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"We think of them as 'The Everything Trucks' - that's what we designed them for, and that's just what they've turned out to be" says Keith Scully of Bothwell based Fincairn Contractors Ltd.
Better residual value
Founded just over a year ago, the pride of Fincairn's impressive 30-plus fleet are five Volvo FM eight wheelers fitted with Thompsons Loadmaster heavy duty steel tipping bodies. "The thing that first attracted us to Thompsons was that we noticed that a tipper fitted with a Thompsons body always had a better residual value; therefore there must be good reasons for that" continues Keith. "Then looking closely at all the jobs we wanted our tippers to do, the all-steel Loadmaster quickly looked to be by far the best bet" he adds.
Strength, durability and reliability
In common with many tipper operators today, Fincairn needs trucks that can turn their hand to almost everything. The prime requirements are strength, durability and reliability in each and every type of work. Trucks doing one job today are quite likely to be doing something entirely different tomorrow - this is what the modern tipper business is really all about.
Combined tailgate design
"Operationally, I have to say the Loadmasters have been absolutely perfect with no issues whatsoever. The whole package, complete with Binotto tipping gears and sheets has proved to be spot-on" says Keith. "When finalising the specification, we decided to go for the combined tailgate design that allows us both normal top hinged as well as optional barn door operation. This means that the back of the body can be completely unobstructed, which is vital when carrying outsize loads such as large rocks or concrete and wires from demolition sites".
Performance and versatility
Fitted with sleeper cabs, the Fincairn Volvos typically operate within 50 miles of Glasgow, but quite often on night as well as day operation. "If we need to send trucks for nights away, obviously with the sleepers we can" says Keith, adding that "for the moment, Fincairn is still a very young company, which is why our trucks have to be built to be able to handle each and every type of work that comes their way. The Loadmasters are absolutely terrific in allowing us all the performance and versatility to do exactly that."
Ever more imaginative body designs
A similar quest for maximum operating versatility also comes from haulier and aggregates supplier Iain Watt, but this time with a preferred solution from Charlton. Based in New Cumnock, the star of Iain's 8 strong fleet is a new Scania 8x4 fitted with a Charlton InsuLite body that lets driver Martin Rennie work with any type of load from rubble and muckaway to aggregates and tarmac.
Now part of the Thompsons Group, Charlton continues to evolve new and ever more imaginative body designs that maximise on practicality, performance - and payload.
All in 1 truck
"Thanks to a friend's secondhand ERF eight wheeler" says Iain, "we've known for a long time that Charlton steel bodies were light. Our first actual experience operating a Charlton was with a DAF six wheeler that we bought a couple of years back" adds Iain, "and what amazed me was that even with its steel body we could still get a 16 tonne payload. From then on, we've always placed maximum importance on configuring trucks to give us the widest range of benefits - yes we want payload, but we want strength and reliability, too. These days, tipper hauliers need to be able to handle almost any task, so the search for the ideal 'All in 1' truck has never had a higher priority."
As a result, Iain's new 380hp sleeper cabbed Scania features Charlton's latest all-steel InsuLite body fitted with a front to back electric Binotto sheeting system. Carrying capacity is a highly impressive 19,800 kgs, a figure with which Iain is delighted. "Remember, this body is made of premium steel AND is insulated" he says, adding that "with the Charlton we are only looking at a small weight penalty over an aluminium body - but just look at the extra operating versatility the InsuLite gives us! Not only that, but downtime due to body repairs should be a thing of the past, with the final benefit of the truck being a much more attractive proposition to a new owner when we come to sell it."
Payload-competitive
Already a well established Thompsons user, Yuill & Dodds has just put into service three new eight wheelers sporting not only Charlton high capacity steel BulkLite bodies but also a striking new livery. "Most of the work we do is better handled by a bulk body" says Brian Yuill, "but the fact is that alloy bodies have a much higher initial cost, but do not reflect this after three years in service. What we really want is the same payload capacity, but at lower initial cost. As well as being payload-competitive, a steel body like the BulkLite also has the added benefits of extra strength and ruggedness to handle the widest variety of payloads. The new Charlton vehicles typically give us a 19 tonnes carrying capacity, which is superb for a steel bodied bulker."
Key advantage
Looking at a truck's value at the end of its life is now also a key consideration for Yuill & Dodds, and here Charlton bodies offer a key advantage. With the second hand demand for bulkers typically slack, the horizontal BulkLite design - without any vertical pillars - makes removing the top section of the body easy.
The result? After remounting the sheet and modifying the tailgate - an entirely conventional 'high market demand' low height tipper body.
Reduced chassis weight
Another similar residual value consideration with these new trucks has been made in their chassis specification, namely a switch from heavy hub reduction to single reduction axles. "We've generally tended to go for the heavier back end" says Brian Yuill, "but the added cost at the outset just doesn't carry through to the residual. So these three Charlton tippers are running with the lighter axles - and whilst the jury will be out for a while on this subject - we also have to factor in the obvious attraction of reduced chassis weight."
And the new livery of the Charlton vehicles?
"In truth it's an evaluation project at the moment" says Brian, "but the reaction so far has been hugely positive. Liveries like this - that are easy to apply (and remove) - have significant cost benefits too. There may well be tweaks to come, but image is important and it's time to move ahead."
Exactly the solutions they need
With three tailor-made Thompsons and Charlton body designs giving their owners exactly the solutions they need, let us not forget that the majority of tipper operators remain totally satisfied with these bodybuilders market-proven standard products. The Dow Group for example, which took its first Loadmaster last year, has since put into service another four, with yet another four currently on order.
Designed for total practicality and reliability
Riskend Aggregates of Kilsyth is another business that has just bought its first ever Thompsons body - again a completely standard Loadmaster.
"This is just the thing we need" says director David Clelland, adding "you can see straight away that the Loadmaster has been designed for total practicality and reliability. It's heavy duty specification means that we can carry 19 tonnes of absolutely anything, making it a body that's ideal for everything from aggregates to demolition.
Clearly a league ahead
In terms of outright working potential, it's clearly a league ahead of any aluminium body, so this has to be the way to forward. It's also a modern body that looks good too, with smooth, single piece sides that are easy to signwrite and keep clean.
Rugged and robust in design with zero downtime - that's why we chose a Thompsons body."
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