Capital Equipment News August 2020

as a larger advisor display as an interface for operator, monitor, payload, service, settings and service mode. “To help the operator optimise productivity and prevent premature wear, the Truck Production Management System incorporating strut pressure sensors and on-board computing can be installed with a scoreboard on the exterior to indicate under- or overloading.” Safety is a priority, with a new four-point access system and joystick gearshift control with inbuilt parking brake control. Other safety features include delayed engine shutdown to allow system components to cool, and engine crank lock-out to lock the engine and disable the starter during servicing. “The durability of the Cat 777 series continues with a new truck frame design that excludes bumper extensions but offers increased strength of the front bumper to improve the approach angle of the truck,” says Coetzee. 597 Volvo R100E Vaughan says Volvo Construction Equipment offers a range of rigid haulers including the R100E dumper. “There are a number of these machines currently operating locally and, to date, the results have been very pleasing,” he says. “The machines are proving to be reliable, productive and fuel efficient.” He says this efficiency, which is aided by Volvo Dynamic Shift Control, has produced “favourable” worksite performance results at the Manungu- Welgevonden Colliery in Mpumalanga, for instance. “The R100E was put to work on various sections of the colliery, where overburden hauling resulted in payloads between 93 and 103 t. Topsoil hauling resulted in payloads between 62 and 73 t and the haul cycles equated to 1 100 m, one way. The best fuel consumption recorded was 41,4 l per hour on an average payload of 95 t. This translates to around 2,3 t per l.” He says the components making up the drivetrain are “perfectly matched”, resulting in a machine that can cope efficiently with steep inclines. The drivetrain is configured and calibrated to facilitate electronic integration between the engine and transmission. This, says Vaughan, adds to cost-effective and productive performance. “This integration between engine and transmission ensures smooth gear shifts which, in turn, result in consistent momentum, ultimately leading to reduced operating costs.”

Barloworld Equipment delivered some of South Africa’s first Caterpillar 777Es in 2016.

The 100 t class is the preferred truck size for smaller mining operations and contract miners around the world

These machines are ideal when large quantities of material must be moved on haul roads that are well maintained and generally in good condition

There are a number of these machines currently operating locally and, to date, the results have been very pleasing

The market outlook for 100 t haulers is good, given that these trucks' versatility is undisputed. These machines will no doubt continue to hold firm as a viable option in any fleet

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“The optional Engine Idle Shutdown feature automatically shuts the engine down to conserve fuel after a period of idling in the park position.” He says the timing of the shutdown can be programmed according to conditions and requirements. An overload speed limiter can also be enabled for effective hauling. A warning is issued when operating conditions exceed acceptable limits, prompting the operator to run the truck at its most efficient engine revolutions and gear to save fuel while improving component and tyre life. The operator can also select an optional

economy mode which reduces engine power by 10%. “Servicing is even more convenient in the 777E with engine oil changes extended to 500 hours and hydraulic filter life extended to 1000 hours.” Added to ground-level access to the electrical service centre and an option of grouped grease points, is a new optional fluid service centre with fluid level indicators on a keypad. He says the redesigned cab interior provides better visibility and comfort. The operator station includes a new dashboard, gauge cluster and centre console, as well

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