Haulers can come in many different sizes, but now they are playing a key role in everything from dust suppression through to fuel savings and sustainability targets in the quarrying and aggregates sector.
Versatility and adaptability are words that can get thrown around when describing machinery in quarrying and aggregates.
But a new venture by Hydex and Hills Machinery has shown why the Rokbak RA30 and RA40 articulated dump trucks (ADTs) embody those traits.
The new joint venture has upfitted the Rokbak ADTs with high-performance water tanks, transforming them into serious dust-suppression options for quarries.
The new inclusions include large water tanks (22,712.47L for the RA30 and 34,068.71L for the RA40) and advanced spray and pumping systems with multiple spray bars and nozzles.
Also included is an American-made Elkhart water cannon, which can reach distances in excess of 65m, and operators can adjust the flow rate to suit the application. The rear-mounted electric hose reel, Berkeley hydraulic water pump and optional suction system complete the versatile dust suppression solution.
“This is about using a proven platform to meet a pressing and growing need,” Rokbak director of sales for the Americas Robert Franklin said. “The RA30 and RA40 give contractors the power, manoeuvrability and durability they need in a base machine. And now, with this adaptation, we’re showing just how far that platform can go.”
The innovation was shaped by industry feedback. Long-time Rokbak dealer Hills Machinery noticed how contractors around North Carolina wanted haulers capable of more than just hauling.
“We work with Rokbak on a daily basis and believe those to be the best two trucks to outfit these tanks with,” Hills Machinery and Hydex president Jim Hills said.
“These tanks are serious pieces of equipment in their own right. But what makes them truly effective is the machine underneath – the Rokbak hauler that keeps everything moving and delivers the power, even in the roughest terrain.”
Rokbak has received positive feedback from customers through the real-world demonstrations of its A30 and A40 articulated haulers.
The equipment demonstrations are playing a key role in Rokbak showcasing its solutions in new and emerging markets. These real-world demonstrations enable customers to make an informed decision when it comes to purchasing a new hauler for their fleet.
“Demos showcase the best of Rokbak operational features,” Rokbak product manager Scott Pollock said. “But, most importantly, they allow operators to truly understand how a Rokbak hauler performs where it matters most – on their job site.”
Rokbak provides tailored support around these demonstrations, including operator training and technical guidance. From there, operators and fleet managers can test the equipment and verify Rokbak’s claims.
For its part, Rokbak ensures its claims are transparent, verifiable and grounded in real-world results, which can be proven in real job-site conditions.
As part of the demonstrations, Rokbak provides customers with the opportunity to experience fully-equipped demo trucks in site conditions. Customers can assess the fuel efficiency, payload capacity and ease of operation on their own sites in real-time. Rokbak also uses insights from the demonstrations to refine its approach and better meet customer needs.
The RA30 hauler has been used in a wide range of applications, including quarries, infrastructure developments and commercial construction projects. Customers have reportedly appreciated the independent front suspension, which comes as standard. The RA40 is a heavier-duty hauler suited to large-scale quarry, mine and construction jobs.
This demonstration-based approach also supports customers looking at Rokbak options from an emerging market or region.
“Everything we do is to help customers understand what Rokbak brings to the table,” Pollock said. “It’s about trust, clarity and seeing the difference for yourself.”
Fuelling sustainability
L Lynch Plant Hire has underlined its commitment to sustainability with a major investment in its new articulated dump trucks and dozers.
The investment enabled the UK rental business to equip its new fleet additions with the FuelActive clean fuel delivery system. It comes after months of on-site testing to verify the benefits of FuelActive’s system.
“We had 10 identical ADTs, all doing the same route, being loaded by the same machine, at the same weight. That enabled us to be completely fair,” L Lynch Plant Hire’s head of major projects and innovation James Bardon said. “We used OEM [original equipment manufacturer] telemetry to compare 960 data points over 5000 operating hours. The machines with the FuelActive system averaged a 3.6 per cent fuel saving. That’s equal to a £9000 reduction in fuel over a year across the 10 trucks, taking 20 tonnes of CO2 out of the atmosphere.”
“All new ADTs and dozers will have FuelActive installed before they are sent to site. We are also reviewing the installation for excavators and other equipment and expect to install these later this year.”
The UK business estimates it has installed 50 fuel delivery systems so far. The team at L Lynch Plant Hire initially investigated working with FuelActive as a way to negate downtime. Now that the results have proven so successful, it plans to continue adding systems to its rental fleet.
“On some projects, for whatever the reason, the fuel has been contaminated with water and the machines now are so sensitive, especially if they are running SCR [selective catalytic reduction]. Any small amount of water can bring that machine to a stop,” Bardon said.
“That leads to downtime for our customer, which is what we are trying to avoid. From the instant that we installed FuelActive, we have never had a case of fuel contamination stopping a machine that is fitted with the system from operating.
“However, we also discovered that there was a fuel-saving to be had, as the system is always pulling clean fuel from the tank, allowing the engine to operate more efficiently, which was an added bonus.
“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Lynch, and we are always striving for marginal gains across the fleet. FuelActive has given us the potential to save thousands of pounds for customers and tonnes of CO2. The beauty of the product is that it works alongside other technologies that we are using to reduce emissions and is very easy to install with a short return on investment.”
Bringing the boom
Develon has unveiled its new parts distribution centre in Belgium, supporting its strategy for the European market.
The company marked the milestone with a ceremony attended by Develon chief executive officer Seung-Hyun Oh, customers, logistics partners and industry stakeholders.
“The opening of our Belgium PDC [parts distribution centre] represents a critical first step in our customer- and market-oriented strategy. It is a strategic investment to deliver faster, more stable and more responsive services for our valued European customers,” Oh said.
Develon launched its operations in the European market in 1994. The company also previously operated a parts distribution centre in Germany. The new Belgium facility, located in Boom, features a 24,000m² area and an inventory of 47,000 stock units. Develon will collaborate with logistics provider Fiege to deliver support to its customer base in the European construction equipment market.
“This achievement is the result of the hard work and dedication of our employees and partners,” Oh said.
“We deeply appreciate the trust and support of our European customers, and we will continue to build a better future together based on mutual trust and innovation.” AB
