HIGH PROFILE for the R60 with Stage V engines when these become available in 2023 . Beyond Scandinavia we have also shipped units to Poland and Austria as an example . Worldwide , demand for rigid trucks is huge at the minute , but supply is limited and lead times are long due to the global logistical problems we are still seeing .
Q In the markets where you have units running , what has the feedback been like ? A We have had some great feedback , especially where the dealers have good knowledge of the rigid hauler and mining applications . These dealers have invested a lot of resource as well as ensuring they have a good spare parts inventory , the right tools , plus trained technicians – all close to the customer . The R100E offers uptime comparable or superior to any other truck in its class . Some of our larger dealers have additionally kept some of our rigids as part of their rental fleets . Looking at Indonesia , using a lighter design means the R100E has a maximum payload of 99 t . That ’ s a full 4 t more than the regular version with its 95 t payload . The capacity of the body for the lighter version is increased too , from 60.4 m 3 , with the regular version to 65 m 3 for the lighter version . This capability is greater than any competitor offering in the 100-ton class , enabling customers to increase profitability on top of the obvious productivity gains . The R100E V-shaped body is designed for optimum load retention and minimal material carry-back , while the body-tipping system ensures efficient dumping . The On-Board Weighing option is an integrated system that ensures the machine moves the optimum safe payload to further optimise production and minimise operational costs . The hauler also has impressive tractive effort meaning no terrain is too deep or steep . An engine overspeed protection feature automatically slows down the machine to within safe operating limits if the driver goes too fast . In addition , a neutral coast inhibitor and transmission retarder are included as standard to protect the hauler in downhill operations . Fail-safe braking and secondary steering systems provide extra security . Overall , there is a major difference between the performance of the old Terex Trucks TR100 and the Volvo CE R100E .
Q Can you talk about the product evolution timeline for the sub-100 ton models ? A The R60D in particular remains one of our most in demand models so after the R100 that has been our main focus , albeit interrupted by the pandemic . The next generation of the 60 ton I can say is well on its way and is set to be launched soon . Currently , we have a few pilot units running with a customer in the UK . Like the R100E , this is a completely redesigned model from the ground up . As before we will launch a version for unregulated markets first , followed by a Stage V engine version for regulated markets . But the time gap between the two this time will be much shorter , partly reflecting the fact that unregulated countries are catching up in terms of emissions requirements . The new R70 will come soon after that .
Q Why produce both a 60 ton and a 70 ton machine , do they both have distinct market niches ? A That is a good question as they do overlap in terms of markets , and they do share a lot of components . The 70 ton is a very good and stable truck size – and the largest truck you will get in most quarries , with the exception of some superquarries of which in the UK for example there are only a handful . Therefore , our R70 and predecessor TR70 have had a really good and solid footprint in hard rock quarrying operations . While the 60 ton rigid is also widely used in quarrying , it is also seeing a lot of demand in mining for coal haulage , infrastructure work etc – and in certain markets , like Indonesia and Brazil , it competes well with the increasingly large number of so called “ wide body ” trucks coming out of China – but often these trucks , as well as Chinese rigids in this class , do not have the same sales and service support over time as we would have . Back to the truck sizes – in the market a lot also depends on the primary crusher or hopper dump capacity in the operation , which can dictate
Volvo R60D rigid haulers supplied to coal mining contractor Atlantis Mining by Babcock
the truck size that can be used .
Q Finally , aside from the next generation 60 and 70 ton rigids ; can you comment on work being done by Volvo CE in areas like electric drive inclusion , or even battery electric powertrains ? A Volvo Group and Volvo CE have been very open in their commitment to decarbonisation and safety operational safety in the form of automation – exemplified by development projects like the autonomous , cab-less and battery powered TA15 hauler , which comes under Volvo Autonomous Solutions and is running at several sites including a Holcim limestone quarry in Switzerland . Larger sizes of that design are being looked at . Volvo also recently started testing a hydrogen fuel cell powered ADT – the HX04 – in Sweden . Plus there is the option of hydrogen as a fuel for the combustion engine . And there is the option to have diesel engines running on HVO fuel , powering electric wheel motors on smaller trucks , which are already dominant in the larger mining trucks . As far as the Volvo rigids are concerned , it is obvious that these types of things are also on our roadmap given the 30 % reduced emissions target that Volvo has set by 2030 and beyond , zero emissions by 2040 . I can ’ t say much more but I can say that for every Volvo truck size and class there is a lot of focus on developing an autonomous and electric version – as the Volvo Climate Strategy and goals dictate that there will have to be . But there are several avenues as to how we get there , and as with other OEMs we haven ’ t put all our eggs in one basket just yet . IM
OCTOBER 2022 | International Mining 17