Rokbak RA40s rock the Rockies
Jura Creek Enterprises full of praise for first three Rokbak RA40 articulated haulers in Alberta
IN the province of Alberta, Western Canada, in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, Jura Creek Enterprises have purchased three Rokbak RA40 articulated haulers to move huge amounts of rock and aggregates. The dumptrucks were delivered to Jura Creek in the second quarter of 2023 – the first RA40s to arrive in the region – and immediately put to work at Crowsnest Pass Quarry, on the Alberta–British Columbia border.
The quarry produces high-calcium material, including limestone aggregate, stackables and armour-stone, with Jura Creek selling about 1,360 tonnes of material per day into southern Alberta and south-eastern British Columbia.
Each RA40 at Crowsnest Pass transports blasted limestone to a crusher or trommel screen in one-mile circular hauls. The RA40’s articulated steering system ensures optimal manoeuvrability, allowing the haulers to navigate through tight spaces and tackle steep inclines with ease, a feature that is proving indispensable in Alberta’s challenging terrain. The RA40 also boasts a haul capacity of 38 tonnes and a heaped capacity of 23.0m3, making it ideal for transporting the volumes of materials required for Jura Creek Enterprises’ operation.
‘We needed robust haulers, and that’s exactly what we got,’ said Jura Creek Enterprises’ principal, Travis Deglow. ‘They’ve taken to the terrain, handle the surfaces well, and are proving to be real assets in what we’re doing at Crowsnest Pass.’
Jura Creek have more than 40 years’ experience working in the trucking and mining industries of Western Canada, specializing in blasting, crushing, and screening, and take great pride in their role within the community, striving to minimize environmental impact through modern technology and sustainability policies.
Similarly, reducing environmental impact is a key tenet of the Rokbak brand. The haulers have lean-burning engines and low-fuel consumption, with the RA40 having a class-leading transmission fluid change interval of 6,000h.
In Alberta, the coldest months of the year (January and February) can see temperatures drop to as low as –30°C to –40°C for short periods of time.
‘Operator comfort for us is integral and the RA40 has provided that,’ said Mr Deglow. ‘The HVAC provides the right temperature control for comfort on cold or hot days, the cab is extremely quiet, and the smooth ride has equated to high production.’
Headwater Equipment are the trusted Rokbak articulated hauler dealers for the province of Alberta, and the company has been providing Jura Creek Enterprises with heavy construction equipment via direct sales, rentals, service, and parts since 2020.
Jura Creek purchased the RA40s from Headwater Equipment with standard warranty and a full maintenance package that covers the units for the first 3,000h of operation. Providing after-sales and services, Headwater will perform all scheduled maintenance on the units as part of the purchase package, keeping the cost of ownership to a minimum.
‘Being in a relatively remote location, it is reassuring to know that there are qualified technicians ready to correct any problems that might develop,’ said Mr Deglow. ‘It’s nice to work with Rokbak and Headwater Equipment, who understand our equipment needs and provide the support needed to keep Jura Creek Enterprises up and running all year round.’
He added: ‘Being the first to acquire RA40s in Alberta, we’re glad to be helping to pioneer the Rokbak brand in Canada.’
Rokbak regional sales manager Greg Gerbus commented: ‘It’s brilliant to hear how well the three RA40 units have been performing on site for the team at Jura Creek Enterprises. Rokbak trucks are popular with customers because they are hardworking, robust, and easy to operate and maintain. There’s a strong future ahead for Rokbak in Canada.’
