Capital Equipment News May 2018

COVER STORY

HIGH PRODUCTION AT LOWER COST PER TONNE Barloworld Equipment delivered the first three Cat 777E off-highway trucks in Africa to Exxaro Coal’s Leeuwpan mine in Mpumalanga, South Africa, in March 2017 and has since sold more than 70 units to customers across southern Africa.

T he Leeuwpan trucks, supplied with larger coal bodies for optimum pro- duction, were among the first Cat 777Es to come off the production line at Caterpillar’s off-highway truck manufac- turing facility in India. The mine has since taken delivery of three more Cat 777E trucks and further orders are anticipated. Nico Geldenhuys, Caterpillar certified sales professional at Barloworld Equipment Middelburg, was responsible for the first sale of the new model into Africa. “Leeuwpan is a long-term Barloworld Equipment customer and has a fleet of 12 Cat 777F trucks on site that have provided excellent reliability through the years,” he explains. “The new 777E trucks replaced competing 100 t capacity machines in line with the customer’s wish to standardise to Cat trucks.” “Leeuwpan is achieving average mechanical availabilities of 90% from its 777E fleet and the operators love the new ergonomically designed Cat comfort cab that helps prevent fatigue,” says Geldenhuys. The new model has been well received by the local market as the successor to the respected Cat 777D model. Among several other orders, Liviero Mining purchased 16 x 777Es from Barloworld Equipment in 2017 and the units are performing well on various coal mines in Mpumalanga. “We expect Liviero to start replacing its older 777D models with the new 777E in the near future,” says Geldenhuys. The Cat 777D model was launched in 1996 and has been a firm industry favourite for more than 20 years, largely due to its durability and reliability. The new Cat 777E provides several enhancements based on customer feedback around the world. In addition to the updated 777E, customers

also have the choice of the premium high spec 777G. Key improvements Customers can expect to achieve lower cost per tonne with the 777E through improvements in productivity, fuel economy, durability and maintenance costs. Geldenhuys explains that the new model offers the highest payload and best safety features in its class. “The Cat 777E trucks are well priced and offer the same C32 ACERT technology engines as the F series, as well as other interchangeable components,” he says. “The 777E, with the C32 ACERT Tier 2 engine, has a lower fuel burn rate than the Cat 777D’s 3508B engine. The 500-hour oil change intervals have doubled from the 250 hours specified on the 777D. The new truck also has the option of sealed wet brakes all round and not just at the rear,” adds Geldenhuys. “The more efficient design of the E series makes it 7 t lighter than competing trucks. It also comes standard with the technology to connect to Equipment Management Services (EMS) for improved machine management and maintenance. EMS gives Barloworld Equipment customers the ability to listen to their machines and make decisions about maintenance, parts and operator training,” he says. Fuel economy The Cat C32 engine provides 758 kW of gross power compared to 746 kW on the 3508B engine in the 777D model, delivering 5% savings in fuel. The Tier 2 rating of the C32 translates into lower emissions than the Tier 1 rating of the

The new 777E is the successor to the respected Cat 777D model.

previous 3508B engine. Several new features come standard or as options on the Cat 777E, further contributing to fuel savings. For example, an Auto Neutral Idle feature engages with idling in forward gear, placing the transmission in neutral to save fuel. Forward gear is reinstated when the controls are touched. The optional Engine Idle Shutdown feature automatically shuts the engine down to conserve fuel after a period of idling in the park position. The timing of the shutdown can be programmed according to conditions and requirements. Overload Speed Limiter can also be enabled for effective hauling of the target payload. A warning is issued when operating conditions exceed acceptable limits, prompting the operator to run the truck at its most efficient engine rpm and gear, again saving fuel as well as improving component and tyre life. The operator can also select an optional Economy Mode, which reduces engine power by 10%. Convenient servicing Servicing, the bugbear of mining equipment owners, is even more convenient in the 777E with engine oil changes extended to 500 hours and hydraulic filter life extended

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS MAY 2018 4