When conducting transport operations in conditions with a particularly difficult terrain, one of the main requirements for equipment is increased cross-country ability. Based on the engineering of large dump trucks and loaders, articulated haulers outperform rigid haul trucks in travel speed, maneuverability, flotation, and ease of loading and unloading in tough off-road conditions. Komatsu currently produces three models of articulated dump trucks with different payloads.
Key Features of Komatsu Articulated Dump Trucks:
The extensive use of casting parts and full-fill butt-welding technology makes Komatsu's articulated and mining truck frame technologies similar. The main feature of the articulated frame is the presence of an articulated joint, which makes it possible to dynamically change the position, incl. vertically, the front axle in relation to the rear, which significantly improves the machine's cross-country ability. Only Komatsu uses maintenance-free tapered roller bearings to support the resulting loads in the dump truck articulation;
The dump truck body is made of steel with high tensile strength at Brinell 400 hardness, which provides it with excellent rigidity and reduces maintenance costs. The low position of the body makes it easy to load the dump truck, and the shape of the rear of the body "duck beak" prevents soil from spilling, thereby increasing the efficiency of transportation;
powerful Komatsu engines are characterized by high fuel efficiency and provide a low level of toxicity;
fully hydraulic articulated steering, retarder, K-ATOMiCS automatic transmission, hydropneumatic suspension, inter-axle and inter-wheel differential locks increase maneuverability, maneuverability and facilitate the operator's work;
Hinged cab and hood designs, extended service intervals, fewer lubrication points, and maintenance-free wet disc brakes reduce machine downtime and reduce maintenance costs.
Carrying out certain types of work in the construction, mining industries, or in the crushed stone industry involves the use of various special equipment. And since work on construction or quarry sites takes place in rather difficult conditions, then special equipment must be used there, reliable and trouble-free, with increased cross-country ability and maneuverability.
Bringing to life the idea of creating such trouble-free equipment, in 1966 the Swedish company Volvo released the first articulated dump truck (although the concept of connecting a tractor-tractor with a semi-trailer appeared long before that). Currently, the production of such universal machines is carried out by several companies specializing, as a rule, in the production of construction and road-building equipment.
Scope of Articulated Dump Trucks
The most common use of articulated dump trucks is when transporting bulk cargo over difficult or rough terrain, as well as in areas with a harsh climate. However, soil movement is not the main function of this type of special equipment, since specially equipped trucks have proven themselves well in other work: when transporting containers, long lengths, shift houses and other equipment, in extreme conditions. This special equipment is also in special demand in the extraction of sand or other raw materials in quarries and mines, since its use is often more cost-effective than the use of conventional dump trucks, bulldozers or excavators.
The advantage of an articulated dump truck over a conventional dump truck is obvious, since an articulated vehicle has a better ratio of payload to vehicle weight, and this directly affects the life of the equipment and its maneuverability. The design features of this special equipment protect it from overloads, provide reliable grip on difficult sections of the road, and guarantee safe tipping of the body. Modern trucks provide optimal working conditions due to the air conditioning system, low noise level in the cab, good visibility and a rigid three-point front suspension.
Design and main characteristics of articulated dump trucks
Since the release of the first sample, the design of the articulated dump truck has not changed significantly: the frame is made of two sections connected by hinges. This articulation design allows the sections to move relative to each other, which reduces the load on the mechanism and ensures constant and reliable contact of the wheels with the road.
The carrying capacity of this equipment varies from 10 to 50 tons, but cars with a carrying capacity of up to 30 tons are in the greatest demand. Manufacturers offer three-axle (rarely two-axle) vehicles with 6x4 and 6x6 wheel arrangements. Articulated dump trucks can be trailers that go in conjunction with tractors, multi-axle tractors or earth trucks that go along with single-axle vehicles.
Bodies adapted for various types of unloading (tipping, dumping, unloading using a distribution dispenser) are installed on different models of dump trucks. The machines are arranged in approximately the same way: hydromechanical transmission, drive only to the front axle, oil-immersed brakes, processors, axle and center differential locks. Diesel engines (in-line and V-shaped) are installed on special equipment.
