgrades. This guarantees a Marshall trailer can meet current legal requirements now and any EU legislation that could potentially be introduced in the future.

  • What is the best running gear; rockers or springs?

    This is a question we are constantly asked by customers since the type of running gear will have a huge effect on how the machine performs. There is no definitive answer on which suspension system is better since they both have their own benefits and drawbacks.

    Split oscillating suspension or rockers as it is better known is ideal for machines that will carry high, potentially unstable loads as it eliminates lateral movement of the trailer ensuring the load can be safely transported. Crucially this is benefit is not achieved at the expense of ride quality since the tandems are still able move vertically and therefore allow the trailer to travel smoothly over rough ground. The stability of rockers makes them ideal on bale trailers, which are constantly transporting high loads, or on trailers working on steep ground.

    Marshalls rocking beams are all extremely heavy-duty, and are produced on site by our skilled engineers. In addition to the robust design, all our tandems utilise devlon bushes, which significantly reduces wear and prolongs the life of the rockers.

    The alternative to rockers is spring suspension, which is predominantly used on trailers carrying out a lot of road work. Springs provide an extremely smooth ride and perform better than rockers can on the road, particularly at higher speeds. This type of suspension also allows air brakes with load sensing to be fitted; automatic load sensing does not work on rocker tandem suspension. However the main disadvantage of springs is that they do allow lateral movement of the trailer, making them less stable on steep slopes or with higher loads.

    Whatever suspension set-up you prefer Marshalls offers either as a no-cost option, ensuring your next Marshall will be exactly what you want.

Flat / Bale Trailers

  • What are the current regulations on agricultural trailer brakes?

    The law currently states that trailers travelling below 25mph have to have a braking efficiency of at least 25% (UK Road Vehicle Construction & Use Regulations). Above this speed it is unclear exactly what requirements an agricultural trailer has to meet, whether it is commercial braking requirements or still simply a 25% braking efficiency.

    There is currently EU legislation under discussion which would implement a 50% braking efficiency for agricultural trailers, but this has been already been debated for a number of years without it becoming law. It seems unlikely that it will be implemented within the next few years, if ever, since this would impose higher braking standards than required on commercial vehicles.

    Marshall products are fitted with hydraulic brakes as standard and on average provide a braking efficiency of 35%, which exceeds the current legal requirements. This impressive baseline performance is achieved by fitting high quality axles supplied by the world’s leading axle manufacturer, combined with enlarged 25mm brake cylinders and durable 2 wire hoses.

    Take time to examine the specifications of our models and take note of the brake sizes and axles sizes. In particular notice we fit commercial 420 x 180 10 stud axles as standard on our QM/14, QM/16, QM/1600 and QM1800 models; not 10 stud industrial axles, which provide significantly reduced performance. The way to tell the difference between these axles is a commercial axle uses an S-cam brake rode while an industrial axle uses a flat-cam brake rod.

    If a customer requires enhanced braking performance we also offer air brakes with loading sensing, full ABS systems and a number of axle upgrades. This guarantees a Marshall trailer can meet current legal requirements now and any EU legislation that could potentially be introduced in the future.

  • What is the best running gear; rockers or springs?

    This is a question we are constantly asked by customers since the type of running gear will have a huge effect on how the machine performs. There is no definitive answer on which suspension system is better since they both have their own benefits and drawbacks.

    Split oscillating suspension or rockers as it is better known is ideal for machines that will carry high, potentially unstable loads as it eliminates lateral movement of the trailer ensuring the load can be safely transported. Crucially this is benefit is not achieved at the expense of ride quality since the tandems are still able move vertically and therefore allow the trailer to travel smoothly over rough ground. The stability of rockers makes them ideal on bale trailers, which are constantly transporting high loads, or on trailers working on steep ground.

    Marshalls rocking beams are all extremely heavy-duty, and are produced on site by our skilled engineers. In addition to the robust design, all our tandems utilise devlon bushes, which significantly reduces wear and prolongs the life of the rockers.

    The alternative to rockers is spring suspension, which is predominantly used on trailers carrying out a lot of road work. Springs provide an extremely smooth ride and perform better than rockers can on the road, particularly at higher speeds. This type of suspension also allows air brakes with load sensing to be fitted; automatic load sensing does not work on rocker tandem suspension. However the main disadvantage of springs is that they do allow lateral movement of the trailer, making them less stable on steep slopes or with higher loads.

