The Parameters Surrounding Industrial-Level Trucks In Australia

truck hire perth

In Australia, you’ll see many enormous vehicles and giant dump trucks being used by companies to haul their ore and materials off of the mining site. Metal ore and other minerals can be extremely heavy, weighing up to over 450,000 kilograms for a full load. Since smaller trucks might take weeks or even months transporting a full extraction, the biggest trucks in the world are often used to expedite the whole process. Here’s more information on the largest trucks available in the industry:

Why Mining Trucks Have to Be Massive

If you’ve ever seen a mine site, you’ve seen the dips, the terrain, and the conditions people operate in every day. Australia has an incredibly demanding terrain, which requires trucks with large tyres and extremely powerful engines. The general rule of thumb is that a larger vehicle requires an equal or larger motor powering it to ensure that its entire chassis gets hauled effectively. If you’ve ever tried driving a heavy and underpowered car up an uphill slope, you’ll know its difficulties and challenges.

Manufacturing Measurements of Industrial Trucks and Vehicles

These large trucks are often built with monster sizes to be effective in mine sites. They won’t be any good on the road because of how large they are, making them dangerous for those driving around them. However, they are given the right measurements for practical use. Here are some measurements used by truck manufacturers:

  1. Height: The total measurement from the ground to the highest point. The truck’s bed must be level.
  2. Length: The total span from the front to the rear while the bed is level.
  3. Payload: Refers to the maximum carrying capacity of the truck.
  4. Gross Vehicle Weight: The total weight combined with the payload maxed out.
  5. Engine: Measured using horsepower.

These measurements allow manufacturers to produce some of the largest vehicles that operators can use effectively and efficiently while mining and transporting materials.

The Terex MT 6300AC

The Terex MT 6300AC was dubbed the largest available industrial truck. It might not be the size of a crane for skyscraper construction, but it puts even the largest trucks in its shade on the job site. It was introduced in 2008 and showed the mining industry how big a hauling vehicle could get, which created more options for hauling heavy ore and coal. Since Australia’s mining industry just increased over the years and continues to be powerful, it can haul over 400,000 kilograms on top of its own weight. It first saw use in Canada’s oil fields for tar sands but has since seen use in Australia for the booming industry.

It might be a truck that costs over $4 million, but it has plenty of features that can make it usable in various situations. Canadians use the heated bed to transport tar sands without them freezing and sticking to the metals. It can also allow easy transport from the mines to the processing centres nearby in one pass, making it more fuel-efficient than running tons of trucks in and out daily.

Conclusion

Heavy-duty trucks are essential in Australia’s job sites, as they can haul both waste products and ores in and out effortlessly. Compared to your usual consumer-level ute, it pays to invest in the large trucks for your mining operations, as these can further expedite the level of productivity and success.

KEE Transport offers top-tier options for Australia’s industrial sphere, whether for construction, mining, or other urban development projects. We believe that machinery is the key to success in the industry, so we offer the best options in the Australian market. Contact us today for truck hires in Perth and learn more about our services.

6 of the Most Reliable Tyre Brands in the World

advanced equipment

Your tyres are among the most important components of your vehicle. After all, they carry the entire weight of the car, truck or machine, and its passengers and loads. Tyres are also responsible for controlling acceleration and deceleration. The more friction on your tyres, the more easily it will start and stop.

Every person should invest in high-quality tyres for their vehicle. Not only can it contribute to a smoother drive, but it might also mean the difference between life and death. After all, the better your tyres, the better they will be in an emergency.

To help you navigate the complex choice of choosing a car tyre brand, read on. We have compiled this list so you can make more informed decisions about your vehicle. With no further ado, here they are:

1 – Bridgestone

This Japanese manufacturer is the largest in the world, producing a wide selection of tyres for many uses. Whether you’re looking for high-quality racing tyres or economical city driving tyres, they likely have a product for you.
Their products have over 180 factories and R&D facilities around the world, and they sell tyres in over 150 countries around the globe. They are one of the world’s most trusted tyre manufacturers and are always a great option for motorists of any kind. KEE Transport Manager, Nathan Terrell, mostly uses Bridgestone or Michelin for his trucks. “They are proven to be by far the best for our low-loaders”, he said.

2 – Hankook

This South Korean company was founded in 1941 and remains one of the most popular manufacturers or radial tyres for trucks of all sizes and buses. They produce roughly 92 million tyres per year and have been providing high-quality products for intensive industries for almost 80 years.

3 – Michelin

This corporate giant from France provides tyres to over 170 countries. They are considered among the most important innovators for tyres in the motor industry and led the development of the radial tyre. Their products are well-known for their high performance and safety levels.

