8 TradeEarthmovers.com.au
PRODUCT NEWS
R
ed 5 Limited is using a fleet of Volvo
Construction Equipment (Volvo CE)
articulated haulers at its underground gold mine
in Western Australia. The haulers have helped the
company to increase productivity while reducing
fuelconsumption and maintenance costs, says
Volvo CE.
The three haulers have been working at the
Darlot Gold Mine in Eastern Goldfields, 900km
northeast of Perth, for the past year, putting in
over16,500 fleet hours.
Since Red 5 Limited’s acquisition, the company
hassuccessfully ramped up gold production toAnAustraliangold
minehasbeenusing
VolvoCEA45G
haulerstoincrease
productivity
more than 100,000 ounces of gold per annum
with the help of its high-performing fleet of Volvo
CE machines.
“These trucks have been a game changer for
our operations,” says Geoff Hart, maintenance
superintendent at Darlot Gold Mine.
Hart says switching to the Volvo A45G
articulated haulers has dramatically reduced
maintenance costs and hugely improved mean
time to repair. With an anticipated tyre life of
around 4,500 hours, tyre costs are expected to
be well below the previous fleet.
“Volvo’s A45Gs tick all of the boxes – reduced
capital cost, reduced maintenance cost,
increased productivity, and the drivers love
them!” Hart says.
With a rated load capacity of 41,000kg,
the 41-ton rated A45G hauler is designed for
higher productivity while reducing overall
fuel consumption.
Technology on the machines include the
optional on-board weighing system, which
boosts fuel efficiency and reduces machine
wear by guaranteeing an optimal load every
cycle, says Volvo CE. With the on-board weighing
system, average payloads are sitting at around
97.5 per cent.gold load
Above: The Volvo A45G
articulated haulers will soon
be joined by a new L260H
wheel loader
JohnDeere850L
dozer pushes
productivity to
the next level
T
he newJohnDeere850Ldozerboasts
what it says are customer-inspired updates,
including a larger displacement engine, increased
operating weight, new operator station, and
several improvements to maximize reliability
and durability.
The 850L incorporates an EPA Final Tier 4 John
Deere PSS 9.0L diesel engine that provides a
10 per cent increase in horsepower. At 168kW
(225hp), the 850L has more horsepower than any
dozer in its size class, says John Deere. Equipped
with the Eco mode feature, fuel consumption
is reduced by up to 20 per cent. Auto-idle and
idle shutdown are also standard, which furtherminimize fuel costs. Like all John Deere dozers,
the 850L features a dual-path hydrostatic
transmission, now with 13 per cent larger pumps
than the K-Series.
The new dozer is available with the widest
Power Angle Tilt (PAT) blade in its class. At 4.3m,
the new blade increases productivity, especially
in grading applications. All 850L configurations
now utilize an eight-roller design with 3.3m of
track on ground, increasing productivity, stability
and gradeability, says Deere.
The dozer also comes standard with grade
control-ready electrohydraulic valves – making it
easy to add a grade control system.
The cab has 15 per cent more space and interior
operator noise has been reduced by 27 per cent
when compared to the K-Series model. There
are also all-new, ergonomic control joysticks for
the transmission and hydraulic functions. The
mainframe has increased thickness, by as much
as 60 per cent in some areas, to combat the
rigors of the jobsite. The dozer’s cooling package
was also upgraded with larger fin spacing and
a simplified design, allowing full access to both
sides of the cooler. The 850L is also equipped
with a tilt cab that can be raised up to 65
degrees.Above: John Deere’s 850L
dozer has more horsepower
than any dozer in its size
class, says Deere
customer-led design