Talbert Construction Equipment Co. was founded in 1938 by Austin Talbert in Lyons, Ill. to provide crane and construction machinery rental and heavy haul transport in the Chicago area.
In 1957 a new plant was built in Rensselaer, Ind. devoted to specialty trailer manufacturing. Ultimately, the facility in Lyons was closed as Mr. Talbert and his team focused on production of trailers in Indiana.
Talbert quickly became known for innovation. Ground breaking new ideas were introduced including:
- 1st lowbed removable gooseneck.
- 1st hydraulic removable gooseneck (non ground engaging)
- 1st trailer manufacturer to use high strength heat treated steel (T1A)
- 1st trailer manufacturer to design and incorporate air suspensions
- 1st trailer to use self steering axles.
Several of these innovations were patented, and remain in use today.
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