Komatsu Australia has announced the release of the 980E-4 electric-drive haul truck, with a payload capacity of 362 t. Power for the 980E-4 comes from a Komatsu SSDA18V170 Tier 2 engine, rated at 2,611 kW which in combination with GE Mining’s dual IGBT electric drive system provides a top speed of 64 km/h. According to Scott Harrington, Komatsu Australia’s National Product Manager, Mining, this engine provides one of the lowest brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) in this truck class.
Applications for this truck include iron ore, coal and other resources requiring bulk material movement when matched to large loading tools, to deliver the lowest possible cost-per-tonne. As with other trucks in Komatsu’s ultra class electric drive haul trucks range, the 980E-4 was designed and developed by Komatsu America Corp manufactured at its Peoria operation in Illinois for customers around the world. “Komatsu was the first to introduce AC drive systems for ultra-class mining trucks in 1996, and has ever since continued to demonstrate to our customers in Australia and globally the incomparable performance and reliability that Komatsu trucks provide,” Harrington said. “The 980E-4 is based on the proven high quality Komatsu design that will deliver exceptional productivity and outstanding availability over the whole life of the asset, to provide our customers with the lowest cost per tonnage haulage option.”
“In addition to the its fuel-efficient engine and Invertex II AC control group, the 980E-4 features multiple disc oil cooled (wet disc) brake design, Payload Meter 4 and frame castings in high stress areas continuing Komatsu’s unsurpassed life and structural integrity of the main chassis,” he said.
A number of components will remain common to Komatsu’s successful and well proven 960E-2 truck being the; engine, radiator, alternator, retarder and cab. However, certain major components have been designed specifically for the new 980E-4, engineered for the 362 t rated payload. Major component changes include larger wheel motors, GDY108C based on the proven GDY108B design. The new wheel motor is longer to accommodate the 44 in rims and includes a number of gearing and bearing design changes.
Komatsu says it has always maintained a simple and reliable hydraulic system and the 980E-4 continues that design philosophy. Hoist cylinders, steering cylinders and suspension cylinders have all increased in capacity. This will enable Komatsu to maintain a known rated hydraulic system pressure and Komatsu component design life targets. “Whilst increasing the size of equipment through economies of scale can provide reductions in cost per tonne, this can only be realised by our customers if our equipment continues to provide excellent availability, enabling high equipment utilisation. Komatsu ultra class mining trucks continue to provide industry leading availability performance. This outstanding reliability allows our customers to maximise and maintain productivity targets through efficient use of loading tools, consistent planning of maintenance activities and efficient use of labour personnel.”
An interesting metric a number of customers are now monitoring is the labour hour to machine operating hour ratio. “The reliability features and maintenance friendly design of Komatsu electric drive trucks is providing our customers with lower labour hour to machine operating hour ratios than many of our competitors. The 980E-4 incorporates this maintenance friendly criteria including removable power module design, simple hydraulic design with one common tank, removable pump sub frame, oil cooled multiple disc brakes providing reduced brake wear and maintenance requirements compared to dry disc brakes, less lubricants than similar class trucks and advanced machine diagnostics including the Komtrax Plus satellite communication system.”
The 980E-4 can also be fully integrated with management systems such as Modular Mining’s Dispatch and MineCare products. In addition, the new truck’s cab brings the same comfort features and operator controls used in Komatsu’s Ultra-Class trucks, including air-ride seats, easy-to-use instrument panel with automatic retard speed control and fully adjustable climate controls. The new 980E-4 truck measures 8 m high and weigh in at over 625 t when loaded. Brief specs of the 980E-4 are: payload, 363 t (400 short tons); body capacity by design; engine, Komatsu SSDA18V170 (Cummins QSK78) rated at 2,611 kW; maximum loaded speed, 64 km/h; braking system, 4,476 kW electric dynamic retarder plus wet disc brakes front and rear; tyre size, 59/80R63 (standard).
The first commercial fleet of the new 980E-4 has now begun delivery at an overseas mining operation with an initial fleet size of 30 plus units to be delivered this year. Komatsu says it is also working closely with a number of Australian customers for the introduction of this new model in the near future.
