MINING TRUCKS
automotive-style cab, an automatic climate
control system, reduced in-cab noise levels of 75
dBA, and a number of new features to reduce
vibration and movement. These include large
capacity viscous cab mountings, a hydro-
pneumatic suspension system and independent
McPherson strut type suspension on the front
wheels.
“These upgrades, combined with the
additional operator feedback, monitoring and
situational awareness systems, along with
centralised maintenance locations, make this a
far safer truck to operate, maintain and work
around,” said Harrington. “This, in conjunction
with its productivity, efficiency and
maintainability improvements, position the
HD1500-8 as the leading truck in this class,” he
said.
Caterpillar 794AC…and 793F Tier 4
Final
Caterpillar introduced its newest large mining
truck, the 290 t capacity 794 AC at MINExpo
International in September 2016. The truck uses
a combination of proven designs, such as a
chassis that has accumulated about 18 million
operating hours and an AC powertrain that has
racked up 4 million hours.
John Ingle, Caterpillar Performance Manager
for Larger Mining Trucks states: “The 794 has a
fully integrated Cat electric drive system —
engine, drive train, software controls, everything.
That means we can have better efficiency and
utilise features like Cat oil-cooled disc brakes on
all four corners. All these features come together
in one truck that is entirely supported by
Caterpillar and Cat dealers.”
Today, after five years of extensive field testing
at key mines, 794s are operating in four
countries —working in applications ranging from
deep pit copper in the western United States to
coal and copper in South America. “Field testing
also included comparisons against trucks in this
size class that were built by other
manufacturers,” says Ingle. “These comparisons
have helped miners recognise the 794 AC’s
advantages.” Caterpillar told IM that orders are
now picking up on the basis of these trials and
the market improvement.
These attributes include a true 290 t payload
and faster speed on grade. “During trials in the
field, the properly-loaded 794 AC operating on an
11% grade consistently demonstrated a 1 km/h
speed advantage over the competition,” Ingle
said. “This advantage was attributed primarily to
the competitive truck’s higher field weight.”
Ingle also points out that oil-cooled wet disc
brakes are a hallmark of Cat design. The Cat
braking and retarding dynamics provide added
control, and significantly greater retarding power
helps deliver faster cycle times. Also, greater
20 International Mining | MAY 2018
Today, after five
years of extensive
field testing at key
mines, Cat 794s are
operating in four
countries —working
in applications
ranging from deep
pit copper in the
western United
States to coal and
copper in South
America
stall torque delivers superior performance in soft
underfoot conditions.
“Now mines using trucks in this size class
have a proven Caterpillar option when it’s time to
replace their aging 290 t fleets,” Ingle says.
“They don’t have to adjust their operations to a
different sized truck or a different drive system.”
In extensive testing and field validation trials,
the new Cat Tier 4 Final 793F mining truck has
proven it equals performance of the 793F
configured to meet Tier 2 emission standards,
and it burns less diesel fuel than the Tier 2
model. The 793F, the market leader in the 227 t
size class, is available to meet US EPA Tier 4 Final
emission standards in the United States and
Canada.
The Tier 4 Final 793F successfully completed
field validation, with all of the pilot machines
exceeding requirements. Two of the pilot trucks
accumulated more than 7,600 operating hours in
their first year in the field. The trucks were put to
the test in a variety of applications, including
cold ambient temperatures, high ambient
temperatures, uphill h