• GLOBAL NEWS
RUSSIA:
TRUCKS FOR EXTREME MINING
Four Terex Trucks TA400 articulated haulers have clocked up
about 48 000 hours in a remote coal mine in Siberia, Russia,
where they are braving extreme conditions and sub-zero
temperatures. Terex Trucks’ TA400 is a straightforward solution
to the challenges faced at the toughest jobsites, delivering a
heavy-duty, efficient performance in all conditions.
Situated in eastern Siberia, the Arpatsky coal mine is a tough
workplace for operators and machines. The long winter – when
temperatures can get as low as minus 45˚Celsius – puts mining
equipment to the test. For the last eight years, four Terex Trucks
TA400 articulated haulers have been working at the coal mine,
delivering reliable workshifts despite the adverse conditions.
The dump trucks – offering a maximum payload of 38 tonnes
(41.9 tons) – are transporting coal and overburden, working
up to 22 hours a day. During winter, the ground is covered
with snow for many months, which means the haulers have
to operate on slippery surfaces and navigate steep, icy slopes.
“The robustness of the TA400 and its ability to deliver a reliable
performance in tough conditions was a big part of the reason
we chose Terex Trucks haulers over other brands,” says Dmitry
Dulin, chief engineer at the Arpatsky coal mine. “Since 2012, our
haulers have already clocked close to 48 000 hours and they are
still going strong,” he says.
The truck operators appreciate the TA400’s ability to climb and
descend the slopes at the coal mine. “The hauler handles the
downhill slopes smoothly and safely,” says Oleg Likhodumov,
director of mining operations at Arpatsky. “With the exhaust
break, we don’t even need to use the brakes when going down
steep hills,” he adds. The TA400’s modulating transmission
retarder is coupled with an efficient exhaust brake and fully
enclosed oil-cooled multidisc brakes, which provides optimum
control and increased safety on steep slopes.
“In mines, you need powerful, robust machines that can perform
in extreme environments,” says John Rotherford, global key
accounts director at Terex Trucks. “The drivetrain of the TA400
is perfectly matched to the engine and designed to maintain
traction and speed on the toughest jobsites for outstanding
productivity at all times.”
According to Dmitry Glazunov, Deputy Director at the Arpatsky,
the TA400 offers the complete package. “It’s simple to operate,
reliable and delivers low total cost of ownership. Another
benefit is that the machines are easy to service – the axle, gears
and engine are all easy to access, so service and maintenance
work is straightforward, without needing special diagnostic
equipment,” he adds.
Terex Trucks offers dedicated on-site maintenance and support
services, which is especially important in Russia as the country
is so vast – often dealers’ branches are based hundreds of miles
away. “Our dealer, Mining Eurasia, handles all the maintenance
of our trucks,” says Dimitry. “There’s a workshop with spare parts
at the coal mine, so we can get round-the-clock servicing.”
The TA400, the largest articulated hauler on offer from Terex
Trucks, has a heaped capacity of 23.3 m 3 (30.3 yd 3 ). Powered
by a high performance, fuel efficient engine that develops a
gross power of 331 kW (444 hp), the TA400 is designed to meet
the demands of the most extreme operations such as quarries,
mines and large-scale construction projects. The planetary
gear transmission provides smooth, efficient gear shifting for
optimised fuel consumption and reduced cost of operation.
Ground level test points and a fully tilting cab, combined
with an electronically raised hood, ensure ease of service and
maximum uptime.
The TA400 ensures optimum control and increased safety in
adverse conditions.
Terex
Four Terex trucks have been working in extreme conditions at the Arpatsky coal mine in Siberia, Russia.
12 • African Mining •May 2020
www. africanmining.co.za