4 – Pirelli

This company from Italy has been a leader in tyre technology for over 140 years. Their tyres are designed to tailor to each vehicle’s performance and each driver’s needs. Their products are highly-prized by drivers who value a comfortable driving experience.

5 – Continental

German companies are well-known in the automotive industry for a reason. For over 150 years, Continental has proven itself a reliable player in the industry. Their tyres are designed for performance, durability, and safety on any surface and every season. KEE Field Service Manager, Zekan Erceg, swears by the German brand. “In my opinion, Continental are absolutely the best tyres on the market,” he said.

Tyre Maintenance is Universal

Regardless of brand, if you hope to make the most of your tyres, you need to maintain them properly. This means regularly checking your tyre pressure, avoiding road hazards, not loading more than necessary, and taking them in for servicing. After all, if you take care of your tyres, they’ll take care of you. Well-maintained tyres are always better at reducing the risk of accidents.

Final thoughts

Every motorist must understand that the key to efficient and smooth driving is in the components. If you want your car, truck, or machine to be more than the sum of its parts, you must choose the right ones. Beyond that, you must also take care of and maintain these parts to ensure a safe drive at all times.

If you’re looking for a provider of advanced equipment that uses only the highest-quality parts, give us at KEE Group a call. We are well-known for our dedication to customer service and unparalleled logistical support for our clients.

 

Photo by Katharyn Quinn ©2021

Our Guide to Replacing Your Low Loader’s Tyres: Signs and Safety Precautions

Our clients regularly need the help of low loaders and operators in Perth to carry and transport their cargo. This requires specialised equipment, knowledgeable operators, and wide-load vehicles.

Throughout the transportation, our prime movers and low loader trailers will need to be regularly inspected. One of the most important parts of the vehicle to check is the tyres. The tyres are constantly and thoroughly looked over for wear and tear for long-distance loads and will be immediately replaced when needed.

Our drivers inspect their tyres every single time before using their trucks and trailers to ensure they’re in optimum condition. That way, they’ll immediately know if they’ve got tyre punctures or other problems that could make it dangerous for them to manoeuvre their low loaders.

If you’re a driver, or you’ve ever thought about becoming an operator, here are a few tips that our professional team take into consideration daily:

Inspecting Tyre Treads

A low loader’s tyres have treads that provide the grip and traction needed to make sure your truck stays on track and doesn’t slip or slide when on the move. If you spot uneven wear patterns on your tyres, that’s a good sign they’re due for replacement. Generally speaking, you must replace your tyres when the tread is worn to 2/32 of an inch.

Fortunately, tyres have tread wear indicators that help notify drivers when it’s time to replace them. They look like raised bumps that are spaced at the bottom of the tread grooves. When you spot these indicators on the outside of the tread, that means it’s due for a replacement.

Looking Out for Punctures, Cracks, and Foreign Objects

For your tyres to function correctly and safely, they must be completely intact. If it’s riddled with cracks, punctures, or even foreign objects, it will allow air to escape from the tyre, which could result in a blowout. If you see any foreign objects wedged into your tyre tread, remove them right away to avoid more damage. If you observe a minor crack in your tyre or you know that it’s punctured, you might be able to plug the hole and patch the area surrounding the hole until you can get to a safe location for replacement. However, if your tyre’s sidewall is punctured, you’ll have to immediately replace it. Make sure to entrust this job to a professional.

The Valve Stem

Apart from cracks and punctures, you’ll also need to survey your valve stem for cracks. The valve stem is necessary for inflating the tyre, so if it has cracks, then the tyre cannot be adequately inflated, necessitating a replacement.

The Tyres’ Age

Your tyres’ age is also a significant factor in whether or not they’re due for a replacement. Tyre manufacturers have different service lives on certain tyres, but a low loader tyre’s average life is around five years under everyday use and maintenance conditions. You should start considering tyre replacement after three years, even when the tyres still have sufficient tread depth.

It’s also important to know the causes of trailer tyre damage so you can help avoid them and extend the tyre’s life. These causes include improper tyre pressure, driving with excessive speed, improper loading, infrequent use of the low loader, axle issues, and too much exposure to moisture, sunlight, and extreme temperatures.

Conclusion

Looking after your tyres on the road is essential when transporting equipment, as it will make sure you get safely to your destination. By being aware of the signs of tyre damage like cracks and punctures and knowing when to replace them, you’ll ensure not only your safety but ensure the safety of your cargo as well.

KEE Group is a collaboration of KEE Hire, KEE Surfacing, KEE Transport, and KEE Fuel. We have low loader operators who specialise in transporting heavy-plant hire equipment, providing uninterrupted logistical support for our clients. If you’re looking for dump truck hire or excavator hire in Perth, we’re the ones to call. Contact us today to learn more!

