Rokbak help carry the load in New Zealand

Atlas Quarries invest in pair of RA40 articulated haulers for rugged and challenging site near Auckland

ATLAS Quarries, one of New Zealand’s leading quarrying and aggregate production companies, have added two Rokbak articulated haulers to their Brynderwyn site, located some 100km north of Auckland. Known for its rugged terrain and challenging working conditions, the site 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, which has a payload capacity of 38 tonnes, whilst a modulating transmission retarder coupled with an efficient exhaust brake and fully enclosed oil-cooled multi-disc brakes offer superior braking performance – something which is greatly appreciated by operators at the Brynderwyn site.

‘Where we haul and fill out to is pretty steep, so with a full load on board you need to know the truck is going to stop where you want it to,’ said 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 too.

‘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.’

Founded by the Collie family almost 75 years ago and still run by the same family today, Atlas Quarries have a strong presence in Auckland, producing around 300,000 tonnes of material annually and specializing in the provision of high-quality construction materials for various infrastructure projects across the region.

The Rokbak RA40 offers a range of features designed to maximize 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 structure, 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, whilst the operator-friendly cab design provides superior visibility and ergonomic controls to maintain operator comfort.

According to Rokbak, the successful implementation of the haulers has not only enhanced operational efficiency at the site, but also contributed to a significant reduction in maintenance costs. The haulers’ durable design and advanced diagnostic systems minimize downtime, resulting in increased productivity and substantial cost savings.

‘We are pleased to have partnered with Atlas Quarries in optimizing their operations at the Brynderwyn site alongside our Global Parts Dealer of the Year, Porter Group,’ said Rokbak regional manager Lee Irving.

‘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.’