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15 April 2008

Thwaites has moved up a weight category with the launch of its Alldrive 10 tonne capacity front tipping site dumper. Described as a “genuine 10-tonner, not a converted 9-tonner,” by sales director Ian Brown, the new machine has several distinguishing features.

These include a new chassis design which is significantly stronger than that of the company's 9 tonne model, the use of high strength Domex 460 steel from SSAB to reduce the machine's dead weight, and the incorporation of a powerful 94 kW Perkins engine.

On the frame, Thwaites has developed a rear chassis which is 100 mm deeper than its 9 tonne dumper's. The company has also beefed-up the 'Kinglink', Thwaites' unique articulation joint, which allows both sideways articulation and vertical oscillation. The 80 mm diameter pin and 115 mm bearing were designed specifically for the 10 tonne model.

Power comes from a 4,4 litre Perkins 1104C diesel engine, which is turbo charged and after-cooled. This generates 97 kW – +30% more than on Thwaites' 9 tonne model. The power train comprises a four-speed ITL powershuttle transmission (powershift is also available) and Borg Warner torque converter, which drives a pair of rigid Dana axles. The rear unit is a standard Dana 112, but at the front Thwaites has specified a 112 HD (heavy duty) axle to cope with the high forces and shock loadings due to the skip above.

Capacity

The skip itself makes extensive use of 5 mm thick Domex 460 steel from Swedish manufacturer SSAB for the sides and top rail. This impact resistant plate helps increase strength without adding mass, helping to bring in the Alldrive 10 tonne's unladen weight at 4,76 tonnes (including operator).

The skip's heaped capacity is 4,7 m3. Its water carrying capacity is 2615 litres, +2,8% greater than the 2545 l of the 9 tonne Alldrive model. Although this figure does not particularly reflect the dumper's 10 tonne safe load capacity, it is a measure that Thwaites prefers as sales manager Dave Chuck explained. “We benchmark on the water capacity – you can't lie on that, but other measures are a bit more subjective,” he said.

With such a large load in front of the driver visibility is a concern, but according to Thwaites, its new dumper meets all the key requirements. With the skip unladen a 1,5 m high pole – representing a person – placed 1 m from any edge of the machine is visible by the operator.

The company has also achieved the other crucial test of being able to see a 1 m cube – representing a person bending down – 12 m from the machine.

Market

Thwaites is up-beat about the prospects for its latest machine. As Mr Chuck said, “Big is beautiful.” He continued, “This industry started with one and two-tonne dumpers, but they've always go bigger. Sites are also getting more compact, so some jobs that used to be done with dump trucks are now done with site dumpers.”

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