As stated in the earlier release, BELAZ has just launched, and entered for field testing, the 450 t capacity 75710 truck, which will be commercially available within two years. The model has an electromechanical transmission, with all design, development, casting, forging, welding and machining of truck body parts and rotation bodies conducted on site at the BELAZ plant in Zhodino, Belarus. Components are sourced from the leading global players including engines from MTU and Cummins, electric transmissions from GE and Siemens, distributors and pumps from Bosch and steering systems from Danfoss amongst others.
The massive new model is just one development in a wider program of investment: this year BELAZ has invested over $100 million in R&D and in 2014 this figure will increase to more than $150 million. The group said the investment is aimed at “increasing the company’s competitiveness in an ever more demanding industry sector, with the company now expanding into several strategic markets, including Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa, South America and North America.” This includes more participation in major industry event, and International Mining caught up with Sergei Gaevski, Marketing from the BELAZ Specialist Foreign Trade Department at AIMEX recently in Sydney.
The company states: “Recognising the need to produce consistently more efficient, effective and productive vehicles, Belaz has just launched its 75710, the world’s largest dump truck, with a 25% larger hauling capacity than the 360 t 75600 model. The larger capacity means a decrease in hauling cost per tonne.” The 75710 has two 16-cylinder, four-cycle MTU diesel engines to produce a maximum speed of 64 km/h. Fully laden, on a 10% gradient, the company says it can maintain a speed of 40km/h so loads are delivered more quickly and cost effectively. The truck is also very fuel efficient, using 198g/kWh per engine. When carrying less than capacity loads, it can run on just one engine, significantly reducing fuel consumption. The 75710 uses an AC electric drive Siemens MMT500 electromechanical transmission, with two traction alternators, four traction electric motors and motor-wheel reduction gears, auxiliary electric machines, adjustment and control devices.
It is fitted with eight wheels (with tyres identical to those on the 75600) and two turntable axles. This design allows a turning radius of just under 20 m. High strength, low-alloyed steel is used in the strong but lightweight welded structure of the frame, while the body has an FOPS safety system, and a protective canopy, and is heated by engine exhaust gas. It is also equipped with a device for mechanical locking in the raised position and it has rock ejectors. Taking into account the need to minimise downtime and the costs associated with operator training, BELAZ has designed the 75710 to function within the specifications of the 75600 so no additional training is required. A pneumatic, three axis virtual simulator featuring real time responses, an instructor monitoring station and an accurate cabin layout has been produced.
The 75710 cab has an ROPS safety system (in accordance with ISO4371) and an adjustable operator’s seat. Noise levels inside the cab are less than 80 dB (A) and the overall vibration level is less than 115 dB (A). To ensure that it will function effectively in all environmental conditions, the 75710 is now being field tested at the KRU Bachatski open pit coal mine in Siberia, previously visited by IM Editor Paul Moore, a mine recognised as having some of the harshest mining conditions in the world.