These days, general purpose three axle tippers seem to be a rare breed. Instead, larger 8x4s are deemed to be much more efficient. Is this really the case? “Not at all” says Derbyshire – based JC Balls & Sons, which has just put into service three top – spec 6×4 tippers each fitted with Thompsons’ lightest all – steel body, the Stonemaster.
Serving their local Midlands construction industry with an unusually diverse and versatile vehicle fleet, six wheel tippers have always been a core vehicle for JC Balls. Today, their latest ‘66’ – reg trucks go on the road, immediately recognizable in the company’s highly distinctive red and grey livery.
Built on 350hp Mercedes – Benz Arocs chassis, each truck has an all – steel single skinned Stonemaster body complete with a rear opening hatch built into its air operated tailgate. Ready to run, unladen weight is a highly competitive 10,700kgs, thereby providing a clear 15 tonnes payload.
As Jamie Balls points out;
“6×4 tippers have a gross weight 6 tonnes less than an eight wheeler, but in practice our new trucks will carry just 4 tonnes less. Six wheelers are also much more manoeuvrable, which suits many of our local Derbyshire roads better than an 8×4. And, of course, the lighter trucks are also considerably cheaper to buy and operate.
For us, the 6×4 tipper is a supremely versatile vehicle, with these latest Thompsons Stonemasters offering a greater performance potential than ever.”
A long time user of Thompsons bodies, JC Balls & Sons specified a rear opening hatch in each of their new Stonemaster tailgates so as to make the trucks ideal for working on the company’s long – standing local highways contracts. Employed on these duties during the summer months, the rest of the year will see the new Arocs on general purpose tipping work, doing everything from delivering aggregates to site work and muckaway.
“For us, versatility and reliability are everything” says partner Chris Balls, adding “we’re confident these trucks will perform better than ever. We’ve already had years of experience with Thompsons bodies, and we know they will stand up to any job we put them to. Despite being built completely in steel, Stonemasters give a really good payload, which makes these new trucks highly productive. As well as being super – durable, Thompsons bodies are clean, modern designs with the highest build quality and paint finish.
We tend to keep our trucks a long time, so it pays to get their specifications right at the outset!”
Founded in 1963 with a single digger, JC Balls & Sons is now a third generation family company that has built its success on delivering the highest possible level of customer service.
Speaking for Thompsons, sales manager Ian Chaplin says;
“We are delighted to have once again delivered the precise bodywork specification that JC Balls required. It’s noteworthy too that the 6×4 Stonemaster specification can produce tippers of such efficiency and productivity.”