Flat Racks in Lancashire – The Solution for Oversized Cargo
Businesses across Lancashire frequently face challenges transporting large, heavy, or unusually shaped items. Standard shipping containers offer excellent security for general cargo but cannot accommodate oversized plant machinery, wide loads, or extensive piping. This is where flat rack containers provide an essential transport solution.
Acorn Containers supplies a range of flat rack containers specifically to businesses operating within Lancashire. These specialised units feature open sides and often have collapsible end walls, making the loading and securing of non-standard cargo significantly easier and safer. Whether you operate in Preston, Manchester, Liverpool, or any other part of the county, we deliver robust, compliant flat racks directly to your site.
Why Choose Flat Racks for Your Lancashire Business?
Transporting oversized or heavy industrial equipment presents unique logistical hurdles. Flat racks overcome these challenges by providing a sturdy, open platform. They are engineered to handle significant weight and offer multiple lashing points to secure even the most complex loads. This makes them ideal for a wide array of applications relevant to Lancashire's diverse industries, including manufacturing, construction, and logistics.
Using flat racks ensures your cargo remains secure during transit via road, rail, or sea. Their design simplifies the loading process, often allowing for top or side access using cranes or forklifts, which is crucial for machinery or materials that cannot fit through standard container doors. For Lancashire businesses needing to move plant, vehicles, or large components, flat racks offer unparalleled flexibility and reliability.
20ft Flat Rack Containers for Lancashire Transport
Our 20ft flat racks serve as a highly versatile and robust option for transporting bulky but not excessively long items within or from Lancashire. These units balance compact external dimensions with a strong load-bearing capacity. Their end walls fold flat, a significant advantage for efficient storage and cost-effective return transport when empty – particularly useful for Lancashire-based operations managing multiple projects.
These 20ft flat racks are fully ISO certified and CSC plated, guaranteeing their suitability for both domestic transport throughout the UK and international shipping. We offer these containers for hire or purchase across Lancashire, providing flexible options to meet your specific project needs.
Key Features for Businesses in Lancashire
- ISO certified and CSC plated for reliable transport
- Collapsible end walls simplify stacking and storage on your Lancashire premises
- Available in standard flat rack or platform (flatbed) configurations
- Hire or purchase options tailored for Lancashire businesses
- Delivered directly to your site anywhere in Lancashire
20ft Flat Rack Specifications
| Feature | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| External Dimensions | 6m x 2.43m x 2.6m | 20’ x 8’ x 8’6” |
| Internal Dimensions | 5.8m x 2.4m x 2.3m | 19’6.4” x 7’9.5” x 7’5.5” |
| Tare Weight | 2,740 kg | 6,040 lbs |
| Max Gross Weight | 34,000 kg | 74,950 lbs |
| Max Payload | 31,260 kg | 68,860 lbs |
| Structure | Spring folding ends, timber floor, forklift pockets | |
| Fork Pocket Distance | 2,050 mm | 6’8.5” |
40ft Flat Rack Containers Delivered Across Lancashire
For the largest and heaviest loads typical of Lancashire's industrial sector, our 40ft flat rack containers provide the necessary capacity and structural integrity. These units serve businesses transporting extensive components, multiple vehicles, or exceptionally heavy machinery that exceeds the limitations of smaller containers. Their extended length accommodates longer items easily.
Just like their 20ft counterparts, these 40ft flat racks feature collapsible end walls for efficient stacking and storage when not in use. They are fully compliant with ISO standards and hold a valid CSC plate, making them suitable for rigorous domestic transport throughout Lancashire and beyond. Acorn Containers provides reliable delivery of these large units using appropriate vehicles, including HIAB-assisted trucks where required for offloading at your Lancashire site.
Key Features for Businesses in Lancashire
- Maximum capacity flat rack format for large Lancashire projects
- Fully ISO compliant and CSC plated for dependable transport
- End walls fold flat for efficient stacking
- Suitable for diverse heavy and oversized cargo
- Delivered UK-wide, including all areas of Lancashire
40ft Flat Rack Specifications
| Feature | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| External Dimensions | 12.19m x 2.43m x 2.6m | 40’ x 8’ x 8’6” |
| Internal Dimensions | 11.65m x 2.21m | 38’2.6” x 7’3.1” |
| Cubic Capacity | 52.9 m³ | 1,868 ft³ |
| Tare Weight | 4,950 kg | 10,910 lbs |
| Max Gross Weight | 45,000 kg | 99,210 lbs |
| Max Payload | 40,050 kg | 88,200 lbs |
| Structure | Spring folding ends, locking system, heavy-duty timber floor | |
Flat Rack Options and Delivery in Lancashire
Acorn Containers understands that each transport requirement is unique. We offer both 20ft and 40ft flat rack containers for immediate hire or purchase. Our team assists you in selecting the most appropriate size and type for your specific cargo and transport route within or from Lancashire. We manage the logistics of delivering the flat rack directly to your required location anywhere in the county.
Our delivery fleet includes vehicles equipped to handle and position flat racks safely at your site, including options for HIAB crane delivery where offloading assistance is necessary. We ensure a smooth process from initial enquiry to final placement of the container, allowing your Lancashire business to focus on preparing your cargo for transport.
Frequently Asked Questions about Flat Racks in Lancashire
What types of cargo are best suited for flat racks in Lancashire?
Flat racks are ideal for oversized, heavy, or irregularly shaped goods that do not fit into standard enclosed containers. This includes machinery, vehicles, large pipes, construction materials, steel structures, and plant equipment commonly transported within or from Lancashire.
Can I hire or purchase a flat rack in Lancashire?
Yes, Acorn Containers offers both flexible hire options and outright purchase for our 20ft and 40ft flat rack containers, catering to the varied needs of Lancashire businesses.
Do you deliver flat racks anywhere in Lancashire?
Absolutely. We provide nationwide delivery, including direct service to all locations within Lancashire, using appropriate transport for flat racks.
Are flat racks suitable for international shipping from Lancashire?
Yes, all our flat racks are ISO certified and CSC plated, making them fully compliant and suitable for international sea and rail transport from ports serving Lancashire.
How do you load cargo onto a flat rack?
Cargo is typically loaded from the top or sides using cranes, overhead gantries, or large forklifts, making it much easier to handle oversized items compared to standard containers.
What is the difference between a flat rack and a platform container?
A flat rack has end walls (which can be fixed or collapsible), while a platform container (often called a flatbed) has no end walls, essentially just a base and side rails. Both are used for oversized cargo, but the choice depends on the cargo and securing requirements.