The cost of articulated dump trucks depends on the manufacturer, model, load capacity, configuration and many other nuances.
Reliable, low and wide body of Caterpillar dump trucks, three-point front suspension with long piston stroke of low pressure cylinders, excellent traction in all conditions, extremely simple dump truck design (ease of maintenance) - these are all features of Caterpillar machines.
Caterpillar Articulated Dump Trucks
Komatsu offers 3 models of articulated dump trucks manufactured at the Mooka plant (50 km from Tokyo) in Japan. Models HM300, HM350 and HM400 have an operating weight of 22.5, 28.55 and 30.3 tons, respectively. The trucks are equipped with a box-section frame and high-capacity bodies made of thick, wear-resistant steel with a Brinell hardness of 400. The design of Komatsu dump trucks uses a hydropneumatic suspension with a rigid frame. The front axle uses a De Dion type suspension, which provides smoother overcoming obstacles. The rear axles are mounted on a dynamic balancing structure equipped with a hydropneumatic suspension. The entire suspension system of the machines provides comfortable conditions for movement and maximizes cross-country ability.
In addition, the main features of Komatsu articulated dump trucks include - the presence of articulated steering (facilitates operation and increases maneuverability), wet multi-disc brakes and a hydraulically controlled deceleration device, the use of a maintenance-free hitch, reduction of points grease supply, extended filter change intervals and high operator safety.
Komatsu Articulated Dump Trucks
TEREX introduces the 7th generation of TA25, TA27, TA30, TA35 and TA40 trucks with payload capacity from 23 to 38 tons on the market of articulated dump trucks. The TA25, TA30 models are equipped with / turbocharged engines, the rest of the machines use Detroit Diesel Series 60 turbocharged, 6-cylinder, electrically controlled (Tier 3) engines. The design of TEREX dump trucks uses an automatic transmission, a welded body made of Hardox steel, and hydrostatic power steering. TEREX dump trucks are capable of speeds from 52 to 60 km/h, depending on the model.
TEREX Articulated Dump Trucks
Bell Equipment, one of Europe's leading machine builders, presents five models of articulated dump trucks. These are models produced at the plant in Eisenach (Germany) B25D, B30D, B35D, B40D, and B50D weighing 18.3, 19.5, 28.0, 29.97 and 36.09 tons, respectively. All BELL dump trucks are equipped with mechanical injection Mercedes Bens engines with electronic unit and transmission or Allison. The front suspension structure of BELL dump trucks consists of maintenance-free square rods mounted on rubber and transverse rods supported by oil/nitrogen struts. The rear structure is made up of load-balancing swivel balancers with lamellar rubber suspension blocks.
BELL Articulated Dump Trucks
Almost 2-fold in the period 2005-2007. The growth of the market for articulated dump trucks in Russia confirms that the interest of Russian consumers in this type of machine is growing. Experts predict a successful future for this class of technology. First of all, this confidence is reinforced by the growth in the extraction of mineral raw materials, the development of new deposits and the intensive construction of transport infrastructure facilities in the underdeveloped regions of the country. All this requires precisely those advantages that articulated dump trucks have.
Elena Antropova
June 2008
An articulated dump truck (Articulated Dump Truck), or as it is often called a land carrier, is a specialized type of dump trucks with high cross-country ability and maneuverability designed to transport goods in rough terrain and in difficult climatic conditions. Most often, it is used to transport large volumes of bulk cargo, for which, in general, it received the name - a land carrier. But this type of dump trucks has proven itself as a carrier of more complex goods, such as containers, long lengths, temporary huts and other equipment.
This type of dump truck is indispensable and cost-effective in the mining and construction industries. Namely, in the field development, construction and repair of roads, the construction of hydraulic facilities, the laying of pipelines and tunnels in harsh climates and off-road conditions, where the use of conventional dump trucks is not only not economically profitable, but also impossible. Separately, I would like to note the ability of articulated dump trucks to move and maneuver in a very limited space. An articulated dump truck may well be suitable for hauling soil behind a mining rig.
