Thompsons tips in with new vehicles for Lancashire county council 25 June 2012

Lancashire County Council has taken delivery of several Thompsons-bodied vehicles to address almost any transport or highways requirement.

The vehicles joining the council's 1,000-plus fleet are 4x2 and 6x4 tipper grabs, and 8x4 hookloaders.

"In engineering terms, we are always looking for that bit extra from our truck bodies – something that will make the vehicle that bit more productive, efficient or safer and easier to use," comments LCC's fleet specifications engineer Mark Wilkinson.

A pair of new 18 tonnes gvw 4x2 tipper grabs illustrates this requirement. Long a favourite with many councils and utilities, the Thompsons Workmaster tipper body is a practical, sturdy, easy to use double dropside design.

But mounted on 220bhp DAF LF chassis, LCC's Workmaster bodywork and associated equipment have been taken to a higher level. In this guise, the floors and dropsides are also insulated for carrying asphalt.

To make life easier and safer for the truck's crew, the double skinned steel dropsides feature Thompsons own spring-assisted design, providing safer, controlled lowering and much easier lifting.

The bodies also feature a manual sheeting system, providing both for maximum load security and additional heat retention for hot tarmac. Opening of the tailgate is also somewhat different, being pneumatically controlled as the body is raised.

"Our operating requirement is generally for a minimum 10 year working life," comments Wilkinson. "And whilst these bodies are built for reliability and durability, the unladen weight of the truck is a very acceptable 8,640kg, which includes its crane, stability legs and grab."

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
DAF Trucks Ltd
Thompsons Group

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