{"id":2108,"date":"2022-10-01T06:21:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-01T06:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alcoawheels.com\/australia\/en\/?post_type=news&p=2108"},"modified":"2025-08-12T05:19:23","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T19:49:23","slug":"robuk-and-alcoa-turning-the-wheels-to-increase-payloads","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.alcoawheels.com\/australia\/en\/news\/robuk-and-alcoa-turning-the-wheels-to-increase-payloads\/","title":{"rendered":"Robuk and Alcoa Turning the Wheels to Increase Payloads"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When higher payloads equate to higher returns on each trip, it pays to choose weight saving options that don\u2019t compromise on quality, wherever possible, right down to the wheels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to help customers increase payload capacity, Brisbane based trailer manufacturer, Robuk Engineering’s custom built, low tare weight aluminium trailers cater to the bulk haulage market, while specialising in lightweighting. \u201cTare weight is critical for us, hence the reason we use Alcoa,\u201d<\/strong><\/em> said Robuk managing director James Yerbury, adding that the Alcoa Dura-Bright is the wheel of choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Yerbury explained, the payload gains achieved are impressive. \u201cDura-Bright wheels are 5kg lighter per rim. On a PBS A-double you can save almost 200kg on the combination\u2019s tare weight just by using these Alcoa rims. On an AB-triple, you\u2019re looking at 240kg in weight savings, which is incredible.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based in the suburb of Hemmant, Robuk was started by Yerbury in June 2020. Working for a fellow trailer builder, he began his career in the trailer industry on the production side, before progressing into drafting and engineering roles, and then finally taking on the position of managing director at a well-known Queensland trailer builder. Eventually the time felt right to go out on his own, and with that, Robuk was born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting out with just three staff living in a tiny shed in rural Queensland, in a very short period of time, Robuk has experienced solid growth and now employs 46 people. \u201cWe\u2019ve just had our best month ever and are continuously hitting our production targets,\u201d<\/strong><\/em> said Yerbury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAn aluminium tipper can be anywhere from a tonne lighter compared to a steel bodied tipper. Our customers enjoy looking after their gear, and invest in spectacular prime movers, and it\u2019s an absolute treat to manufacture premium quality trailers to make the entire combinations amazing. Along with using Alcoa rims, to keep our tare weights to a minimum we use high-end materials including 700 grade steel chassis and then it\u2019s down to the design and engineering that keeps the weight down,\u201d<\/strong> <\/em>Yerbury added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll of our trailers are fully custom built \u2013 every single one. So, we\u2019re not going through a production line and putting together pieces like a jigsaw puzzle. We invest in using the best products, taking the time to build our trailers correctly, and ensuring everything is complete with absolute precision. That goes right down to our choice of suppliers.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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Robuk has been specifying Alcoa wheels since the beginning, though management have developed lasting relationships with Alcoa through previous roles, which extend over a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great working with suppliers like Alcoa who invest in new materials and being at the forefront of new technologies,\u201d<\/strong><\/em> says Yerbury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Yerbury, Alcoa\u2019s product quality is equally matched by the experience and aftersales service it provides. \u201cAlcoa is great at always thinking ahead and always looking at ways to deliver better and lighter wheels. The useability, sustainability and visibility of Alcoa rims set them apart,\u201d<\/strong><\/em> he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur trailers are predominantly servicing the grain industry, which is having another great season. Payloads are the money maker, so tare weight is critical \u2013 and up to 240kg in tare weight savings, just from the rims, goes a really long way.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alcoa Dura-Bright\u00ae<\/sup> wheels are an innovation that no competing wheel has been able to provide a competitive answer to because it is a surface treatment and not a coating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The patented surface treatment penetrates the surface of the aluminium to form one composite that becomes an integral part of the wheel so cracking, corrosion and filiform can\u2019t get underneath as is seen with acrylic and other coatings.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cDura-Bright\u00ae<\/sup> EVO wheels are Alcoa\u2019s easiest-to-maintain wheels,\u201d<\/strong> <\/em>says Michael Nichols<\/em> | National Sales Manager for Howmet Wheel Systems<\/strong>, Distributor of Alcoa Wheels in Australia. \u201cThey can stand up against the harshest weather, road grime and cleaning agents that are known to corrode and dull standard commercial truck, trailer and bus wheels.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also offers up to 3 times more resistance to chemicals, including hydrofluoric acid found in the toughest truck wash cleaning agents, and with the ability to be cleaned in a Ph environment 2-12, they stay shiny with regular truck cleaning products and even just soap and water \u2013 even after hundreds of washes and thousands of kilometres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This, and Dura-Bright\u00ae<\/sup> wheels\u2019 consistent shine without the need to polish are just two of their very attractive prospects for large fleets where well-presented equipment mean maintenance labour and time costs can be considerable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alcoa Dura-Bright\u00ae<\/sup> is available across most of the Alcoa wheel range, which means the premium benefits they are known for are not compromised:<\/p>\n\n\n\n