Modern Quarrying Q3 2018

Alpha Sand has deployed Scania tippers to haul aggregates from the stockpiles to different customer sites around Polokwane.

“Within the Scania truck, there is also what they call Driver Scoring. This constantly rates the driver through a star-rating system. As they are driving, Driver Scoring gives them tips on how to improve in certain areas.” NIEKIE VANWAVEREN

make use of the engine and wheel brakes only. Conventionally, the way to slow down a moving truck – in addition to applying wheel brakes – is to shift down and use the engine brake. All trucks have an engine brake. Scania trucks also come with a Scania Retarder, which together with downshifting, can be consid- ered a third auxiliary braking system. The retarder is used to supplement the main braking system by reduc- ing the amount of effort that the primary braking system must assert

brakes unnecessarily is in the hands of the driver at all times. “On Scania trucks, the interface between the driver and the retarder is not a hand-operated lever, but is incorporated into the brake pedal itself. the first part of the brake pedal travel applies the retarder, and only after further application of the pedal will the service brakes come into play,” explains Niekie van Waveren.

to bring a vehicle to a stop. He reasons that the difference between Scania and its competitors’ retarder is the interface between the driver and the retarder. On compet- itor trucks that are also equipped with a retarder, the driver has to con- sciously apply the retarder by hand to slow down the truck. This means that the effective use of the retarder to save money by not using service

21

QUARTER 3 - 2018 MODERN QUARRYING