Shermac water cart unlocks productivity for Jakk Contracting

Jasen Kehl started his working life operating farm equipment on potato farms in South Australia as a teenager before moving on to operate earth moving equipment in Victoria and later Western Australia. After several years as a grader operator, he was offered the opportunity to become an owner operator. 

In 2009, Jakk Contracting was established by Jasen and his wife Kate. The company specialises in final trim grading with a strong focus on safety, quality and efficiency. While Jasen and Kate have continued to base their family in North West Victoria, Jakk Contracting works predominantly in the Pilbara region of WA and has been a key contributor on many projects in the resource sector including roads, rail, airstrips and other large-scale pavement surfaces. 

As a business owner, Jasen looked for opportunities to increase his productivity and quickly realised that having a water cart for final trim grading available on demand was critical. Jasen looked at lots of water carts and saw nothing on the market that met his needs. As a result, he started thinking about the water cart he wanted and how this might be configured and set up. 

Realising that this would have to be a custom-build, Jasen started looking for businesses to work with. In 2012, Jasen was introduced to Jim Ray at Shermac. According to Jasen, “Jim was the first fabricator who didn’t try and shoe-horn me into a standard design. He only talked about what I wanted and how I could get it. Shermac were very happy to customise a design to meet my requirements and build me the unit that I wanted, so I stopped talking to people who bulk-build standard units”. 

Jasen is a long-time admirer of Kenworth products and wanted Shermac to mount the water tank on a Kenworth chassis. The chassis was heavily modified with customised engine, differentials, transmission and an upgraded hydraulic system to cater for water delivery requirements. 

Jasen commented “There was a lot of work behind the scenes – Shermac had to work with Kenworth engineers to ensure the hydraulic system could power the water delivery system that I wanted” 

He was delighted with the end-result and said “Owning my own water cart and having a reliable supply of water available as and when I needed it resulted in massive increases in grader productivity for me and my clients” 

The focus on productivity propelled the growth of Jakk Contracting and the business now has five graders and two dedicated water carts. While Jasen has since sold his first water cart, he noted “The unit worked 23,000 hours in extremely harsh environments and met every requirement that I had, and when I sold it, it still looked like new” 

After his initial experience with Shermac, Jasen has returned for two further water cart builds, including a semi tanker that was delivered in 2020. 

Jasen said “Working with Shermac is a pleasure. They have a genuine can-do attitude and believe that anything can be achieved. They took all my ideas on board and complemented them with some clever thinking of their own” and added “there were a lot of issues that they faced with my requirements that probably caused them some challenges, but they just got on with the job quietly and efficiently”. 

At Shermac, we’ve been engineering and manufacturing custom service vehicles and water cartage vehicles for Australia’s mining, civil, and construction sectors for many years. Our product range is diverse, and each product is made to suit our client’s exact requirements.

We also re-sell 9,500L, 18,000L, 27,000L, and 30,000L tankers that have been maintained, serviced, and meticulously prepared for re-sale to ensure total reliability and performance for any project in any conditions.

Currently For Sale, we have:

18,000L WATER TRUCK TANK

This brand new water tank will suit most makes of 6×4 or 8×4 cab/chassis. This 18,000 litre capacity water tank has a hydraulic powered water pump, includes a drive shaft and dry valve pump for truck engine PTO and has been configured to self-fill from below ground as well as through the top fill funnel. With 3 high-level horizontal sprays, 1 lower horizontal spray, and left and right vertical batter sprays, this water tank is fully mine site compliant and ready to work for you.

27,000L WATER TRUCK TANK

This demo model 27,000 litre capacity water tank will suit Mercedes Benz, MAN, Scania, or Iveco Astra 8×8 cabs/chassis. Featuring 3 high-level horizontal sprays, left and right vertical batter sprays, left and right drop bars, and hydraulic controlled magnum water cannon, this water tank is ready for any job.

9,500L STAINLESS STEEL WATER TANKS X2

These two 9,500 litre capacity water tanks are suitable for potable water or liquid fertiliser. With a low profile and tray deck area on top, these tanks make top loading of spray drums and other storage items easy.

CONTACT US TODAY

For more information on any of the Water Tanks we have for sale, give us a call today on 1300 799 943.

We get this question a lot. Should you go with an articulated water cart or a rigid setup?

On paper, they both do the same job. Move water, control dust and support safe, efficient site operation. But once you look closer, the differences in capacity, manoeuvrability and how they perform on site start to matter. The right choice comes down to your haul roads, terrain, production targets and how your fleet is set up.

This guide breaks down the key differences between articulated and rigid water carts, so you can choose the setup that actually fits your site conditions.

What is an articulated water cart?

An articulated water cart is built on an articulated truck chassis, where the cab and rear body are connected by a pivot joint. This allows the vehicle to bend through the centre, giving it a tighter turning radius and better traction on uneven ground.

In terms of Shermac’s offering, these units are typically configured with tank capacities up to 50,000 litres, balancing water volume with manoeuvrability. The articulated design allows operators to move efficiently through ramps, switchbacks and confined haul roads without compromising control.

Articulated water carts are suited to sites with variable terrain, where ground conditions change and access is limited. They maintain consistent water delivery while allowing operators to navigate complex sections of the site with greater precision.

What is a rigid water cart?

A rigid water cart is built on a fixed-frame mining truck, where the chassis doesn’t pivot. This design provides greater stability at higher speeds and under full load, making it well suited to long haul road applications.