    Whatever suspension set-up you prefer Marshalls offers either as a no-cost option, ensuring your next Marshall will be exactly what you want.

Dumper Trailers

  • What are the current regulations on agricultural trailer brakes?

    The law currently states that trailers travelling below 25mph have to have a braking efficiency of at least 25% (UK Road Vehicle Construction & Use Regulations). Above this speed it is unclear exactly what requirements an agricultural trailer has to meet, whether it is commercial braking requirements or still simply a 25% braking efficiency.

    There is currently EU legislation under discussion which would implement a 50% braking efficiency for agricultural trailers, but this has been already been debated for a number of years without it becoming law. It seems unlikely that it will be implemented within the next few years, if ever, since this would impose higher braking standards than required on commercial vehicles.

    Marshall products are fitted with hydraulic brakes as standard and on average provide a braking efficiency of 35%, which exceeds the current legal requirements. This impressive baseline performance is achieved by fitting high quality axles supplied by the world’s leading axle manufacturer, combined with enlarged 25mm brake cylinders and durable 2 wire hoses.

    Take time to examine the specifications of our models and take note of the brake sizes and axles sizes. In particular notice we fit commercial 420 x 180 10 stud axles as standard on our QM/14, QM/16, QM/1600 and QM1800 models; not 10 stud industrial axles, which provide significantly reduced performance. The way to tell the difference between these axles is a commercial axle uses an S-cam brake rode while an industrial axle uses a flat-cam brake rod.

    If a customer requires enhanced braking performance we also offer air brakes with loading sensing, full ABS systems and a number of axle upgrades. This guarantees a Marshall trailer can meet current legal requirements now and any EU legislation that could potentially be introduced in the future.

  • What is the best running gear; rockers or springs?

    This is a question we are constantly asked by customers since the type of running gear will have a huge effect on how the machine performs. There is no definitive answer on which suspension system is better since they both have their own benefits and drawbacks.

    Split oscillating suspension or rockers as it is better known is ideal for machines that will carry high, potentially unstable loads as it eliminates lateral movement of the trailer ensuring the load can be safely transported. Crucially this is benefit is not achieved at the expense of ride quality since the tandems are still able move vertically and therefore allow the trailer to travel smoothly over rough ground. The stability of rockers makes them ideal on bale trailers, which are constantly transporting high loads, or on trailers working on steep ground.

    Marshalls rocking beams are all extremely heavy-duty, and are produced on site by our skilled engineers. In addition to the robust design, all our tandems utilise devlon bushes, which significantly reduces wear and prolongs the life of the rockers.

    The alternative to rockers is spring suspension, which is predominantly used on trailers carrying out a lot of road work. Springs provide an extremely smooth ride and perform better than rockers can on the road, particularly at higher speeds. This type of suspension also allows air brakes with load sensing to be fitted; automatic load sensing does not work on rocker tandem suspension. However the main disadvantage of springs is that they do allow lateral movement of the trailer, making them less stable on steep slopes or with higher loads.

    Whatever suspension set-up you prefer Marshalls offers either as a no-cost option, ensuring your next Marshall will be exactly what you want.

Livestock Trailers / Containers

  • What are the current regulations on agricultural trailer brakes?

    The law currently states that trailers travelling below 25mph have to have a braking efficiency of at least 25% (UK Road Vehicle Construction & Use Regulations). Above this speed it is unclear exactly what requirements an agricultural trailer has to meet, whether it is commercial braking requirements or still simply a 25% braking efficiency.

    There is currently EU legislation under discussion which would implement a 50% braking efficiency for agricultural trailers, but this has been already been debated for a number of years without it becoming law. It seems unlikely that it will be implemented within the next few years, if ever, since this would impose higher braking standards than required on commercial vehicles.

    Marshall products are fitted with hydraulic brakes as standard and on average provide a braking efficiency of 35%, which exceeds the current legal requirements. This impressive baseline performance is achieved by fitting high quality axles supplied by the world’s leading axle manufacturer, combined with enlarged 25mm brake cylinders and durable 2 wire hoses.

    Take time to examine the specifications of our models and take note of the brake sizes and axles sizes. In particular notice we fit commercial 420 x 180 10 stud axles as standard on our QM/14, QM/16, QM/1600 and QM1800 models; not 10 stud industrial axles, which provide significantly reduced performance. The way to tell the difference between these axles is a commercial axle uses an S-cam brake rode while an industrial axle uses a flat-cam brake rod.

