Quarry firm chooses Thompsons Loadmaster Lite bodies
Thompsons of Prudhoe purchase all-steel Loadmaster units for strength, durability and versatility
TWO new Volvo FMX trucks with all-steel Thompsons Loadmaster Lite bodies have recently entered service with Northumberland-based Thompsons of Prudhoe. Operating a fleet of 80 eight-wheelers, this is the first time tipper operators Thompsons of Prudhoe have chosen their namesake bodywork.
‘We are always looking to improve our tipper fleet specifications,’ said Ronnie McGrouther, transport manager for the company. ‘Thompsons have a strong reputation for building tipper bodies that are exceptionally strong, durable and long-lasting.
‘We buy trucks to run and keep for the long term, not just the first three years when most things are covered by warranty. Choosing the Loadmaster Lite model as the optimum body for our new Volvos wasn’t that difficult – it has a totally proven reputation while still offering very acceptable payload potential.’
Featuring a multi-purpose body design, the Loadmaster Lite body has been designed to deliver great operating versatility, so it is equally capable of handling everything from sand and gravel work through to muckaway and demolition applications.
Specified with heavy-duty 5mm Hardox floors, higher than standard 1.225m single-piece sides, electric sheeting and cab-operated Auto-Loc tailgates, the new 410hp sleeper cab FMX units provide a 18,500kg carrying capacity.
Mr McGrouther said: ‘In the old days, our new tipper chassis were usually fitted with alloy bodies and when these wore out and the trucks got older, we’d fit them with steel bodies made by ourselves as they’d spend the rest of their working lives on heavy-duty work such as site clearance and demolition.
‘Of course, we can’t do that now so more and more we’re looking for trucks that give us the best possible versatility, durability and longevity – all in a single package. We have great hopes for the Loadmaster/FMX combination because we know it’s already a highly successful package for other operators around the UK.’
Simon Shields, director for Thompsons, said he was delighted to have broken into one of the north of England’s most prestigious tipper fleets. ‘Thompsons of Prudhoe are a company with a solid, fully proven reputation for excellence, making them a genuine role model for our industry,’ he commented. ‘We are thrilled to have supplied two tipper bodies to them and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship into the future.’
