Every year, the Alberta-based FT Aggregates produces about 1 million tonnes of sand and gravel – the equivalent weight of eight CN Towers.
Each of the company’s trucks moves more than 100 loads and more than 5,000 tonnes of material to crushers and screeners every day.
When the time came to expand the FT Aggregates fleet, the company began working with Headwater Equipment and decided to purchase three Rokbak RA40 ADTs.
Earlie this year, the ADTs arrived on site at Pit 23, south of Camrose and were immediately put into production.
On site, excavators load overburden into the RA40’s 38 tonne all-welded body. Each RA40 at Pit 23 hauls the overburden and sand and gravel material for production. Fabricated from high hardness 1,000 Mpa yield strength steel, a dual slope tailchute eases the material ejection from the RA40 body, painted in the Rokbak sand-coloured aesthetic.
“First of all, we love the colour and design of the Rokbak dump trucks,” said FT Aggregates President Shane Smith. “Since the RA40s came onto site, the operator response has been nothing but glowing.”
Smith added the fuel efficiency aspect of the trucks is reducing their operating cost, while the auto-lube system, visibility and comfortable cab are translating to higher productivity.
“Together with the aftersales support we have received, when the time comes for us to increase our hauler fleet, Rokbak will certainly be at the top of the list,” he said.
RA40 performance
The fully automatic RA40 transmission provides efficient gear shifting, reduced fuel consumption and increased operator comfort. The cab has pressurized capabilities and a HVAC and air flow system to offer more control and comfort for operators.
The RA40 is also designed with an effective power-to-weight ratio, which ensures material is moved as quickly as possible in all conditions.
Rokbak’s fuel-efficient drivetrain delivers powerful performance and meets worldwide emission standards with low cost of operation and low environmental impact.
Force-cooled brakes
The force-cooled multi-disc brakes also help to reduce operating costs and enhance safety. Supported by an electronically activated exhaust brake and a six-stage modulating transmission retarder, the RA40 benefits from longer brake component lifecycles.
As well, the RA40s auto-lube system ensures every component is greased at the right times, saving operation time and providing safe maintenance.
FT Aggregates has six pits in operation across Alberta. Most material produced is sold into south-eastern Edmonton.
The company does all its own crushing and screening, with 18 employees at Pit 23 for year-round operation. Pit 23 became operational in 2014 and FT Aggregates has resources at the pit to last another 10 to 15 years. That means the trucks could be expected to haul about 7.8 million loads and 39 million tonnes of overburden.
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Headwater Equipment is the authorized Rokbak articulated hauler dealer for Alberta and provides FT Aggregates with heavy construction equipment via direct sales, rentals, service and parts.
Providing aftersales and services, Headwater Equipment will perform all the scheduled maintenance on the RA40s free of charge as part of the package, keeping the cost of ownership to a minimum.
“It’s great to be able to marry our partnerships with Rokbak and FT Aggregates,” said Scott Letkeman, Headwater Equipment Sales Manager.
“We’ve been pioneering the Rokbak brand in Canada ever since becoming the first to acquire RA40s in Alberta. The Rokbak trucks are robust, reliable and hardworking.”
The success of the three RA40s for FT Aggregates demonstrates the headway Rokbak is making in Canada. In the same prairie province, 500 km south of Camrose, another three RA40s are currently in operation moving huge amounts of aggregates, stone and rock.
“The North American market is very strong for Rokbak,” said Rokbak Regional Sales Manager Greg Gerbus. “Endorsements from established Canadian companies such as FT Aggregates is helping our reputation grow further and we look forward to seeing even more of our units on sites in the region in the near future.”
