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