Modern Mining October 2017

LOADERS, EXCAVATORS AND TRUCKS

notching up 6 000 hours with the G410 heavy tipper; they have been very impressed with its performance and reliability.” She emphasised that the G410 and the G460 heavy tippers offer improved envi- ronmental performance in comparison to yellow metal competitors – delivering bet- ter fuel efficiency and a lower carbon footprint. “At the same time, they still deliver the operational perfor- mance that operators require under demanding condi- tions,” she said. “In the quarry application, for instance, the recommended specification was 12 mm steel for floor and 8 mm for the sides of the tipper bucket, resulting in a robust load bin that is rock-tolerant and able to endure harsh min- ing environments.” The G460 comes standard

technology in tracking and improving produc- tion performance. An on-board loadcell, for instance, helps to accurately track material moved without the need for a separate on-site weigh-bridge. Friberg emphasised the importance of Scania’s century of hands-on research and development, which is leveraged in the design of the new mining truck. “Our R&D is based on constant contact with customers, to ensure that our designs are based on what customers need,” he said. “This close contact is also vital to optimally configure the truck for every specific application; we assess the customer’s operation carefully before arriv- ing at our recommendation.” A range of mining functions can be addressed using Scania solutions, he adds, from site preparation, blasting and off-road hauling to on-road haulage and the transporting of work- ers to and from site. Service options are also becoming more innovative, as Scania offers on-site servicing should the customer’s size of operation warrant this, said Adams-Kruger. “Containerised workshops are becoming popular as a strategy to improve uptime, as the service offering is always readily available,” she said. “This option adds further support to Scania’s already broad footprint of support facilities and expertise.” 

with heavy-duty rear axles with cast-iron hous- ings, and reinforced front axles with excellent ground clearance – as well as the ‘opticruise’ feature that provides accurate and smooth auto- mated gear changing for reduced driver fatigue and improved productivity. The capacity of the 8 x 4 configuration of the heavy tipper varies from 18 to 40 cubic metres depending on material density; the range of rec- ommended tipper body sizes makes it suitable for heavier minerals like iron ore and copper or lighter material such as salt and coal. There is also a 6 x 4 configuration with capacities from 13,5 to 30 cubic metres. First to market with its dual cylinder option, Scania has improved truck stability and reduced tipping cycles. “The G460 model is just what is required in South Africa’s uncertain mining and quarrying sector, where so many companies are taking a ‘wait and see’ approach,” said Govender. “The features of Scania’s heavy tipper – combined with its attractive capital cost – make the deci- sion to re-invest much easier for opencast operations and quarries that are struggling to maintain plant efficiency.” He noted that the capex saving also allows owners to consider multiple units to further improve operational flexibility and reduce downtime risk. Added value comes in the form of Scania’s driver training programmes and features such as the vehicle’s communication

The new Scania G460 big tipper at the recent Futuroad Expo at Nasrec near Johannesburg – promising efficiency and economy alongside robust performance in mining applications.

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October 2017  MODERN MINING  41