Mac’s Truck Sales named exclusive UK on‑road Cranab dealer
14 July 20262 min read
The appointment marks a significant expansion of Cranab’s presence in the UK. While two other dealers handle off‑road forestry machinery, Mac’s Truck Sales is now the sole supplier for Cranab’s full on‑road crane and attachment range, covering timber, waste and specialist lifting applications.
To mark the new partnership, Mac’s has delivered the first UK on‑road Cranab installation: a highly customised DAF XD 450 6×2 rear‑steer rigid for Essex‑based CJ Ashby Forestry, a fourth‑generation timber contractor supplying JS Wright & Sons — the world’s largest merchant of English cricket‑bat willow. The first build follows Cranab’s strong reputation in Europe’s timber sector and Mac’s growing presence in engineered rigid solutionsA bespoke rigid engineered for tight rural access
Cricket‑bat willow is typically grown in narrow rural lanes and constrained farmyards, making CJ Ashby’s existing articulated crane wagons unsuitable for many sites. The operator worked with Mac’s Truck Sales to engineer a multi‑purpose rigid capable of accessing locations that larger combinations cannot reach.
The resulting build features:
Mac’s cheesewedge body, designed to operate as both a plant‑carrier and timber truck
Removable timber pins for rapid changeover between duties
Cranab TZ 12.2 crane, lifting 1,060 kg at 9.7 metres
Cranab CT35 timber grapple
Rear‑steer axle for maximum manoeuvrability
The truck transports plant tractors to remote felling sites, then switches to timber‑handling mode to extract and haul willow back to the sawmill.
Managing Director Colin Ashby says the new rigid fills a critical gap in the fleet:
“This DAF is our targeted solution for highly restrictive sites. It will work incredibly hard accessing timber that nothing else in our fleet can reach.”
Mac’s Truck Sales Technical Director Andy Hall says the Cranab appointment strengthens the company’s specialist vehicle capabilities:
“Being the exclusive UK on‑road Cranab dealer is a major milestone. Cranab produces some of the most robust, high‑performance lifting equipment in the timber, forestry and waste sectors. Pairing their cranes with our bespoke bodybuilding allows us to deliver highly versatile vehicles built for the toughest environments.”
The first build follows Cranab’s strong reputation in Europe’s timber sector and Mac’s growing presence in engineered rigid solutions. The new partnership is expected to bring further bespoke crane‑equipped vehicles to UK operators over the coming years.
