ACE Plant to demonstrate Dromone ‘Ball & Spoon’ hitch at Hillhead 2026

ACE Plant Ltd will showcase the Dromone D80 ‘Ball & Spoon’ hitch at Hillhead 2026, underlining their focus on improving towing safety and reducing exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) in construction environments.

WBV – often captured within musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in Health and Safety Executive data – remains a major contributor to back pain and spinal issues. MSDs account for around 7.1 million lost working days annually in the UK, with construction identified as a high-risk sector. Overall, work-related ill health and injury results in approximately 40.1 million lost days each year, highlighting the significant impact of poor towing practices on workforce well-being.

Now being introduced across ACE Plant’s towable fleet, the Dromone D80 Ball & Spoon hitch system is designed to enhance coupling safety, reduce the risk of trailer breakaways, and minimize long-term health risks associated with poor towing techniques. Supplied through Lynx Engineering and tailored for construction applications, the system offers improved stability, security, and ease of use, helping to address the root causes of operator fatigue, spinal strain, and chronic back pain.

By integrating the D80 system, ACE Plant Ltd are future-proofing their fleet while setting higher standards in safety, compliance, towing performance, and operator welfare. At Hillhead 2026, the Dromone D80 Ball & Spoon hitch, paired with the company’s safety chain solution, will be demonstrated in a live dust-suppression application using a DSU with rain gun and spinning disc. The setup not only highlights effective site dust control but also showcases how the system helps reduce whole-body vibration for operators.

Neil Hedley, operations manager at ACE Plant, commented: ‘Safety is always our number one priority. With a 100% safety record in our operating practices, we wanted to take it a step further by addressing the effects of whole-body vibration caused by towing trailers and ancillary equipment in both the construction and agricultural sectors.

‘The Dromone D80 Ball & Spoon Hitch is an intelligent, easy-to-use system that reduces WBV exposure and minimizes the risk of breakaways. We want to raise awareness of these issues and ensure all instances are reported and addressed, rather than waiting until accidents occur.’

He continued: ‘As UK specialists in sustainable hire, electric vehicles, and innovative towing solutions, ACE Plant continues to lead the way in operator well-being and safe construction practices by championing products like the Dromone D80.’