With the Road Ant becoming the Victorian industry’s preferred forward spreader for spray seal works, saving on labour costs whilst de-risking work sites, it is now getting attention interstate and overseas.
In a move to increase safety on VicRoads’ construction projects, the road authority announced that aggregate spreaders would be required to be forward moving. In July 2017, VicRoads implemented a five year transition period to phase in Forward Moving Spreading and on 1 July 2022 this was mandated.
In a direct response, Quality Fabrication & Engineering created the Road Ant, a dual controlled forward moving aggregate spreader, to increase safety on spray sealing projects across the road network.
Twenty-five units have been sold to date to companies such as Fulton Hogan, Primal Surfacing, InRoads, Cranes Civil & Surfacing, Rich River Asphalt, Szabolics Construction and Moyne Shire. Glenn Hardiman, General Manager, Quality Fabrication & Engineering, says it’s no surprise that the Road Ant is now operating interstate.
“We have carried out trials and demonstrations interstate at the request of road authorities in New South Wales,” says Hardiman. “It’s encouraging to see an interest Australia-wide in improving safety in the spray seal industry.”
Hardiman says current funding from the Department of Transport Victoria for preventative Spray Seal maintenance contracts on the Victorian regional road network are very scarce.
“This means major companies are using Road Ants on Shire work where forward spreading is not necessarily mandated, further cementing their acknowledgement for safer methods of spreading aggregate.”
He says that the Road Ant has been well adopted by the industry in its first three years of operations.
“The spray sealing industry adopted the Road Ant well because they were already familiar with its operation,” he says.
“Although it is very precise in its stone distribution, it is a very simple machine to use and to operate, which the drivers find comforting. We found even though there are other methods of forward spreading, our solution seems to be popular because it fits in with the same way spray sealing has been done for 70 years.”
Rich River Asphalt
Since acquiring two Road Ant forward moving aggregate spreaders, Rich River Asphalt, located in Echuca, Victoria, has noticed previously closed doors and opportunities opening.
Like other spray seal and asphalt manufacturers, Rich River Asphalt faced the challenge of acquiring forward moving spreader equipment in order to adhere to impending changes from VicRoads.
Darren Wilson, General Manager, Rich River Asphalt, says the Road Ant has revolutionised the company’s offerings.
“We did quite a bit of research on the different options that were available to us,” says Wilson.
“We needed a product that could meet all needs and requirements. The Road Ant was a relatively new design at the time, and we had no prior relationship with Quality Fabrication & Engineering. They were fantastic throughout the whole process.”
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Prior to receiving the forward moving aggregate spreader units, Rich River Asphalt had previously required a larger crew to complete jobs.
Wilson says the Road Ant machinery not only helped Rich River Asphalt to save on costs, but also de-risk its job sites.
“When you have Cover Runners and pedestrians near a tipper there’s always a risk of that person being hurt, colliding with the truck for example,” he says.
“It eventually got to a stage where VicRoads said enough was enough.
“Despite the initial investment required to buy the truck, businesses can save money straight away due to the ability to employ less crew members. You save money in the long run and the impacts on risk and safety outweigh the cost.”
Expanding Interest
With expanding interstate interest and fresh enquiries from the United Kingdom and with QFE holding global rights to the IP, Hardiman says the future looks bright for the Road Ant.
“The Australian Patent #2020307144 and United States Patent #17622639 all have a 20-year priority date from 24 June 2020; its unique design and practical uses is a rewarding outcome for an Australian owned company. Further patent applications are pending in Asia and Europe” says Hardiman.
In an effort to continue advancing the Road Ant, Hardiman says Q-FE has improved the simplicity and operation of the control system and its fault-finding abilities.
“If there is a fault somewhere within the hydraulic or electrical system, the fault-finding screen on the dash will tell the driver exactly where the issue is so it can be quickly and easily remedied,” says Hardiman.
In addition to fault finding, Hardiman says Q-FE are also working on further driver aids which can be expected to debut in 2025.
“There are some tweaks that we’re working on, which will further enhance the driving experience for operators,” he says.
For more information, visit: https://qualityfab.com.au
This article was originally published in the March edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.
