Quarry Southern Africa July 2017 | Page 27

technology Babcock customers from as far afield as Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique attended the launch event to see the machines first hand. The A60’s payload capacity — 55 metric tonnes, or just under 34m 3 — represents a 40% increase in carrying capacity over Volvo’s previous largest ADT, the A40G. The 40-tonne size class ADTs are popular in South Africa’s quarrying industry, and the six-wheel, all-wheel drive A60H not only represents a quantum leap in improving carrying capacity, but can also handle nearly any terrain, allowing it to work through the rainy season. However, the sheer size of the A60, as well as its large turning circle, makes it an unlike ly contender for many of South Africa’s quarries. The A60’s 16ℓ, 6-cylinder turbocharged 495kW Volvo D16 diesel engine has a fully automatic Allison planetary transmission with six forward and two reverse gears. The matched drivetrain, automatic drive combinations, all-terrain bogie, hydro-mechanical steering, and active hydraulic front suspension allow for higher hauling speeds in tough conditions and help optimise production and minimise operational costs. Volvo’s new on-board weighing system also comes standard, as does the company’s CareTrack telematics system, both of which enable the customer to access information, such as fuel consumption and idling time, allowing them to work out their on-site efficiencies and improve productivity. The truck also has a range of options, allowing customers to tailor the machine to their site specifications. As far as the environmental impact of the A60H, O’Callaghan explains that despite it being so much larger and stronger than the A40 and the A45, its ground pressure is better. “Even though it’s heavier than the A40, thanks to the 33.25R29 tyres, the ground pressure of the A60H is better than that of the A40G and the A35G, so it’s not going to lose traction and slide around in the mud. It also has several features that will be familiar to current series A40 operators, eliminating the need for major retraining of operators,” he adds. Vaughan says South Africa is one of the bigger ADT markets in the world, with an estimated 400 to 500 machines across all size classes sold in a good year. While Volvo has around 50% of the global ADT market share — making it the world’s largest hauler company — its presence in South Africa is lower, since not all its size classes are available in the country. According to Alec Ruston, aftermarket manager Hub South for Volvo AB, 25% of all ADTs sold in Europe, Middle East and Africa are sold to South Africa, while one-third of all ADTs sold in the country are Volvo machines. Aftermarket support Volvo’s A60H is the world’s first 6 × 6 configuration 60-tonne ADT, with a payload capacity of 55 metric tonnes. As one of the most established and experienced equipment suppliers in southern Africa, with an extensive QUARRY SA | JULY 2017 _ 25