The channel was converted into a pressurized pipeline to provide a firm water supply to land in the surrounding Ashley Valley, with the aim to minimize and even eliminate loss of water through seepage and evaporation, maximizing the amount of water available for irrigation purposes. The completed canal enclosure is the largest diameter HDPE pipe installation in the United States.
BHI self-performed the entire scope of the project, which included site preparations, excavation, pipe installation, back-fill, and restoration of the canal. To handle the large-scale earth-moving, BHI needed articulated haulers that would be up to the challenge, day after day, in an intense six-month timeline.
The RA30s were tasked with transporting rock and rubble to excavate the area in order to install the pipe, as well as providing support with the subsequent backfill. With the capacity to transport a payload of up to 30.9 tons, a maximum engine power of 370 horsepower, a heaped capacity of 22.9 cubic yards, and a maximum torque of 1880 nm at 1400 rpm, the Rokbak RA30 can be relied upon to all-weather-operate, transporting loads effectively and efficiently, with optimal traction in difficult terrain and combating steep inclines with ease.
“The RA30 is a top-performing machine,” said BHI Operator Reese Shultz, who clocked up over 2,000 hours alongside colleague Dustin Gardner in the two RA30s over the course of the project. “It’s fuel efficient, powerful, and with features like the tailgate helping to maximize load retainage as well as multiple reverse gears enabling quick cycle times, it’s been designed for productivity. It also has excellent mobility, it’s relatively narrow [10 feet 6 inches at its maximum width], which is hugely beneficial in confined job site spaces.”
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“One of the first things I noticed when I started using the RA30 was that it has proper visibility, from a comfy seat in a quiet cab, and the HVAC [heating, ventilation, and air conditioning] system works really well,” Gardner said. “It’s a real solid ride, and it’s comfortable to operate over various ground conditions.”
Cushioned bump stops on the steering cylinders reduce strain on the operator over an extensive shift, and a 45-degree steering angle at either side creates a turning radius of just 27 feet 9 inches. There is a spacious, ROPS/FOPS-compliant, pressurized cab. Smoother gear shifting accentuates these levels of comfort, alongside other benefits like faster cycle times, lower fuel consumption, and reduced carbon emissions.
“It’s always easy to work with BHI because of the professionalism and knowledge throughout the organization,” said Rasmussen Equipment’s Sales Representative Brandon Dorney, who has worked closely with BHI for many years and facilitates the equipment support provided by Rasmussen Equipment. “We enjoy keeping up with the demands of BHI and coming up with solutions to individual projects. When BHI outlined this particular job with its challenging earthmoving aspects, we knew they needed Rokbak haulers.”