These units are typically configured with significantly larger tank capacities, often up to 120,000 litres. This allows for extended watering cycles, reducing refill frequency and supporting consistent dust suppression across large-scale operations.

Rigid water carts are best suited to established mine sites with well-maintained haul roads and longer travel distances. Their design prioritises volume, stability and continuous output, making them a strong fit for high-production environments where efficiency and uptime are critical.

Articulated vs rigid water cart: Key operational differences

Manoeuvrability and terrain capability

• Articulated water carts are designed for movement across uneven, variable terrain. The pivoting chassis allows tighter turning and better traction on ramps, soft ground and confined haul roads.
• Rigid water carts require more space to operate. They perform best on established haul roads where conditions are stable and predictable.

Water capacity and output

• Articulated water carts typically operate up to 50,000 litres. This provides solid dust suppression while maintaining flexibility across more complex site layouts.
• Rigid water carts are built for volume. With capacities up to 120,000 litres, they support longer watering cycles and reduce downtime for refilling.

Haul road performance

• Articulated units are better suited to shorter, more variable routes where terrain and access points change frequently.
• Rigid units are suited to long haul distances. Their stability and higher operating speeds allow efficient coverage across large mine sites.

Stability and load control

• Articulated carts maintain stability through engineered weight distribution and baffling, but are designed to prioritise control over uneven ground rather than speed.
• Rigid water carts offer greater stability under full load, particularly at speed and on downhill haul roads. Their fixed chassis supports consistent handling in high-production environments.

Maintenance and servicing considerations

• Articulated water carts offer easier access across tighter sites and can simplify operation in areas where larger rigid units are less practical.
• Rigid water carts are typically integrated into larger mining fleets, aligning with existing maintenance systems and servicing schedules.

When to choose an articulated water cart

An articulated water cart is the better fit when your site demands flexibility and control over outright volume.

• Tight haul roads and confined operating areas
• Steep grades, ramps and switchbacks
• Variable or uneven ground conditions
• Active sites where conditions change frequently
• Operations that require frequent repositioning across different zones

In these environments, manoeuvrability and traction have a direct impact on productivity and safety. An articulated setup allows operators to maintain consistent dust suppression without being limited by access or terrain.

When a rigid water cart makes more sense

A rigid water cart is the better choice when your operation is built around high-volume output.

• Large-scale mining operations with established haul roads
• Long haul distances requiring extended watering cycles
• High-production environments where uptime is critical
• Sites that benefit from fewer refills and continuous operation
• Stable ground conditions that support higher travel speeds

In these conditions, capacity and efficiency drive performance. A rigid setup allows you to cover more ground per cycle, reduce interruptions and maintain consistent dust suppression across the site.

Other factors to consider when selecting a water cart

Choosing between an articulated vs rigid water cart is only part of the decision. The final specification should match how your site actually operates, both now and as it scales.

• Tank capacity and refill cycles: Larger tanks reduce downtime but require suitable haul conditions and support infrastructure
• Pump performance: Hydraulic centrifugal systems should be matched to tank size and required output
• Spray configuration: Fan sprays, batter sprays and dribble bars need to suit your haul road layout and dust control requirements
• Mine-spec compliance: Safety systems, access and controls must align with site standards
• Serviceability: Easy access to pumps, pipework and components reduces maintenance time and keeps equipment in operation

At Shermac, every water cart is engineered around your site requirements. We work with you to understand your terrain, production targets and fleet setup, then specify a solution that delivers reliable performance now while supporting long-term operational efficiency.

Why mine-spec engineering and reliability matter

Water carts operate in constant load, heat and vibration. If the build quality is not there, downtime follows quickly.

Mine-spec engineering ensures every component is designed to handle harsh site conditions while meeting strict safety and compliance requirements. This includes structural tank integrity, stable load distribution, compliant access systems and reliable pump performance.

For operations, this translates to fewer breakdowns, predictable performance and reduced maintenance pressure. Over time, a well-engineered water cart delivers stronger lifecycle value by keeping your fleet moving and minimising unplanned interruptions.

Articulated vs rigid water cart comparison

Feature	Articulated Water Cart	Rigid Water Cart
Typical Tank Capacity	Up to 50,000 litres	Up to 120,000 litres
Primary Advantage	Manoeuvrability and terrain adaptability	High capacity and continuous output
Chassis Design	Articulated pivot joint for flexible movement	Fixed-frame rigid mining truck
Best Suited Terrain	Uneven ground, ramps, confined haul roads	Established haul roads, stable ground
Turning Capability	Tight turning radius for restricted areas	Wider turning radius, requires more space
Haul Distance Efficiency	Short to medium haul routes	Long haul distances and large sites
Watering Cycle Length	Shorter cycles, more frequent refills	Longer cycles, fewer refills
Operating Speed and Stability	Moderate speed with strong terrain control	Higher speed with excellent load stability
Site Application	Variable, complex and active site conditions	Large-scale, high-production mining operations
Maintenance Considerations	Easier access in tight environments	Integrated into large fleet maintenance systems
Overall Role on Site	Flexible, responsive dust suppression	High-volume, continuous dust suppression

Speak to Shermac about your water cart requirements

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to choosing between an articulated vs rigid water cart. The right solution depends on how your site operates day to day.

If you’re unsure which direction to take, speak with the Shermac team. We’ll work through your site conditions, fleet setup and production requirements to recommend a solution that performs now and continues to deliver long-term reliability.

Enquire today with our engineering team to take the next step towards a more efficient, reliable water cart setup.