In a massive fleet replacement programme, a major mining contractor is taking delivery of a large fleet of Volvo A60H articulated dump trucks (ADTs) and Volvo EC950E excavators. One of the first customers to purchase the A60H and the EC950 combination in South Africa, the client’s buying decision has been reinforced by the reliability, productivity and efficiency of the machines.
Following their Southern African launch in 2017, both the 55-tonne (t) Volvo A60H, the biggest fully articulated hauler in the world, and its capable loading tool, the 90-t EC950E, the largest crawler excavator in the Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) stable, have enjoyed great success in the region.
To provide context, 260 A60H and 75 EC950E units are now operational in the field, with some major fleets running in South Africa and Namibia, confirms David Vaughan, Managing Director, Babcock’s Equipment business.
From the onset, the introduction of the two machines was marked by several global firsts for Babcock. The local launch on May 4, 2017, marked the official global customer-based launch of the machines. In another key first, Babcock was the first Volvo CE dealer in the world to place an order for the A60H when one of its long-standing customers ordered three units.
As an indicator of the continued success of the two machines in the local market, a major mining contractor, one of the very first recipients of the A60H and EC950E combination, has placed an order for 48 A60H and 12 EC950E units. With its existing 62 A60H and 21 EC950E units, the customer is currently running one of the largest A60H fleets in the local market.
The new fleet, which will be delivered over a period of six months, is part of a fleet replacement programme, with some of the A60H units having clocked 30 000 hours, and most of the EC950E’s having surpassed the 20 000-hour mark.
Proven capabilities
According to Vaughan, the client’s buying decision comes on the back of the machines’ proven capabilities in heavy hauling applications at high production mine sites where the client operates. With its 55-t payload capacity, the A60H has proven to be the preferred hauling solution for the mining contractor. In fact, 12 of the new 48 recently ordered machines will replace an existing fleet of 12 60-t rigid haulers in the customer’s fleet.
“The customer has found the A60H to be the perfect hauler for its applications. The replacement of existing rigid haulers is influenced by the fact that the 55-t hauler not only meets the production capacity required by the customer, but also that the ADT is versatile in all weather conditions, while rigids tend to struggle in tough underfoot conditions, especially now with the rainy season fast approaching,” says Vaughan.
With its 55-t capacity, the Volvo A60H has helped the client keep a lid on high production costs due to its higher payload that significantly increases productivity at lower cost per tonne production. With its 34 m³ capacity, the A60H delivers up to 40% more productivity than Volvo’s previous largest hauler, the A40G, which comes in at 24 m³. It is powered by a 16-litre D16 engine Volvo engine delivering 382 kW of power and 495 Nm of torque.
While it is a high production machine, it is not just the largest sites that can accommodate the 55-t hauler. Although the A60H offers 40% more capacity than the A40G, it is only 432 mm wider, 940 mm longer and 254 mm higher than the A40G.
“The A60H has also been designed with serviceability in mind. The front grill swings down, acting as a service platform with anti-slip steps. Its electric hood opens to 90⁰, combined with electric belly plate, allowing for full access to the engine compartment,” explains Vaughan. “With uptime in mind, the A60H’s dump support systems, Hill Assist and load and dump brake, help operators stay in control at times when better productivity and safety are necessary.”
The EC950E crawler excavator is the ultimate loading tool for the A60H. With its 90-t capacity, it is designed to load the 55-t hauler cost-effectively, achieving five to six passes per load. According to Vaughan, the rule of thumb is typically four to six passes or under 90-second loading. The goal is to maximise the total cycle time; fewer passes result in shorter cycle times, which in turn increase production.
“With over 424 kN of breakout force and 408 kN of tearout force, the EC950E offers a combination of power and stability to handle the high capacity duties in tough conditions such as hard rock mining, coal mining and big quarry applications,” says Vaughan.
It is powered by a 446-kW Volvo D16 engine, the same motor driving the A60H, thus enhancing parts’ commonality. The enhanced hydraulic system increases pump power for a fast, smooth and efficient operation, and places control in the operator’s hands. Using intelligent technology, the system controls on-demand flow and reduces internal losses in the hydraulic circuit.
Combined with Volvo’s ECO Mode, the hydraulic system reduces loss of flow and pressure to achieve greater fuel efficiency. The integrated work mode allows operators to choose the best work mode for the task at hand, from I (Idle), F(Fine), G (General) to H (Heavy) and P (Power max).
The EC950E features a wide track gauge, long track length, a retractable undercarriage and an optimised counterweight, resulting in a well-balanced, solid machine. All machine interfaces – including joysticks, keypad and LCD monitor – are ergonomically positioned and designed for optimum control and efficiency.
Service matters
To get the best out of its Volvo machines, the customer maintains a relentless service regime. This is done through a service contract with Babcock. One of the major benefits of Babcock’s service contracts is that customers can save money in the long run by avoiding unexpected and expensive repairs.
Another big benefit of Babcock’s service contracts is that Babcock service technicians are always up to date with the latest product improvements. As the authorised Volvo CE dealer, Babcock has access to all the latest product upgrades from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), which is not the case with third-party service contractors.
“By using Volvo genuine parts and Volvo approved oils, we maintain the machines in peak operating condition. Our service contracts ensure that the customer’s assets deliver the required productivity and availability, while optimising performance and efficiency of the equipment. In addition, the benefit of machine longevity cannot be stated enough. This customer’s A60H units, for example, have already hit 30 000 trouble-free hours, and counting,” concludes Vaughan.