    If a customer requires enhanced braking performance we also offer air brakes with loading sensing, full ABS systems and a number of axle upgrades. This guarantees a Marshall trailer can meet current legal requirements now and any EU legislation that could potentially be introduced in the future.

  • What is the best running gear; rockers or springs?

    This is a question we are constantly asked by customers since the type of running gear will have a huge effect on how the machine performs. There is no definitive answer on which suspension system is better since they both have their own benefits and drawbacks.

    Split oscillating suspension or rockers as it is better known is ideal for machines that will carry high, potentially unstable loads as it eliminates lateral movement of the trailer ensuring the load can be safely transported. Crucially this is benefit is not achieved at the expense of ride quality since the tandems are still able move vertically and therefore allow the trailer to travel smoothly over rough ground. The stability of rockers makes them ideal on bale trailers, which are constantly transporting high loads, or on trailers working on steep ground.

    Marshalls rocking beams are all extremely heavy-duty, and are produced on site by our skilled engineers. In addition to the robust design, all our tandems utilise devlon bushes, which significantly reduces wear and prolongs the life of the rockers.

    The alternative to rockers is spring suspension, which is predominantly used on trailers carrying out a lot of road work. Springs provide an extremely smooth ride and perform better than rockers can on the road, particularly at higher speeds. This type of suspension also allows air brakes with load sensing to be fitted; automatic load sensing does not work on rocker tandem suspension. However the main disadvantage of springs is that they do allow lateral movement of the trailer, making them less stable on steep slopes or with higher loads.

    Whatever suspension set-up you prefer Marshalls offers either as a no-cost option, ensuring your next Marshall will be exactly what you want.

  • How do you remove a cattle container from its host trailer?

    There are two main options for removing a Marshall cattle container from its host trailer; when using either method ensure that ratchet securing straps are removed before lifting and please follow proper safety procedures.

    The first method involves attaching straps to lift eyes located on the top corners of Marshall containers and then using a tele-handler to lift the container off; in some cases it might be safer to use two tele-handler. Once the container has been lifted from the host trailer simply drive the host trailer away and place the container on the ground.

    The second option for removing a container is only available to customers who specified lifting channels to be installed; these are simply two lengths of box section that run across the width of the container. The benefit of these is that they allow a tele-handler to place its forks in the box section and safely lift the container off; ideal for customer with smaller tele-handlers that do not have the necessary height to use the lifting eyes.

    Marshalls strongly recommends cleaning out any container before removing and storing; this will significantly increase its life span.

Muck Spreaders

  • What are the current regulations on agricultural trailer brakes?

    The law currently states that trailers travelling below 25mph have to have a braking efficiency of at least 25% (UK Road Vehicle Construction & Use Regulations). Above this speed it is unclear exactly what requirements an agricultural trailer has to meet, whether it is commercial braking requirements or still simply a 25% braking efficiency.

    There is currently EU legislation under discussion which would implement a 50% braking efficiency for agricultural trailers, but this has been already been debated for a number of years without it becoming law. It seems unlikely that it will be implemented within the next few years, if ever, since this would impose higher braking standards than required on commercial vehicles.

    Marshall products are fitted with hydraulic brakes as standard and on average provide a braking efficiency of 35%, which exceeds the current legal requirements. This impressive baseline performance is achieved by fitting high quality axles supplied by the world’s leading axle manufacturer, combined with enlarged 25mm brake cylinders and durable 2 wire hoses.

    Take time to examine the specifications of our models and take note of the brake sizes and axles sizes. In particular notice we fit commercial 420 x 180 10 stud axles as standard on our QM/14, QM/16, QM/1600 and QM1800 models; not 10 stud industrial axles, which provide significantly reduced performance. The way to tell the difference between these axles is a commercial axle uses an S-cam brake rode while an industrial axle uses a flat-cam brake rod.

    If a customer requires enhanced braking performance we also offer air brakes with loading sensing, full ABS systems and a number of axle upgrades. This guarantees a Marshall trailer can meet current legal requirements now and any EU legislation that could potentially be introduced in the future.

  • How do you prolong the life of a rotor-spreader?

