LE MARS, IOWA (September 2, 2021) – SmithCo Side Dump Trailers, the industry leader in side dump trailer design and manufacturing, will display the first mining side dump trailer to feature a fully dedicated hydraulic suspension system at MINExpo 2021 at booth number 8625-C in the Central Hall. Engineered by Simard Suspensions, this new suspension system reduces issues for mines in cold climates and further enhances the advantages SmithCo side dump trailers offer to the mining industry. Compared to conventional haul units, SmithCo side dumps offer lower ton-mile costs, a smaller footprint, less fuel use, and many other benefits.
“SmithCo is helping to transform the mining industry and this is another example of how SmithCo is at the forefront of hauling innovations,” said Scott Lovell, SmithCo President and CEO. “We’re always pushing ourselves and our partners to offer more capabilities for our customers.”
The Advantages of Hydraulic Suspensions for Mining
The advantages of side dumps with hydraulic suspensions for the mining industry are many. The patented Simard suspension system allows axle ends to move independently of one another to navigate washboard roads more easily, reducing wear and tear and improving stability. A trailer with this system allows optimal axle load distribution whether fully loaded, partially loaded, or empty. It offers automatic transverse leveling before dumping and semi-active roll stabilization. The hydraulic system also eliminates the need for replacing air springs, shocks, or trailing arms, which cuts down on maintenance and downtime. For mining operations in Arctic conditions, the hydraulic system eliminates the risk of air freeze-up issues.
Side Dump Trailers Open Doors for Mining
Mine operations around the world are discovering the advantages of hauling with custom SmithCo side dump trailers instead of conventional haul trucks. The smaller footprint of the tractor-trailer combo improves the feasibility of opening satellite mines. Ton-mile costs are further lowered with less fuel use, less tire wear and less expensive tires, more easily serviceable parts, and more uptime. Side dumps can dump their loads over barriers, berms, or into crusher chutes, and deliver payloads up to 200 tons when trained together, making them a nimble competitor to conventional mining trucks.
The new trailer system, including a state-of-the-art electric tractor with an autonomous driving system, will be on full display at booth 8625 at MINExpo 2021 in Las Vegas, September 13-15.
“We don’t know of any trailer that’s been built like this, and we’re eager to show the folks at MINExpo what’s new and what’s next for mining trailers,” says Lovell.
About SmithCo
For more than 25 years, the mission of SmithCo Side Dump Trailers has been to design and build the world’s best side dump trailers, with superior stability, easier unloading, and faster cycle times than conventional dump trailers. Today SmithCo produces more side dump trailers and trailer models than any other company. Our trailers serve our customers’ diverse hauling needs in agriculture, construction, demolition, mining, and waste. The company was founded on the values of honesty, integrity, and outstanding customer service. We live these values every day by building side dump trailers the right way, under the careful watch of our world-class engineers. For more information visit sidedump.com.