Bunning introduced a single tipping ram to provide more efficient hydraulic power, along with a 60-degree tipping angle enabling users to heap piles of beet.
Although synonymous with producing premium spreader models, Bunning has a long history of trailer manufacturing that predates its first spreader by several decades. So it is no surprise that the company's return to the trailer market has been welcomed by new and old customers alike.
Since it halted trailer production in 2010, Bunning has concentrated on spreader manufacturing, growing both UK and export markets and producing upwards of 400 per year.
LAMMA provided the launchpad to restart trailer production and, Ben Johnson, Bunning's UK and Ireland sales manager, explains this is down to several key factors.
Mr Johnson says: "Our factory expansion two years ago has allowed us the space to streamline the spreader production, but also free-up some useful floor area in some of the existing buildings.
"Coupled to this has been the continual customer requests to build trailers again, which we were motivated to meet. With the modernisations we have made to the trailer, we felt it was the right time to reintroduce the line."
Initially, Bunning is offering four models in 14 tonne, 16t, 18t and 20t versions and each model has Bunning's standard three-year warranty to match that of its spreaders 鈥� something that is almost unique in the trailer market and will appeal to farmers looking for consistent backup and longevity.
Bunning Trailer beginnings
Spreaders have been Bunning's sole focus for more than a decade, but the first Bunning trailer, a 6t tipping unit, was produced around 1963 at the company's Gressenhall factory in Norfolk.
The early days of trailer production were focused on building models to match customer requirements, with the motto 鈥榖uild it strong, keep it simple' essential to every build.
Mr Johnson says: "There was not a line of standard models sitting in the yard waiting for customers to collect. The orders were for bespoke trailers that suited customers' individual requirements for different crops and farming systems. As we built to order, users could spec trailers to their wishes."
Models included bespoke scissor lift, grain, beet, and silage trailers of various sizes and spec, along with high-tip agricultural dump trailers. Although trailers were sold nationwide, Bunning retailed many models into East Anglia and the eastern counties for specific purposes.
"A lot of farmers liked the modular build of the trailers, which meant they could use it throughout the year on a variety of tasks. Silage sides turned a grain or root trailer into a unit suitable for hauling grass and we built a lot of trailers for sugar beet farmers.
"The design of these was adapted to include a chamfered rear chassis allowing farmers to reverse over the grader without the trailer falling foul," Mr Johnson adds.
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Although trailers were one of the earliest Bunning products, the introduction of the spreader range in 1986, and subsequent growth and expansion of numerous models, meant the trailers were becoming a smaller part of the business.
Bunning kept developing and engineering more efficient trailers, such as introducing a single tipping ram as standard on all units in the mid 2000s to provide more efficient hydraulic power, along with a 60-degree tipping angle enabling users to heap piles of beet. However, in 2010, the decision was made to fully concentrate on the spreader production and stop building trailers.
"We had to go with the market demands and our spreader range was what customers wanted. When we stopped trailer production in 2010, spreader production was 95 per cent of the business.
"At such small numbers, it was becoming inefficient for the factory to accommodate these trailer builds and the floor space was required to produce spreaders," says Mr Johnson.
The decision proved correct as the spreader range has continued to expand to form a comprehensive line-up of twin vertical auger and horizontal beater and spinning disc machines from 6t up to 40t.
Bunning Factory expansion
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All available space has been required for spreader production over the past 14 years, but a 6,840sq.m factory extension on the existing site was completed in 2022, allowing a streamlined production process. Bunning has installed state of the art laser cutters and welders along with a new shotblasting and paint line for the spreaders.
"We have been gradually moving the spreader production from some of the older buildings to the new facility and, in doing so, this has freed up valuable floor space. Although spreader demand has remained consistent, we now have additional production capacity," says Mr Johnson.
Additional resources have been employed to ensure that trailers receive the same level of research, development, and customer support as the spreaders.
"There has been increasing demand from new and existing users, but also from some of our dealer network who do not have a dedicated trailer range. Our investment in the business infrastructure has opened the door to the trailer market again," adds Mr Johnson.
New Bunning Trailer models
The trailers are built on the design that was refined across several decades. It has been modernised in certain areas to improve strength, and some parts have been redesigned following customer feedback.
Bunning says its trailers will benefit from the experience gained from the expansion of the spreader range, such as modern production facilities and a high-quality paint line, which will be applied to the new trailers.
Mr Johnson says: "When we built the factory extension, we invested heavily in a 拢1.3 million paint line, which includes a dedicated preparation booth between shotblasting and painting, and a primer and topcoat applied to every machine. The trailers will receive this same treatment, which is a big appeal for users, and we pride ourselves on our paint finish."
Features used from earlier models include the 4mm thick steel sides, which only have one weld across the full length and a 5mm floor, offering further strength. A stronger 300x150mm chassis has also remained after Bunning introduced this on its pre-2010 trailers to improve longevity and strength.
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Key areas that have been modernised include a deeper top rail and wider rear corner posts, both now 80x120mm replacing the 80x80mm design, to improve strength and appearance of the trailers. Ben says the tailgate is the one area that has seen a complete redesign.
"The design office has worked hard to improve the tailgate. It is now tapered to the grain chute from either side to aid unloading, while hydraulic locking pins ensure a tighter seal to the body when it is closed.
"The grain hatch has been redesigned with plastic runners for easier operation and the whole trailer body is tapered from front to back by 100mm, which helps loads exit the trailer," says Mr Johnson.
The factory is processing trailer orders it has received since the trailer's launch at LAMMA 2024 and Ben says being flexible to accommodate customer demand is going to be a key factor.
"We want to listen to customer feedback and find solutions to their problems. We are offering a premium trailer range and we know customers will want flexibility when deciding on what to have.
"The extra space and capacity mean we can facilitate requests and provide customers with what they require," concludes Mr Johnson.
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