    The Marshall rotor-spreader is designed to be simple and effective; ensuring that customers will not be let down. However proper maintenance and care is also essential and can drastically improve the life of a spreader. The most straight-forward and most obvious way to prolong the life of a spreader is to follow the maintenance instructions in the machine handbook; the information below highlights some of the more common problems and solutions.

    The easiest way to ensure your spreader lasts is to clean it out after use and never leave it full of muck and slurry, both are extremely corrosive to the paint and bodywork. It sounds like a simple piece of advice, but many people never wash their spreader.

    Another important maintenance job is making sure that the four bearings on a spreader are properly greased; one of either end of the rotor shaft and two on the input shaft. This simple task combined with the intelligent placement of bearings on a Marshall spreader will prolong the life of the bearings and prevent premature failure.

    Finally, the most important maintenance advice that any rotor-spreader owner should follow is to watch the flail chains for stretching. As any spreader is used the stresses on the flail chains cause them to stretch and scrap against the spreader drum; this can quickly cause holes in the drum if not rectified. The solution is to remove the pin holding each chain and move it one link further up to shorten the chain.

Rear Discharge Muck Spreaders

  • What are the current regulations on agricultural trailer brakes?

    The law currently states that trailers travelling below 25mph have to have a braking efficiency of at least 25% (UK Road Vehicle Construction & Use Regulations). Above this speed it is unclear exactly what requirements an agricultural trailer has to meet, whether it is commercial braking requirements or still simply a 25% braking efficiency.

    There is currently EU legislation under discussion which would implement a 50% braking efficiency for agricultural trailers, but this has been already been debated for a number of years without it becoming law. It seems unlikely that it will be implemented within the next few years, if ever, since this would impose higher braking standards than required on commercial vehicles.

    Marshall products are fitted with hydraulic brakes as standard and on average provide a braking efficiency of 35%, which exceeds the current legal requirements. This impressive baseline performance is achieved by fitting high quality axles supplied by the world’s leading axle manufacturer, combined with enlarged 25mm brake cylinders and durable 2 wire hoses.

    Take time to examine the specifications of our models and take note of the brake sizes and axles sizes. In particular notice we fit commercial 420 x 180 10 stud axles as standard on our QM/14, QM/16, QM/1600 and QM1800 models; not 10 stud industrial axles, which provide significantly reduced performance. The way to tell the difference between these axles is a commercial axle uses an S-cam brake rode while an industrial axle uses a flat-cam brake rod.

    If a customer requires enhanced braking performance we also offer air brakes with loading sensing, full ABS systems and a number of axle upgrades. This guarantees a Marshall trailer can meet current legal requirements now and any EU legislation that could potentially be introduced in the future.

  • What are the benefits of the Marshall Vesuvius Vantage pushing ram design and why are Marshall Trailers the only manufacturer to use it?

    Simply the pushing ram system in a Vesuvius Vantage is a patented design that cannot be copied by any other manufacturer. It is a revolutionary concept that provides huge benefits over the traditional floor chain design. The simple design means there is very little that can go wrong and results in the Vantage being an extremely reliable spreader. In addition there is virtually no maintenance; the operator merely has to grease the bearings on the rotor and drive shaft and keep the gearbox full of oil. The removal of the floor chains means that the spreader can have a deeper box, lowering its of gravity and making it more stable. Finally there is no need for a gearbox to drive any floor chains, which allows the rear axle to be moved further back; reducing weight transfer beyond the axle during spreading.

    These are only some of the benefits that the Marshall Vesuvius Vantage has, for more information please refer to our VES1500VES2000 & VES2500 pages.

Tankers

  • What are the current regulations on agricultural trailer brakes?

    The law currently states that trailers travelling below 25mph have to have a braking efficiency of at least 25% (UK Road Vehicle Construction & Use Regulations). Above this speed it is unclear exactly what requirements an agricultural trailer has to meet, whether it is commercial braking requirements or still simply a 25% braking efficiency.

    There is currently EU legislation under discussion which would implement a 50% braking efficiency for agricultural trailers, but this has been already been debated for a number of years without it becoming law. It seems unlikely that it will be implemented within the next few years, if ever, since this would impose higher braking standards than required on commercial vehicles.

    Marshall products are fitted with hydraulic brakes as standard and on average provide a braking efficiency of 35%, which exceeds the current legal requirements. This impressive baseline performance is achieved by fitting high quality axles supplied by the world’s leading axle manufacturer, combined with enlarged 25mm brake cylinders and durable 2 wire hoses.

