Thompsons and Pegasus create a joint first with a new FMX Tridem tipper grab

Latest News | 14th Mar

The first Thompsons – bodied Volvo Tridem tipper grab has just gone into service with Midlands – based Pegasus Grab Hire.

Configured with a lifting and steering rear axle behind its double drive bogie, the new 420hp FMX offers significant advantages to tipper grab operation.

As Pegasus director Tony Hall notes;

“one of the most common applications for tipper grabs is doing pavement repairs and trenching work around congested highways and housing estates. In these environments, traditional eight wheelers with their conventional length wheelbases are often difficult to manoeuvre. The Tridem changes all that as it is effectively a shorter 6×4 with an additional lift – up axle behind the bogie.

For a truck of its size, the Tridem’s manoeuvrability in tight access situations is simply unmatched.”

Built with an all – steel, double – skinned Thompsons Loadmaster body and finished off with a Palfinger Epsilon crane and grab, this is a true heavy duty truck that can carry almost anything! Of particular significance, the relative rearwards positioning of the body and its load caused by the fitting of the crane means that the main weight of the truck is positioned directly over the three rear axles.

At the other end of the vehicle, wide single 385/65R22.5 tyres afford an increased 9 tonnes loading tolerance over the front steering axle.

“Out on the road”, says driver Steve White, “the Tridem drives like a dream. It’s exceptionally smooth and much easier to steer and position than a standard eight wheeler. In fact, you almost forget its an eight wheeler at all. And when I have to get the truck into precise positions for using the grab, lifting the rear axle effectively shortens its wheelbase to make everything so much easier – which also speeds up the whole job quite considerably.”

For Tony Hall, it’s this speeded up work capacity and productivity factor that really makes the Tridem concept worthwhile.

“We chose this truck purely for its added performance potential” he says “so by that yardstick the full – spec Loadmaster body is the only possible match for the chassis.”

Dudley – based Pegasus is now one of the leading Grab Hire companies in the West Midlands, offering a full range of specialist services in the removal of inert waste and excavated materials. As the company points out, employing one big truck such as the Tridem can be a lot more cost – effective than hiring a large number of skips! In addition to waste removal, Pegasus also supplies large quantities of sand and aggregates, either in bags or bulk.

Speaking for Thompsons, director Simon Shields comments;

“We are delighted that our Loadmaster body been chosen for such a pioneering vehicle. Thompsons and Pegasus already have a strong working relationship, with our Loadmasters working for them day – in, day – out with complete reliability.

The new Tridem takes both our companies another stage forward.”

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