Apparatus for melting and dispensing thermoplastic material including a hopper (11) for receiving solid thermoplastic material, a flow-through grid melter (12) secured to the bottom of the hopper and a reservoir (13) mounted beneath the grid melter. A pump (14a) is mounted in the bottom of the reservoir and is connected to the reservoir outlet via a flow passage which contains a gate valve (21) operable to enable the passage to be blocked and the pump removed for repair or replacement without the need to first drain the reservoir of molten material. The pump is driven by a motor (115a) which is mounted upon a pivotally supported plate (120a) such that the motor may be easily and quickly disconnected from the pump to further facilitate quick repair or replacement of the pump.