JCB 722 Articulated Dump Truck
Net power - 129 kW
Load capacity - 20,000 kg
Tipping angle - 74 degrees
Total weight - 35,700 kg
Engine model QSB - 6.7
Maximum speed - 46 km / h
Height - 3446 mm | Length - 9,199 mm | Width - 2652 mm
Technical features of articulated haulers
Articulated dump trucks can be divided according to the type of propulsion into wheeled and tracked.
Articulated dump trucks can be trailed or multi-axle tractors (dump trucks).
Articulated dump trucks with rear, side and bottom unloading are used for cargo transportation.
Despite the popularity of articulated dump trucks with a load capacity of up to 25 tons, manufacturers offer dump trucks with a load capacity of 10 to 45 tons. Most often these are three-axle dump trucks with wheel formulas 6x4 and 6x6.
The design features of the articulated dump truck protect it from overloads and guarantee reliable traction on the most dangerous sections of the road, ensuring a safe tipping of the body. This is how it proved to be a trouble-free and reliable special equipment in non-standard conditions.
Articulated dump trucks are used all over the world and are produced annually by such companies as Bell, Case, Doosan-Moxy, Terex, Komatsu, Caterpillar, Astra and even BelAZ. Brands such as Caterpillar and Komatsu offer models adapted to northern conditions.
If you decide to buy an articulated dump truck, you should know that the cost depends on the manufacturer, model, and load capacity. This is a rather expensive and specialized machine, but it economically justifies its use.
BELL B33L Bell Articulated Dump Truck “SHSS”
Articulated dump trucks are used in construction and quarry operations where increased cross-country ability and maneuverability are required. The technique is widely used in the mining industry in open pit mining in flooded quarries, on construction sites in conditions of low traffic, when dumping soil during stripping. Articulated dump trucks are also used in the oil industry for field development and pipeline construction.
Articulated dump trucks have a number of advantages compared to road dump trucks - they allow construction in low traffic conditions, they can overcome steep slopes, they have a small turning radius and high maneuverability, therefore they are able to work in a limited area, they are able to move on asphalt and in areas where there are no roads. .
Three-axle articulated dump trucks have six driving wheels. In addition, modern articulated dump trucks are equipped with a cross-axle differential switch.
Volvo is one of the leading manufacturers of this equipment. Currently, its product line includes 4 models of articulated dump trucks with payload capacities ranging from 19.4 tons to 30.6 tons.
Volvo articulated dump trucks are equipped with an FS system with hydraulic cylinders on each wheel. There is a full suspension system that protects the equipment from shocks and shocks when driving on uneven terrain. Articulated dump trucks are also equipped with a power transmission, two wheel formulas and five operating modes.
Caterpillar has been building articulated haulers since 1985. Now the equipment is represented by 4 models, two of them have their own modifications. So, articulated dump trucks of the Ejector modification are equipped with a system of so-called forced unloading - there is a movable wall in the body that pushes its contents, so it becomes possible to unload on the go, without tipping the body.
Komatsu produces several models of dump trucks that are equipped with a box-section frame and a large capacity body. Articulated dump trucks Komatsu have hydropneumatic suspension with a rigid frame. The front axle uses a De Dion type suspension, the rear axles are mounted on a dynamic balancing structure.
Also, Komatsu articulated dump trucks are characterized by articulated steering, wet multi-disc brakes and a hydraulically controlled deceleration device.
Terex articulated haul trucks are equipped with automatic transmission, hydrostatic power steering, steel body.
Bell Articulated Dump Trucks are available in five models. The front suspension design of this technique includes maintenance-free square rods that are mounted on rubber, and transverse rods supported by oil-filled struts. In addition, the company manufactures tracked articulated dump trucks. Articulated dump trucks manufactured by Hydrema have a body swivel mechanism, due to which the equipment is able to unload back and to any of the sides.
Articulated dump trucks are also produced by companies such as Astra, Case, JCB, Komatsu, Liebherr, Moxy, BelAZ, MoAZ, BALTIETS.
