THREE Scottish-built Rokbak RA40 haulers are moving thousands of tonnes of material a day for a sand and gravel producer in Alberta, Canada.
Earthworks specialist FT Aggregates produces around one million metric tonnes of sand and gravel every year. Each of the company’s trucks moves over 100 loads and 5,000+ tonnes of material to crushers and screeners every day.
Rokbak explained that an expansive sand and gravel production operation across Alberta led to FT Aggregates increasing its equipment fleet in late 2022. Consultation with heavy equipment dealer Headwater Equipment saw the purchase of three Rokbak ADTs.
The haulers were put into production after arriving on site at ‘Pit 23’, south of the city of Camrose, in spring 2023. Excavators load overburden into the RA40’s 38-tonne all-welded body. Each RA40 hauls the overburden and sand and gravel material for production.
“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.
“There’s obviously the fuel efficiency aspect of the trucks which is very much appreciated and is saving us money, but the auto-lube system has also been praised along with the visibility and the comfort of the cab, and, as we know, a smooth ride equates 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.”
The fully automatic RA40 transmission is said to provide ‘smooth, efficient’ gear shifting allowing reduced fuel consumption and increased operator comfort. The cab has pressurised capabilities and a HVAC and air flow system.
Force-cooled multi-disc brakes are said to reducing operational costs further, as well as enhancing safety. Supported by an electronically activated exhaust brake and a six-stage modulating transmission retarder, the RA40 is described as benefiting from longer brake component lifecycles.
FT Aggregates has six pits in operation across Alberta. Most material produced is sold into south-eastern Edmonton, Alberta’s capital city.
The company does all its own crushing and screening, with 18 employees at Pit 23. FT Aggregates has resources at the pit to last another 10-15 years, meaning the trucks could be expected to haul approximately 7.8 million loads and 39 million tonnes of overburden.
The RA40s were purchased from Headwater Equipment, the authorised Rokbak articulated hauler dealer for Alberta.
“It’s great to be able to marry our partnerships with Rokbak and FT Aggregates,” explained 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, 500km 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,” added 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.”
