To manufacture productive and versatile road train trailers for Jamieson Transport in Western Australia, Bailey’s Body Builders specifies axles and suspension from Fuwa K-Hitch.
Iron ore was Western Australia’s highest value commodity during 2015-16, accounting for more than $48 billion (71 per cent) of total mineral sales*. The state’s figures cemented its position as the world’s largest exporter of iron ore, with sales volumes reaching 756 million tonnes, up from 719 million tonnes in 2014-15.
To meet the transport demand from the mining industry, David Bailey – owner of Bailey’s Body Builders – has been supplying the commercial road transport industry with road train trailers and heavy haulage equipment since 1989.
Semi-retired – and coordinating operations with his son, General Manager – John Bailey, from their facility in Armadale, he has seen many changes in trailer design since the advent of the Performance-Based Standards (PBS) high productivity scheme.
“In 1992, we thought a standard quad combination hauling 92 tonnes was big,” David says. “Now, we are manufacturing impressive road train combinations that can move 139 tonnes, utilising clever design coupled with reliable running gear. Even though the industry has seen many changes over the years, one constant is the requirement for high-productivity equipment that is built to last.”
One of David’s regular customers is bulk haulage business, Jamieson Transport, which has one of the largest fleets in the Pilbara region, with a significant selection of transport equipment built by Bailey’s Body Builders.
Jamieson Transport Workshop Manager, Willie Brennssell, says that he has recently taken delivery of a quin road train combination from Bailey’s, which has PBS approval to run 720km round trips between Port Hedland and authorised mines in Western Australia, hauling iron ore, manganese and copper concentrate. The quin has a Gross Combination Mass (GCM) of 200 tonnes and a payload capacity of 139 tonnes.
“This is our third quin to join the Jamieson fleet,” Willie says. “With one lead A-trailer and two connected B-doubles, we need suspension systems that will last the trailers’ lifetime and meet PBS requirements.”
To satisfy PBS requirements for lightweight tare, David confirms about 80 per cent of his customers specify Fuwa K-Hitch axles and suspension systems, which are also cost-effective and serviceable.
Willie explains that iron ore payloads in a standard trailer will typically transfer weight from the front to the rear axles in transit, which affects long-term suspension durability. “The quin combination is designed to transfer payloads more evenly via its multi-bin system, allowing for up to 23 tonnes per axle group. This balances out payload weight across the entire trailer combination.”
David also says that the multi-bin system ensures better stability and payload weight accuracy. “Separate bins can load within a close margin of accuracy – as opposed to one large bin. Also, by separating the payload into multiple storage points across the trailers, the stored materials are easier to manage, which is ideal in terms of safety, promoting significant efficiency gains, too.”
While the quin is limited to its PBS routes, Jamieson can unhitch the A-trailer, allowing the trailer combination to function as a quad, expanding its road network access capabilities – highlighting its diverse practical applications.
David says the quin is built for productivity with lightweight tare because a fleet simply cannot compete in the market without optimised heavy haulage equipment. ”Bailey’s Body Builders has worked with Fuwa K-Hitch for over 15 years, and its aftersales support has always been impeccable.”
Fuwa K-Hitch State Manager for Western Australia and the Northern Territory, Ryan Ussher, says that his team provides running gear that is suitable for the region’s harsh conditions, and has maintained a great long-term partnership with the team at Bailey’s.
“The quin trailers use our Pan 19 disc brakes with parallel bearings, 10×285 PCD axles in tri-axle groups and three-leaf suspension while all fixed trailer connections use Fuwa K-Hitch 90mm heavy duty ballraces,” he says. “Fuwa running gear is built to withstand Western Australia’s harsh conditions, and we understand the importance of minimising downtime that’s why we offer quality components and effective speed-to-market for replacement parts to support preventative maintenance tasks. Our team has access to the largest stock holding of trailer parts and components in Western Australia and can support all of our products in the field.”
The Jamieson Transport workshop engages in regular preventative maintenance because it is important to minimise downtime.
“In our experience, Fuwa K-Hitch components from running gear components to wheel bearings are readily available, which allows us to run a more serviceable and efficient fleet,” he says.
With the ebb and flow of mining activity, and the need to shift bulk payloads efficiently, David and John Bailey continue to invest in Fuwa K-Hitch running gear to provide fleets like Jamieson Transport with optimised road train combinations, promoting efficiency and versatility.
*Source: Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum, Statistics Digest 2015-16.