More than twice as many hours of operation as before – that is the stark result from Grisons civil engineering authority (Switzerland) after one year operating two Rolba 500 multipurpose vehicles from ZAUGG. “We use pure snow cutters only for around 300 hours per year but each of the Rolbas now already has 700 operating hours on the clock,” Christof Bargetzi from Grisons civil engineering authority is pleased to announce. Among other things, the public service company is responsible for maintaining the roads in the canton, which includes snow clearance and mowing work.

“After around 30 years, we had to replace pure snow cutters because of their age – even though their operating hours were low. That is not economical,” Bargetzi summarises the previous problem. On average, snow blowers reach only around 5,000 operating hours in 30 years. At the same time, however, age gnaws at the machines. “Rust, technical problems and a lack of spare parts cause us difficulties. Yet, in terms of operating hours, we could get up to 10,000,” Bargetzi says. The alternative use of the Rolba 500 was therefore the main reason for buying the machines from ZAUGG.

This is a decision that Rolf Egli from ZAUGG Marketing also recommends for other local authorities and ski resorts: “If the option of alternative use is planned from the outset, you gain the possibility of using the Rolba 500 all year round. A boom mower or hedge/branch cutter doubles the operating time of the R500 straightaway.” Furthermore, summer operation preserves the machines, as Bargetzi adds: “When mowing, we drive at a low speed; in pure winter operation, the machine is constantly pushing its limits on tough passes.”

In winter, the Rolba 500 must therefore make an impact. Thanks to a PTO shaft rather than hydraulics, that is no problem, as Egli emphasises: “The drive is mechanical – i.e. with maximum power. The Rolba 500 is trailblazing in any snow!” In a single pass, the snow is cleared up to a height of 130 centimetres. Depending on configuration and snow conditions, it is possible to achieve a clearing capacity of around 1,800 tonnes per hour and a casting distance up to 40 metres.

Grisons civil engineering authority used the offer from ZAUGG to tailor the Rolba 500 to its needs. As such, snow blowers on the machines are fitted with a folding blade, to prevent snagging on obstacles such as manhole covers during snow cutting. “Otherwise, the damage could quickly add up to 30,000 francs,” Bargetzi says. The cutters are 2.10 metres wide, on the one hand to achieve good clearance and on the other hand so that they are not a major obstruction to traffic.
“Our Rolba 500s are equipped with direct casting and 4-flap ejector tubes. By contrast, we do not need telescopic ejector tubes, as we are on the move out of town and only rarely have to transport snow,” Bargetzi reports. For greater safety and comfort, the vehicles are equipped with central lubrication, a cut-out clutch, weight compensation and counterweight und axle spring deflection locking. The latter is relevant for mowing work on slopes, so that the machine does not tip over. Reversing cameras also make the drivers’ work easier.

Speaking of drivers: according to Bargetzi, the ease of use is a further advantage of the Rolba 500: “The cab is very comfortable and clear, the joystick control is easy to operate by hand.” Not least, thanks to the newly designed hydraulic backward-tilting bonnet, access to the engine compartment is extremely simple and maintenance is much easier. ts