Trials have started for a massive new class of trucks – the 60 metre long ‘super quad’ road train.

The massive movers are designed to create cost efficiencies in the mining sector and reduce road use issues. They will be trialled on remote West Australian roads.

Local manufacturer Bruce Rock Engineering has been working on super quads for a number of years now, and managing director Damion Verhoogt says it has required some pretty big investment to develop the internationally patented product.

“To date, we have invested more than $100,000 in engineering R&D into the trial process, however we are delighted to be able to proactively contribute to the industry a premium product that will not only save on costs for our clients but will reduce truck movements by up to 20 per cent which is a massive gain for the industry and general community,” he told reporters.

Preliminary tests were carried out last month, using product loaded from Mineral Resources subsidiary Process Minerals, and transport contractor Fusion Contracting.

“We can see that this new technology will be of huge benefit to us and the resources sector, particularly with regards to productivity and cost efficiencies from our operators,” says Process Minerals transport manager Ken Walsh.

“It will also positively impact road infrastructure with less vehicles on the road and more tonnage being loaded.”