3 Reasons Companies May Need To Relocate Heavy Equipment

transporting plant equipment

If you own a business in the industrial sector, it’s logical to assume that you have large pieces of equipment listed as your assets. These large pieces of equipment are essential to your business operations, the very reasons why your workflow runs smoothly from day-to-day.

More often than not, businesses will end up having to move this large machinery. No matter the nature of the move, most business owners will ask the question—how can I move such a heavy machine? The good news is that some of the best transport solutions teams are there ready to assist, such as KEE Group.

Before making a move, it’s important to polish up your plans and make proper preparations. It may not seem like it, but understanding the nature of your move is crucial to the entire process.

Without further ado, we give you the three most common reasons why the industrial sector decides to move their mining and construction machines—no matter how heavy or large they may be:

Reason #1: You need to move facilities

While most companies only need to move and shuffle within their facilities, others are prompted to actually move their headquarters physically. This happens thanks to either growth or restructuring, thereby compelling them to move their heavy plant machinery.

Such a huge relocation requires experiencing rigging staff, and transport operators, with quality tools and trucks to make sure that process is efficient and safe. Low loaders, dollies, and prime movers will also be crucial to the move and will be used to transport the equipment onto the new facility.

Reason #2: You need to move across the country

A business moving across the country is uncommon, but not unheard of. For specific reasons, companies may find themselves wishing to expand elsewhere, thereby prompting them to move the entire business to another part of the country. It could be due to operating costs and taxes, or perhaps simply personal reasons.

Moving large pieces of equipment can be challenging, especially considering the amount of travel time involved. With the right moving company, you’ll be able to haul your machines with no hassle.

Reason #3: You need to upgrade your equipment

When it comes to growth, most businesses can also find themselves needing to move heavy machinery, for the purpose of upgrading and swapping. This gives way to better and more efficient processes, especially when it comes to the expansion of products and services. With new processes and equipment on board, growth trajectories will eventually lead to a highly coveted success.

If you’re selling your equipment, it’s important to have the right transport company by your side. You’ll want the best crew and all the right tools, ensuring that your investments remain safe and operational.

Book The Best Transport Companies In Perth

Although companies and businesses move for a variety of reasons, one thing remains certain—they will need their heavy equipment transported. These are important investments, critical to the entire operation, and ultimately, the success and survival of the company. Whether it be reshuffling, relocation, or simply upgrading, hiring the right crew can save you money in the long run.

For the best transport company in Perth, KEE Transport has you covered. We offer you a talented team of operators, who can help transport your machines all over Australia. We guarantee you a superb service, making us the best possible business partner for your transport needs. Reach out to us today to learn more.

5 Aspects to Consider When Transporting Heavy Machinery

heavy earthmoving machinery

Transporting heavy machinery and equipment is an incredibly complicated job that requires laser-sharp focus, sharpened skills, and years of experience. Whether it’s the most essential aspect of acquiring transport vehicles or dismantling and reassembling equipment, you’ll need a seasoned professional who knows the proper way to complete these processes. Leaving it in an amateur’s hands may lead to expensive problems that can compromise the whole operation.

While getting equipment from one point to another sounds simple enough, the equation changes when you’re handling large machinery. You’ll have to make sure that you have everything you need to guarantee the safe transport and arrival of your machinery or vehicles, as moving involves a lot of logistical challenges. Here are five aspects to watch out for when transporting heavy machinery:

Using The Right Binders and Tensioners

A crucial part of transporting your heavy equipment or machinery safely is investing in the right tie downs. It will protect your cargo and absorb shocks that often come with navigating roads, such as road bumps, rough weather, and other aspects. Moisture can also damage your equipment, so it’s imperative (if needed) to choose the right covers that will not only safeguard your items from damage and scratches but also rust and dampness.

Dismantle and Reassembly

Some equipment must be taken apart before it can be transported to its final destination, as carrying it whole may be too unwieldy while risking damage. However, it’s also essential to ensure that they can be reassembled upon arrival. This process requires in-depth, extensive knowledge and skill, and manoeuvering to get advanced equipment, so it’s crucial to entrust this task to professionals. Any mistake can wreck your cargo and require costly repairs or replacements. Ensure that you hire a specialist to guarantee your equipment’s safety from point A to point B.

Proper Vehicle Management

Carrying heavy machinery and equipment across long roads means that the operators may encounter many challenges, requiring them to be incredibly skilled and precise. They must manoeuver all roads, avoid hazards such as potholes and hairpin turns, and ensure that the equipment stays safe and secure in the prime mover. You’ll want only the best for your cargo, so it’s important to entrust it to haulage solutions that are renowned for their proper vehicle handling and management, as it will safeguard your sensitive equipment.

