Modern Mining February 2018

COVER STORY

of rigid haulers means that, over time, the pro- duction of Terex Trucks rigid trucks will cease. Vaughan stresses, however, that customers with TR-Series rigid trucks in their fleets need have no concerns. “We will continue to back these machines with the market-leading support which is the hallmark of Babcock,” he says. He also points out that there will be no effect on Volvo CE’s Terex Trucks-branded articulated hauler range. “Volvo CE has made it clear that the articulated haulers – which have a very loyal following in our local market – will continue to be designed and built at the Motherwell factory and distributed through the existing Terex Trucks independent dealer net- work,” he states. Turning to the imminent arrival in South Africa of the L350H, Vaughan says the machine – which succeeds the L350F and is Volvo’s larg- est wheel loader – was launched at last year’s ConExpo in Las Vegas. “It is the ideal partner for our bigger Volvo articulated haulers, such as the A40, the A45 and the A60, and we see it being used in both mining and quarrying appli- cations. The unit we’re bringing in has been sold to an alluvial diamond miner working in the Northern Cape area.” The L350H – which Volvo CE describes as “new from the inside out” – is fitted with ‘next generation’ load-sensing hydraulics and is powered by a D16E engine offering a maximum power output of 397 kW. Buckets available include rehandling, general purpose and rock buckets, with the general purpose buckets hav- ing capacities from 7,3 m 3 to 8,4 m 3 . The new load-sensing hydraulic system

works in greater harmony with the drivetrain, increasing response times (and lifting and low- ering speed of the buckets) resulting in up to 5 % faster cycle times. The L350H is equipped with the latest tech- nology dedicated to reducing fuel consumption and engine emissions. Volvo’s Fully Automatic Power Shift (FAPS) system allows for machine operation in the optimal, fuel efficient, gear, according to speed, kick-down and engine braking, enhancing fuel efficiency. This is com- plemented by an eco-pedal, with a push-back mechanism that engages when engine rpm is about to exceed the most economic operating range. Sensing the resistance, the operator can then reduce the pressure and continue within the fuel-efficient range. However, if full engine

The all-new E-Series R100E, the flagship of Volvo’s rigid hauler range.

The Volvo R60D rigid haulers offer a payload of 60 tons.

February 2018  MODERN MINING  19