Modern Mining October 2016

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MODERN MINING

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October 2016

feature

TRUCKS IN MINING

Cat 794 AC mining truck on display at MINExpo 2016

aterpillar’s newest large min-

ing truck, the Cat

794 AC,

made its mining show debut

at MINExpo 2016 held recently in

Las Vegas. The 291-tonne (320-ton)

capacity truck uses a combination

of proven designs – a chassis design

that has accumulated about 18 mil-

lion operating hours and power train

design that has racked up three mil-

lion hours.

Following extensive field testing,

controlled rollout of the new truck

started last year. To date, the 794 AC

is operating in four countries – work-

ing in applications ranging from deep

pit copper in the western USA to coal

and copper in South America.

Mechanical availability of the

794 AC has averaged 90 % or better

from the introduction and has contin-

ued to improve with every new site

introduction, says Caterpillar. The

drive system is designed to power the

larger Cat

795F AC, which has dem-

onstrated drive train component life

of more than 30 000 hours.

The new truck features four-corner

wet disc brakes as well as dynamic

braking for stable handling and fast

stopping. The 794 AC has industry

leading retarding capability in its size

class with 4 086 kW (5 480 hp) of con-

tinuous retarding.

The 794 AC is designed and built

to minimise total costs. The unit is a

true 291-tonne truck, as it accommo-

dates additional weight allowances

for options and body liners – so the

truck can be fitted for superior dura-

bility without significant negative

effects on production.

The 794 AC uses the Cat C175-16

engine and a proven Cat AC power

train. System power is adaptable to

accommodate changes in production

targets and to work seamlessly in

mixed fleets where truck speed dif-

ferences can reduce productivity.

Three power options – 2 050, 2 312

and 2 610 kW – are available using

the same engine. High altitude con-

figurations are also available.

The Cat High Efficiency (HE) body

is sized and configured to meet the

specific needs of the mine, dictated

by fragmentation, abrasion, cohesion

and the loading tool.

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ust, dirt, loose sand and corrugated

roads are all in a day’s work for the

fleet of FAW 28.280FD 6x4 tippers op-

erating on the andalusite operation of Imerys

Refractories at the Rhino mine site near Tha-

bazimbi in Limpopo Province.

Fleet operator and contractor on the proj-

ect, Willie de Beer and his son Michael, run

the fleet with their staff of 24 people deployed

as drivers, loader operators, technicians and

administrative support.

Willie de Beer purchased the 10 m

tippers

early last year and reports that the trucks are

moving a massive quota of about 4 200 tons

of sand, grit and loose stone mixture a day –

which translates to roughly between 108 000

Tippers

handle tough conditions at andalusite operation

A FAW 28.280FD 6x4 tipper

operating at the Rhino

mine site.

and 110 000 tons a month.

Mining and moving andalusite, which is an

extremely hard nesosilicate mineral, is highly

abrasive on any equipment involved. This pres-

ents all the vehicles and heavy equipment with

one of the toughest environments to work in.

What made Willie de Beer decide to buy the

FAW 28.280FD was the brand’s reputation for

strength and durability. “These tippers have

exceptionally good torque – 1 160 N.m between

1 400 and 1 700 rpm,” he says. “They also have

a strong chassis, great steel tipper bins and

offer a solid payload at 28 t GVM. The Weichai

WDB615.50 engine has proven its capabilities

over and over. We are very happy with the com-

bination of this engine and the manual 9-speed

FAW gearbox giving us a grade ability of 36 %.

We are able to move quickly and efficiently

with these tippers across the hills and valleys

of this terrain.”

Since changing to FAW tippers, de Beer

reports a 22 % drop in fuel consumption.

“We enjoy the support of the FAW Pretoria

West dealer and Pieter Gerber, the dealer prin-

cipal, in particular, when it comes to keeping

the tippers moving. The dealer is responsible

for servicing our vehicles on site, the supply of

parts and the training of our drivers – invalu-

able service and support when we have these

types of site challenges to deal with,” says

de Beer.

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Caterpillar’s newest large mining truck, the

Cat® 794 AC.