AutoLift has hydraulic cylinders in the rear corner posts to raise the whole tailgate assembly. This, says Thompsons, creates a 25% larger rear body aperture. The tailgate panel is held in an open horizontal position, meaning the assembly is held clear of the exiting payload.
Once the load is ejected and the body lowered, AutoLift then lowers the tailgate into a fixed closed position secured by lugs on the rearmost side of the corner posts.
Operated up and down by a single switch inside the cab, AutoLift is said to make tipping easier, faster and safer as well as reducing the possibility of damage to the vehicle.
“Over the years, the heavy-duty,double-skinned Loadmaster has proved to be a remarkable piece of equipment, able to carry anything and everything with next to zero maintenance issues or downtime,” says Steve Stacey, company director.
“We buy the best tipper bodies we possibly can, so we now specify our Loadmasters with Thompsons’ AutoLift hydraulic tailgate as well.”
He adds: “AutoLift significantly increases the overall performance of the vehicle and, over the life of the truck, more than pays for itself. It also adds to the residual value of the truck when we sell it.”