Construction World March 2016

TWO mixer models – complete SOLUTION

Scania’s P-series provides high- standard working accommodations within compact dimensions. For high-volume payloads and frequent stops and starts, this series gives drivers both ample working space and easy cab access. Aside from reduced weight and extra payload space, the shorter cab of this series is ideally suited to congested urban streets and busy construction sites. Theuns Naude, Scania South Africa’s key account manager: construction says, “The Scania mixer chassis can achieve the maximum allowed payloads without fear of overloading with the competitive fuel consumption edge that Scania is known for. The feedback from customers is that the power to mass ratio is very good – and they are impressed with the driver comfort.” Some of these customers include the Independent Group in the Eastern Cape and Nikita Construction in KwaZulu-Natal. “One metre cube of wet concrete weighs approximately 2,4 tons, so 6 m 3 will weigh 14,4 tons and 8 m 3 19,2 tons,” explains Naude. Powerful “The horse power required for mixers is normally in a band from 280 to about 400 hp,” says Naude. Scania’s two models offer 310 and 410 hp respectively. The P310 generates 228 kW and the P410 302 kW. Because of the Scania modular concept, the chassis for the mixer models is the same as its other construction vehicles. “The only difference is the positioning of the power take-off (PTO) – it is in a different position and drives from a 12 o’clock position between the gearbox and the engine,” explains Naude. Saving time for bodybuilders The vehicles arrive in the country with a Scania South Africa, as part of their construction range, offers the local construction market two mixer models: the P310 6x4 (which carries a 6 m 3 drum) and the P410 8x4 (which carries an 8 m 3 drum). The 6 m 3 drum is fitted to a three axle vehicle and the 8 m 3 drum to a four axle vehicle. >

factory fitted PTO for the hydraulics. “The chassis rail is prepared for body brackets – both flexible and rigid joints – in the correct position which makes the bodybuilder’s task easier as it eliminates the ‘guessing factor’,” says Naude. There has to be electronic communica- tion between the chassis and the bodywork that is fitted. “The electronic functions, such as the body work communication interface (BCI control unit), are built in. This control collects information from the vehicle's other systems which enables it to evaluate if activation of different functions is permitted. The BCI control unit is connected to and communicates with the other systems in the vehicle via the vehicle's internal CAN (Control Area Network). Meeting quality and warranty standards Scania has agreements with various bodybuilders which stipulate the required standards needed for bodywork to optimise the product for a specific function. “This ensures that the body is fitted to the chassis in the right way. Once this is completed Scania does inspections: the Scania chassis has already been optimised, so the end product also needs to be optimised to enable the customer to carry the maximum payload,” explains Naude. Driver training is crucial “Apart from the engines that are already opti- mised for fuel consumption, we train drivers of these mixers in their own environments so that they fully understand the driveability of the vehicle while they are taught how to use the unique features. We do onsite training for drivers as every customer’s operating condi- tions vary. The driver receives a certification and is invited back annually for re-training,” says Naude. More than selling a product

Scania’s two models offer 310 and 410 hp respectively. The P310 generates 228 kW and the P410 302 kW.

diagnostic information from vehicles in the field and stores them in a database. This saves the engineer’s time by not having to visit every vehicle. “This system enables the customer to track his vehicle’s performance and for Scania to get pre-warnings so that we can inform the customer. We can then do preventa- tive repairs before it becomes a problem,” explains Naude. A total solution Naude says that the construction range has a three year, 450 000 km/5 000 hour warranty. Year one of the warranty covers the vehicle bumper to bumper and in year two and three only the powertrain is covered. Scania offers in-house finance and insurance which are tailored around the customer’s needs. “With the mixer applica- tion, batching plants are normally in close proximity to urban areas which ensures that we have a service centres close by,” says Naude about the maintenance and servicing of mixers. “If remote, we can either place a technician on the customer’s site or we can bring the mixer to our dealership to service it there.” Naude concludes: “We sell the total package. Driver training, insurance, financing, servicing, and the Scania C200. The latter enables the customer to track, repair and service the mixer and have a high uptime – which is crucial for mixers as you have a four hour window between loading and discharging the concrete.”

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As part of the total solution that Scania customers get, the operational performance of the mixer is closely moni- tored. “We have our 24/7/365 call centre where support is available immediately. We also structure unique repair and maintenance contracts for the customer,” says Naude. Part of this offering is the Scania C200. This diagnostic system is an indispensable tool. It fetches

CONSTRUCTION WORLD MARCH 2016