Simard Suspensions Inc of Baie-St-Paul, QC is well known for its twin steer adaptations to most major truck brands, but they are stepping up their game and expanding internationally. In 2013 they formed a subsidiary called Dramis International (Dramis=Simard spelled backwards) to produce high capacity mining vehicles.
Using their hydraulic suspension systems, coupled with all wheel drive and various other modifications, they have produced a series of dump trucks called D-55T, D-60T and D-65T, with the number indicating their capacity. However these trucks are not built only for high payloads, but with the ability to travel at highway speeds up to 90 kph. They are much more economical than off-road type rigid dumpers (of the Euclid type) and they have now exported some to Chile..
They can be built on Mack/Volvo, Kenworth/Peterbilt, Freightliner/Western Star or International HX chassis.
After five years of development Dramis has now come out with the D-150T, a 150 tonne capacity double trailer dumper. Initially built on a Kenworth C500 chassis, with 605 bhp engine and 5 axle all wheel drive, these mining trucks can cruise at 50 kph, and several have apparently gone into serive in nortern Canada.
Since it is unlikely that I would see one a Dramis at my local Big Stop, I was fortunate to catch one at Simard's yard on my recent road trip.
There are several images and videos online of both the straight truck and the semi versions of the Dramis D models.
D-150T youtube
Western Star D-55T
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