Terex Trucks takes charge in Norway

To increase productivity Risa AS has selected a Terex Trucks TR70 to haul blasted rock in south Stavanger, Norway.

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From the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, the Vikings to the Oil boom, Norway has a rich and prosperous history. In 1905, after the dissolution of unions with both Denmark and Sweden, the kingdom regained its independence, and in the late 1960s, its economy flourished following the discovery of vast fields of oil and gas off the Norwegian coast. As a result of the find, and to meet the technological challenges of production and exploration, many engineering and construction companies congregated in Stavanger. The municipality soon became the on-shore base for the offshore drilling industry, thereby obtaining the title, ‘The Oil Capital of Norway’.

Currently the fourth most populous city in Norway, Stavanger has an estimated population of over 130,000 inhabitants. Making room for one more, the southern part of the metropolitan recently welcomed the addition of a Terex Trucks TR70 rigid dump truck. Selected by Risa AS, Norway’s largest construction contractor, the 65-tonne capacity machine is being used to load and transport blasted rock from the quarry face uphill to a crusher.

A first-time customer, Risa, cemented its partnership with Terex Trucks at bauma 2016 in Munich, Germany, where the TR70 impressed alongside the newly launched ‘Gen10’ TA400. The robust rigid hauler was supplied to the longstanding contractor on a five-year rental agreement with Terex Trucks’ dealer Volvo Maskin AS.

“Risa is happy with the machine as it’s doing a fine job,” says Andrè Gulholm, sales and product manager at Volvo Maskin AS. “The truck has been running for close to 500 hours, and Risa has seen an upsurge of more than 50% in productivity due to the high capacity of the TR70.”

Gain without strain

Founded in 1948, Risa was set up by Risa brothers Tobias, Hakon Olaus, and Georg in the village of Nærbø. The company quickly gained momentum and within five years, the workforce grew to 24, by the 1960s that number then increased to 60, and today, the company boasts 450 employees. Renowned for its extensive expertise in the development of infrastructure, housing, industrial and road maintenance, Risa is now a firm favourite in counties such Sunnhordaland, Rogaland, and Agder.

Helping to maintain Risa’s development, the addition of the TR70 has seen production on site in south Stavanger double. The rigid hauler allows for 25-tonnes more material to be moved per hauling cycle in comparison to the company’s former truck, which could only bear a total load of 40-tonne. Well suited to the application, which is made up of hard and abrasive rock, the Motherwell-built rigid dump truck was created to power on through the toughest terrains, and this particular machine was fitted with liners in the body to add protection from the rocky conditions.

A 12-hour two-shift operation, the off-highway truck travels along a steep route but – thanks to a resilient drivetrain and rear axle configuration – there is next to no strain on the brakes. Constructed using 65 years of manufacturing know-how, the TR70 features a Detroit Diesel MTU-2000TA 12 cylinder 24 litre engine that provides a maximum torque of 3,323 Nm and gross power of 567 kW (760 hp), while effective gearing coupled with optimum weight distribution means the machine can move more using less fuel, less fuss, and in less time.

Transmission and rear brake retardation systems come as standard, while a high capacity body with exhaust heating makes for low material retention and cleaner dumping – thereby boosting productivity. Risa’s TR70 is fitted with an extra refuelling pump and diesel heater as well as added headlights for high visibility during the dark Norwegian winters. Whatever the season, the machine ensures a comfortable operating environment, due to its spacious and ergonomic cab – complete with a deluxe operator’s seat and DAB radio.

Gulholm adds: “The operators at Risa are really pleased with the machine and while they have no previous experience with Terex Trucks, I’m happy to report that they’re impressed with the fuel efficiency, uptime, and reliability of the TR70.”