In the demanding world of mining, where machines endure punishing conditions and are pushed to their limits daily, equipment must do more than survive – it must excel. The Duratray Suspended Dump Body (SDB) stands apart, not simply as a component in the haulage chain, but as a carefully engineered system designed to enhance performance, increase safety, and improve sustainability from the ground up. At the heart of its design lies a profound philosophy of precision engineering – one that reaches far beyond traditional manufacturing and reimagines the dump body as an intelligent, active contributor to productivity.

This is no ordinary tray. The SDB is the embodiment of decades of applied engineering expertise, extensive field research, and a relentless commitment to solving real-world operational inefficiencies. From the mines of South Africa to the coalfields of Australia and beyond, Duratray’s Suspended Dump Body is proving that innovation in mining equipment doesn’t have to mean heavier, louder, or more complex. It can mean smarter.

The Power of a Radically Different Design

What sets Duratray apart begins with a question few in the industry dare to ask: what if a dump body could flex? Conventional steel trays are designed to resist movement, effectively becoming heavy, rigid shells that endure – but don’t adapt to – the energy transferred during loading. Duratray flips that logic on its head.

Rather than resisting impact, the SDB is engineered to absorb and dissipate it. This is achieved by combining a high-strength steel frame with a suspended, multi-layered rubber and composite lining. It’s a clever mix of flexibility and fortitude. The result is a tray that actively responds to the forces acting upon it, rather than suffering under them.

This isn’t just good engineering – it’s a shift in thinking. By embracing movement and integrating advanced materials, Duratray has created a dump body that behaves more like a dynamic system than a static container.

Lighter by Design, Stronger by Science

The implications of this design philosophy are far-reaching. The composite materials and rubber lining used in Duratray trays make them considerably lighter than conventional steel bodies – in many cases by as much as 10–20%. This reduction in tare weight creates a ripple effect across mine operations.

A lighter tray allows for more payload. That’s a simple but powerful truth. Mines report being able to carry 5–10% more material per haul, without overloading trucks or compromising safety. Over hundreds of cycles a day, that uplift becomes a meaningful increase in throughput – more tonnes moved, more revenue generated, fewer trucks required.

Fuel consumption also drops. A truck that doesn’t have to work as hard to move its own body weight uses less diesel, with estimated savings of up to 15% in some operations. For mines where fuel is a major cost driver, these efficiencies quickly add up to hundreds of thousands – even millions – in annual savings.

Then there’s carry-back – the bane of many haulage operations. Material left clinging to the tray after dumping not only reduces payload on the next cycle but also increases wear and fuel burn. Duratray’s non-stick rubber lining significantly reduces this issue. Mines that previously battled with up to 35% carry-back have reported reductions to below 2% after switching to Duratray.

Built for Real Conditions, Not the Drawing Board

Mining environments are punishing. Haul roads are rough, payloads are abrasive, and machines are worked to exhaustion. Any piece of equipment operating in this setting must not only perform well but do so consistently over years.

This is where Duratray’s attention to durability shines. The suspended rubber lining acts as a shock absorber, taking the brunt of loading impacts and protecting the steel framework underneath. Traditional steel trays suffer from dents, cracks, and structural fatigue that require constant welding and maintenance. In contrast, Duratray trays experience fewer structural failures and are easier to maintain when repairs are needed.

The rubber mats are modular and can be patched or replaced in sections – no full tray replacements, no downtime for welding. It’s a practical, field-tested approach to maintenance that aligns with modern asset management strategies. Mines looking to transition from reactive maintenance to predictive and planned interventions find Duratray’s design particularly aligned with their goals.

It’s not uncommon for mines to report that a Duratray body lasts two to three times longer than a standard steel tray. That kind of longevity doesn’t just improve equipment uptime – it changes the economics of the entire fleet.

Engineering that Protects People, Not Just Payload

While efficiency and durability are cornerstones of Duratray’s appeal, its most underrated benefit may be its contribution to operator safety and wellbeing. The mining industry has made massive strides in prioritising health and ergonomics, and Duratray has responded by engineering a product that actively supports this evolution.

