Installing rubber liners in a 60-ton haul truck can be done in less than one day, according to Kemper Equipment’s Greg Donecker. Photo: Greg Donecker
Today’s business environment encourages aggregate producers to lower costs, protect employees, keep uptime to a maximum and, ultimately, return money to shareholders. Hydraulic Fittings
Rubber truck bed liners check all of these boxes.
Many producers are forced to operate haul trucks due to mine planning. Haul trucks are not just a capital investment, but they incur an ongoing cost of ownership in maintenance costs, as well as in daily driver expenses.
The traditional haul truck has a steel liner with a lifespan of one to two years in it – depending on the nature of the material. In comparison, a rubber liner will last three to four times longer than a steel liner. This results in a significant savings in total operating costs, including installation and maintenance. Due to the savings, the upfront cost of the purchase is returned quickly.
Additionally, the installation time for rubber liners is a fraction of the time compared to steel liners. Rubber liners in a 50- to 60-ton truck take less than a day to install. The same truck with steel liners takes three to five days or longer to install.
Today’s producers are not only concerned about costs, but about protecting employees.
Rubber liners do an excellent job of absorbing impact. The liners not only prevent unnecessary structural damage to trucks and chassis, but they protect drivers from shock, jolting and vibration during the loading process. The health and safety of drivers, of course, is an important factor in retaining employees long term.
Another health and safety factor to consider is noise. Sound attrition is crucial. Noise exposure must be reduced for employees. Trucks with steel liners can expose employees to a noise level greater than what can be tolerated. Tests, however, show a significant reduction in noise level takes place with rubber liners.
Greg Donecker is president of Kemper Equipment, EESSCO and Old Dominion Equipment & Supply, operating out of Honey Brook, Pennsylvania.
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