    Take time to examine the specifications of our models and take note of the brake sizes and axles sizes. In particular notice we fit commercial 420 x 180 10 stud axles as standard on our QM/14, QM/16, QM/1600 and QM1800 models; not 10 stud industrial axles, which provide significantly reduced performance. The way to tell the difference between these axles is a commercial axle uses an S-cam brake rode while an industrial axle uses a flat-cam brake rod.

    If a customer requires enhanced braking performance we also offer air brakes with loading sensing, full ABS systems and a number of axle upgrades. This guarantees a Marshall trailer can meet current legal requirements now and any EU legislation that could potentially be introduced in the future.

  • What can you do prolong the life of your slurry tanker?

    The answer to this question comes in two parts; the first is to operate the tanker correctly and the second is to follow the correct maintenance procedures.

    When filling the tanker only run the PTO up to the speed that the tanker begins to fill; increasing PTO speed beyond this point does not decrease the filling time of the tanker. This prevents the pump working unnecessarily and reduces the chances of overfilling. It is also important to note that the tanker should not be filled beyond the level of the sight glass as doing so can potentially damage the pump. Marshall tankers are fitted with two slurry traps to minimise the risk of slurry reaching the pump if the tanker is overfilled. The first of these traps is located inside the main tank and the second is located in the syphon box mounted on the front of the tanker. The valve at the bottom of the syphon box should be opened regularly to allow any slurry to escape before it overflows the trap and reaches the pump.

    The tanker PTO should be used in 540RPM mode and PTO speed should not exceed 350RPM. The tanker should also not be turned while the PTO is running and the pump should only be engaged and disengaged at low revs. In addition the oilers on the pump have to be set at one drop every one to two seconds to ensure the pump operates smoothly.

    Maintenance wise it is extremely important to check the oil levels on the pump regularly, as the oil fed to the pump by the oilers is completely lost. This can be checked via the dip-stick and should be kept above the mark; SAE 20 or similar oil should be used. The gearbox at the front of the pump should also be kept filled with SAE 90 oil to the level on the sight glass located on the side of the pump.

    To help prolong the life of the pump it is advisable, after every 25 working hours, to pass diesel through it. This can be done by placing the pump in the pressure position and holding the container of diesel up to the exhaust on the pump the diesel will be sucked up through the pump and will wash out the entire pump. KEEP THE PUMP TURNING for around 30 seconds then change the pump from pressure to vacuum – note the foul diesel will pass out through the exhaust so some means of catching this is advisable to enable you to dispose of this correctly. Continue the pump running for around 30 seconds this greatly prolongs not only the pumps life but coats the top shut off valve. This procedure MUST only be completed when the pump is cold and DO NOT STOP THE PUMP UNTIL the diesel has dispersed fully.

    This article is not a replacement or substitute for the standard machine handbook, a copy of which is available here.

  • What is the best running gear; rockers or springs?

    This is a question we are constantly asked by customers since the type of running gear will have a huge effect on how the machine performs. There is no definitive answer on which suspension system is better since they both have their own benefits and drawbacks.

    Split oscillating suspension or rockers as it is better known is ideal for machines that will carry high, potentially unstable loads as it eliminates lateral movement of the trailer ensuring the load can be safely transported. Crucially this is benefit is not achieved at the expense of ride quality since the tandems are still able move vertically and therefore allow the trailer to travel smoothly over rough ground. The stability of rockers makes them ideal on bale trailers, which are constantly transporting high loads, or on trailers working on steep ground.

    Marshalls rocking beams are all extremely heavy-duty, and are produced on site by our skilled engineers. In addition to the robust design, all our tandems utilise devlon bushes, which significantly reduces wear and prolongs the life of the rockers.

    The alternative to rockers is spring suspension, which is predominantly used on trailers carrying out a lot of road work. Springs provide an extremely smooth ride and perform better than rockers can on the road, particularly at higher speeds. This type of suspension also allows air brakes with load sensing to be fitted; automatic load sensing does not work on rocker tandem suspension. However the main disadvantage of springs is that they do allow lateral movement of the trailer, making them less stable on steep slopes or with higher loads.

    Whatever suspension set-up you prefer Marshalls offers either as a no-cost option, ensuring your next Marshall will be exactly what you want.