Having just gone in to service with Knottingley based Plasmor Concrete Products, a pair of Thompsons latest-design curved floor Multimaster bodies are already delivering distinct advantages over the tippers they replaced.

Unlike a conventional body with a 90 degree interface between the floor and the sides, Multimaster's gently curved floor enables easier ejection of wet and sticky loads. This clean tipping attribute is exactly what Plasmor needed, as their tippers are principally employed bringing large amounts of wet, lumpy clay into the company's Great Heck production site.

"Our new Multimasters are significantly more efficient on this task than the bodies we had before" says Transport Manager John Hardstaff. "Not only is load ejection quicker, easier and more complete, but we are also achieving a 20 tonne payload too. The trucks only work short round trips between loading and tipping, so the faster the turnaround the greater their daily productivity."

The latest Multimaster is a body design that immediately lends itself to a huge variety of payloads, and to amplify the point Thompsons can build it either in steel, aluminium or a combination of both. Given the fact that clay is not particularly abrasive, Plasmor chose aluminium for thie bodies, whilst also specifying raised bodyside extensions. With a resulting 20cu.m. internal capacity, bulky loads are easily and safely contained.

A direct result of Thompsons continuing investment into its design and production capabilities, the Multimaster offers outstanding structural integrity without the need for crossmembers or vertical ribs to the body sides. "These bodies not only work efficiently but look thoroughly modern as well" adds John Hardstaff. "Their clean lines, smooth sides and tailgate are both totally practical in operation as well as easy to keep clean, which in turn helps us to present an attractive and professional image."

Supplied complete with long-stroke Binotto MFC front end tipping gears and fully electric Thompsons Covermaster front to rear sheeting systems, Plasmor's new eight wheelers are each moving up to 160 tonnes of material every day.

Greater efficiency and higher productivity - that's what the Multimasters are giving us" concludes John Hardstaff.