The rubber-lined design drastically reduces the amount of noise and vibration transferred to the truck cab. For operators, this means a quieter, smoother ride – one that’s less fatiguing and mentally taxing over a long shift. Lower vibration levels also help reduce whole-body vibration exposure, a key factor in musculoskeletal disorders over time.

Noise levels in some operations have dropped by more than 5 decibels when switching to Duratray, and vibration testing has shown markedly improved results during both loading and transit. When compounded over multiple hours and hundreds of trucks, the improvement in human performance, safety outcomes, and absenteeism is hard to ignore.

There are also performance-related safety benefits. The lighter tare weight and improved load distribution help lower the centre of gravity, enhancing vehicle stability and reducing the likelihood of rollovers on uneven terrain. The non-stick surface also prevents material from shifting unpredictably during transit, minimising spillage and the risks associated with it.

In essence, Duratray’s design doesn’t just protect machines – it protects the people who rely on them.

Lower Lifetime Cost, Greater Long-Term Value

It’s easy to focus on upfront capital costs when evaluating heavy equipment, but smart mining operations look deeper. They know that purchase price is just one line item in a complex total cost of ownership (TCO) equation – and Duratray knows this too.

Duratray trays are not the cheapest on the market. Nor are they designed to be. What they offer instead is exceptional long-term value. By reducing fuel consumption, extending tyre and chassis life, minimising unscheduled repairs, and improving overall haulage efficiency, the SDB pays for itself many times over in reduced operating expenditure.

This financial advantage matters most to mines that think long-term – those focused on asset optimisation, operational resilience, and performance stability across commodity cycles. These are not companies chasing short-term savings; they’re seeking solutions that unlock long-term profitability. For them, Duratray is not just a dump body – it’s a strategic asset.

By offering predictable, measurable savings in areas like diesel consumption, component wear, maintenance costs, and fleet availability, the SDB strengthens budgeting confidence and reduces financial surprises. In the high-stakes world of mining, that’s worth its weight in gold – or iron, or coal.

Tailored Precision for Each Mine

No two mines are alike – different geologies, climates, regulatory environments, and production priorities demand tailored solutions. Duratray’s engineering philosophy embraces this. Each SDB is customised for the specific mine it will operate in, based on a detailed study of the payload characteristics, haul route conditions, fleet configuration, and site goals.

Whether operating in a hard rock mine in Chile, a thermal coal pit in South Africa, or a gold mine in Western Australia, Duratray engineers work with customers to create a bespoke tray that meets their exact requirements. It’s this collaborative, site-specific approach that gives the SDB its edge – it’s not just manufactured, it’s engineered to fit.

This flexibility extends to compatibility. Duratray trays are designed to fit all major OEM trucks – Caterpillar, Komatsu, Liebherr, Volvo, and others – ensuring that mines can benefit from Duratray’s advantages without disrupting existing fleet strategies.

A Smarter Future for Haulage

Mining is under increasing pressure to improve sustainability, lower costs, and protect its workforce – all while boosting output. The Duratray Suspended Dump Body offers a compelling response to these challenges.

It demonstrates that meaningful gains in productivity and safety don’t always require radical overhauls or shiny new fleets. Sometimes, it’s about re-engineering the everyday components – the parts that often go unnoticed – and transforming them into high-performance assets.

Duratray’s vision of precision engineering is not about complexity for complexity’s sake. It’s about using intelligent design, proven materials, and field-driven innovation to create a product that delivers in every dimension that matters: performance, longevity, safety, and cost.

The SDB doesn’t just carry rocks – it carries a philosophy. One where engineering excellence leads, and where every design choice serves a purpose grounded in operational reality. That philosophy continues to shape haulage operations across the globe, and it’s turning heads in an industry where progress is often measured in tonnes, litres, and hours.

For mines looking to stay ahead, reduce their footprint, and maximise every truck cycle, the message is clear: it’s time to rethink the tray. With Duratray, that rethink starts with precision – and ends with measurable results.