New articulated haulers are generating big interest in the quarrying and equipment rental sectors, while one existing ADT line continues to attract strong demand. Guy Woodford reports. Caterpillar has given dealers and customers a first glimpse of the new Hydex BH40 articulated block handler.
New articulated haulers are generating big interest in the quarrying and equipment rental sectors, while one existing ADT line continues to attract strong demand. Guy Woodford reports.
Caterpillar has given dealers and customers a first glimpse of the new Hydex BH40 articulated block handler.
Appearing at a demonstration at the Caterpillar Block Handling Days at a Carrara marble quarry, near Pisa in Italy, the machine is specifically designed to transport mining blocks around the site easily and safely.
Articulated Truck Solutions LLP offers a range of Hydex products and provides Caterpillar dealers worldwide with access to industry-specific articulated truck products.
Built around the Cat 740B articulated dump truck (ADT) chassis, the BH40 enables operators to carry out single or multiple blocks with a maximum payload of 42tonnes, “thus maximising productivity.”
By integrating into the main Cat hoist circuit, operating the main hoist lever in the cab causes the two central block supports to open and close simultaneously through the use of four Caterpillar hydraulic cylinders to ensure an easy, steady movement.
“These cylinders are located safely within the machine frame to help prevent damage from the blocks. The system enables operators to carry single or multiple smaller blocks yet still maintain optimum support when a single larger block is carried,” says Articulated Truck Solutions.
Both sets of supports move in unison to ensure that the centre of the load is correctly positioned over the centre and rear axles, and a fixed frame option is also available for sites where block size is more consistent.
Optional payload monitoring enables the operator to view very accurately how the truck is loaded to prevent overload and potential machine damage.
“With the use of the weight measurement system it is very simple to use the machine to carry multiple, similarly sized blocks without overloading the machine.”
Each support beam is fitted with two 3m-long wooden beams (often easily replaceable railway sleepers) which help to prevent movement of the block in transport.
The design of Doosan Construction Equipment’s new version DA30 and DA40 ADTs are said to go much further than simply meeting Stage IV/Tier 4 Final engine emissions regulations.
Like all Doosan ADTs, the new DA30 and DA40 models feature an articulation hinge positioned behind the turning ring to provide equal weight distribution to the front axle even during maximum steer articulation. This together with a free-swinging rear tandem bogie is said to ensure equal distribution of weight to each wheel, while guaranteeing permanent six-wheel contact and drive for equal power distribution and excellent performance on difficult terrain.
The claimed ‘best-in-class’ fuel consumption of the new ADT models is down to a combination of features including new Scania Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (ECR) diesel engines and a new ZF EP transmission, improving the transfer of power from the engine to the wheels for outstanding traction.
The new Doosan DA30 and DA40 ADTs are powered by Scania DC9 276kW and DC13 368kW diesel engines, respectively, meeting the Stage IV/Tier 4 Final emissions regulations through the use of both SCR and EGR technologies, with an electronic engine brake system, one of four brake systems on the trucks.
Specifically designed by ZF for use on ADTs, the new ZF EP countershaft transmission provides eight forward speeds, with a top speed of 55km/h and four reverse speeds. In the DA30 and DA40 models, the front differential is mounted directly onto the transmission, so there is no driveline that needs greasing and reducing the overall length of the machine for better weight distribution and a tighter turning circle. With smaller equal gear steps between gears, and a higher overall gear spread (eight forward gears), the transmission works optimally with the engine for better fuel efficiency.
The DA30 and DA40 Stage IV/Tier 4 Final ADTs have been tested with a new tracking and management system to be launched in the near future by Doosan and have been shown to deliver outstanding fuel consumption figures to provide an excellent cost per tonne transported. This is an improvement on the already excellent figures for the Stage IIIB/T4i machines in operation around the world, which are claimed to have outperformed other machines on the market by up to 15% and, in some cases, have carried up to 10% more load.
The ROPS/FOPS cab on the new version Doosan ADTs has been designed with simplicity of use and operator comfort in mind. One of the most spacious on the market, it has ample room for a trainer seat, cool box and cup holder. With a noise level of only 72dBA, it is also said to be one of the quietest cabs on the market.
For reduced maintenance and better stability, the turning ring mounted on the front part of the truck also results in less wear on tyres and driveline.
Leading central England plant hire firm JoinPoint has purchased 20 E-series ADTs from Bell Equipment in a major move to refresh and expand its fleet.
Now in its 25th year, JoinPoint runs a large plant hire operation from its headquarters in central Leicester. The company has been using Bell as its sole supplier of ADTs since 2002, when owner Paul Finnegan and managing director David Brown ordered four machines. Since then, JoinPoint has regularly added further models and now has more than 20 Bell ADTs in its fleet.
The decision to upgrade to the recently-launched E-series reflects JoinPoint’s confidence in the prospects for UK industry. “With many encouraging signs that the recession is lifting, companies are clamouring for high quality plant equipment and we are well placed to meet this growing demand,” explained David Brown. “It’s an ideal time to grow the business and prepare for our next 25 years.”
There was no doubt in JoinPoint’s mind about continuing to use Bell ADTs. “Bell and JoinPoint are both family-owned companies with an emphasis on exceptional service,” Brown said. “Even though the Bell family is based in South Africa, it always ensures that the UK team shares those values.”
JoinPoint prefers to run 30tonne capacity machines, finding them the most appropriate solution for the needs of its customers – so has ordered 20 B30Es, part of the new generation E-series. This builds upon the proven legacy of the successful D-series already in use at JoinPoint, in order to deliver increased production payloads, lower daily operating costs, superior ride quality and uncompromised safety standards. Key amongst its advantages is unrivalled fuel efficiency, with the lowest cost/tonne on the market.
The current deal was struck in March 2014 at ConExpo 2014 in Las Vegas, while representatives from JoinPoint (Paul Finnegan, his daughter Ruby and David Brown) also visited Bell’s offices in Barton Under Needwood, county Staffordshire, central England to inspect the first shipment of five machines prior to delivery.
The E-series ADTs are being supplied in a phased operation, with the first having already been delivered directly to JoinPoint customers where the initial feedback is said to be extremely strong. As the new machines are bedded in, Bell is buying back the existing D-series models as part of the deal with JoinPoint. “Bell has always been good to us, and their handling of the new deal has been exemplary, even by their usual high standards,” said David.
Remaining in the UK, a resurgent British equipment rental market and high utilisation rates is said to have prompted successful equipment hire company L. Lynch Plant Hire and Haulage to add a further six TA300 articulated haulers to its 30-strong fleet of Terex trucks.
The haulers, which entered service in early June 2014, are all hired out for at least the next year, in a sign of the shortage of high quality construction equipment in the UK’s recovering building industry. The six new machines come hot on the heels of a further 25 haulers purchased by L. Lynch Plant Hire in recent months – also 30tonne TA300 models from Terex Trucks.
“We’ve seen rapid growth in our business over the last four years; a feat we’ve achieved by focusing on the needs of customers and by being able to supply and support them with modern, quality equipment,” said company director Merrill Lynch, who manages the equipment fleet at Lynch.
“This has attracted some of the largest contractors in the country to us, with our machines working on prominent construction projects such as Crossrail in London.
But all customers, quite rightly, demand maximum fuel efficiency and uptime from their equipment – that’s why Terex Trucks’ service and support network played such an important element in our decision to stick with them.”
