One of New Zealand's leading quarrying and aggregate production companies, Atlas Quarries has added two Rokbak RA40 articulated haulers to its Brynderwyn site. These robust haulers now assist quarry operations, accompanied by a brand promise to deliver exceptional performance, efficiency and productivity.
Approximately 100km north of Auckland, the Brynderwyn site, known for its rugged terrain and challenging working conditions, required a robust and reliable hauling solution capable of meeting the demands of heavy-duty quarrying operations. After careful evaluation and consultation with dealer Porter Group, Atlas Quarries selected the Rokbak RA40.
Various industries in New Zealand contribute to the growing articulated hauler demand in this developing environment. Orders are often required for civil work along freeways and general construction, alongside Atlas' speciality of quarrying and aggregates.
The RA40 can carry 38 tonnes. A modulating transmission retarder coupled with an efficient exhaust brake and fully enclosed oil-cooled multidisc brakes offers superior braking performance, which operators at the Brynderwyn site greatly appreciated.
"Where we haul and fill out to is pretty steep, so with a full load onboard you need to know the truck is going to stop where you want it to," says Brynderwyn quarry manager Tony Turnbull. "It's one thing to scramble up a hill without any worries, but when you're at the wheel, you also want to know the machine will remain predictable and maintain traction on the way down.
"In investing in the Rokbak haulers, we were also looking for a big improvement in reliability and safety. The trucks are well designed for servicing, and all the main checkpoints are at ground level."
Still run by the Collie family today, Atlas Quarries has been a reliable supplier of quarry aggregates for almost 75 years. A prominent production company with a strong presence in Auckland, it specialises in providing high-quality construction materials for various regional infrastructure projects. The company produces around 300,000 tonnes of material annually. And with over 100 years more raw material resources to mine, Atlas Quarries should be helping lay the foundations of Auckland's growth well into the future – and the RA40s are now right there with them, 11,000 miles away from the Rokbak factory in Motherwell, Scotland.
The RA40 offers a range of features designed to maximise performance and operator comfort. The hauler's robust construction and superior capabilities allow it to navigate the challenging terrain of the Brynderwyn site. When working conditions are more arduous and punctuated by steeper inclines and tricky ground structures, tractive effort can be increased by approximately 50% to provide the necessary performance.
The automated limited-slip cross-axle and manually applied inter-axle differential locks distribute torque between axles and / or across the axles to limit wheel spin and maintain machine momentum. This adaptable traction control provides excellent machine stability in poor conditions, while the operator-friendly cabin design provides exceptional visibility and ergonomic controls to maintain operator comfort throughout.
The successful implementation of the haulers not only enhances operational efficiency at the site but also contributes to a significant reduction in maintenance costs. The haulers' durable design and advanced diagnostic systems minimise downtime, resulting in increased productivity and substantial cost savings.
"We are pleased to have partnered with Atlas Quarries in optimising its operations at the Brynderwyn site alongside our Global Parts Dealer of the Year, Porter Group," says Lee Irving, Rokbak Regional Manager. "The success achieved with them in New Zealand and an increased Rokbak profile in the country demonstrates our commitment to delivering innovative, high-performance solutions tailored to the unique needs of our customers wherever they operate in the world."