Access to Specialty Equipment

It won’t be possible to transport your machinery using regular private vehicles, which means you’ll need access to specialist moving equipment that are specifically designed to transport heavy loads safely and securely. With the proper tools, you can rest assured that your cargo will make it to its destination in perfect condition. Be sure to work with a contractor specialising in heavy machinery transportation and have the most modern and up-to-date equipment available.

The Different Moving Vehicle Types

There are many moving vehicles available, making finding the right one to transport your cargo a challenge. You’ll also need to find drivers who can manoeuver these vehicles with skill and expertise. For instance, KEE Transport has a team of expert operators and a fleet of dollys, low loaders, and prime movers, which we will select according to your needs. Our models include the Freightmore Transport 3 x 4 Drop Deck, the 2020 Mack Superliner Prime Mover (130t), Kenworth Prime Movers (130t), Drake 2 x 8 dollies (100T) , and Volvo FH16 700 Prime Movers (131t)

Conclusion

Keeping these aspects in mind is crucial when transporting heavy equipment or machinery across long distances, as you’ll want to guarantee their safe arrival. By considering each of these factors, you’ll enjoy smooth and stress-free transportation of your precious cargo.

For all your heavy equipment transportation and advanced equipment needs, be sure to contact us at KEE Transport! We transport heavy plant machinery to sites around WA, but we also service Australia. Our operators are highly-skilled and well-trained, which means we can take care of hauling your expensive assets safely to their destination. Contact us today to find out how we can help!

Transporting Heavy Equipment: A 3 Step Guide On How To Load Safely

transport in perth

Heavy equipment transportation is a serious and necessary task. Businesses all over Australia rely on commercial transport to ship heavy items from one point to another, but the overall process can be quite dangerous. Done poorly, accidents can happen, ones that lead to serious injuries and heavy financial losses.

Safe and legal transportation is vital, but ensuring a safe and secure transport system is no easy task. When handling massive pieces of machinery, one must adhere to a set method of loading, transporting, and unloading protocol.

All these are practices that need to be perfected, especially since the last thing you want to worry about is an injury on the site, or perhaps irreversible damages to machine parts. There’s no other way to place it—before committing to transporting heavy equipment, preparation is key.

You must be able to load and secure everything according to regulations and manuals. Doing so minimises all possible risks, and to get started, make sure to follow the simple guide below:

Step 1: Inspection

Have your operators inspect the capacities of the truck or trailer to be used

Having the correct paperwork is a crucial part of the entire process, and to prepare for heavy machinery transport, inspections are necessary. You’ll want to ensure that every part of the vehicle you’ll be using can do the job, and will not fail halfway through the journey. Here are some items you need to check:

  • Tyres, including the pressure
  • Lights, both at the front and back
  • Brakes
  • Tie-down points, ensuring chains are connected properly
  • Weight capacity

Step 2: Recruit Well

Work with the right transportation team

Moving heavy equipment may seem like an exciting task for those in the field, but such items require special skills. Accidents could be waiting around the corner, so it’s important to recruit the right team for the job. You’ll want them equipped with all the safety rules and regulations, as well as adequate skills in handling the machines in question.

It’s also important to have an oversized-load flagged, with pilot vehicles escorting the load with caution lights. This lets everyone else on the road know that an incoming truck full of heavy and possibly dangerous items is in transit, and should thereby be given ample space. Smaller vehicles failing to follow speeding limits are also at risk, but the right transport team should know when to slow down and speed up.

Step 3: Load and Secure

Proper loading makes or breaks your transportation success

Once you’ve established that you’ll be working with a well-oiled truck and a talented team, the next step is to ensure proper loading and security. You’ll need to choose your tie-down points carefully, as this will be the only thing holding you back from damaged goods and heavy losses. You’ll want your operators to secure with extra straps, closely guided by regulations.

Locking mechanisms must be triple-checked, wheels secured with wedges (wheel chocks) for a stable journey. Once everything is deemed as fixed, you will be ready to hit the road.

Transportation Services Operated By The Best In WA

Transporting heavy equipment is no easy task. Doing so necessitates the need for skill, patience, and strict protocol, along with other considerations needed before beginning the journey. The primary objective of all transport services is to deliver all the goods intact, which can only happen if safety and security are prioritized. We hope that this guide has provided you with essential information on what needs to be done, so that future transportation methods take place safely and efficiently.

For the best transport in Perth and surrounding areas, KEE Group has you covered. We offer you skilled and licensed operators ready to take on the heaviest assignments, ensuring that your loads are delivered safely and on time. Reach out to us today to learn more!

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