Hitachi Construction Machinery has implemented a full-model change of the EH4000AC-3 rigid dump truck to develop the EH4000AC-5 (nominal payload of 242 t, gross machine operating weight of 427 t), and is ready to present this at MINExpo 2024, in Las Vegas, next week.
By applying metal fabrication technologies accumulated through the manufacturing of hydraulic excavators, the company increased the durability and achieved the industry’s highest payload of 242 t. After completing field tests at mining sites, the company aims to start sales of the new rigid dump truck in 2025.
The new model increases the payload by 21t compared to EH4000AC-3 and helps to increase the productivity of customer mining operations, according to the company.
The EH4000AC-5 evolved the Hitachi AC drive system cultivated through the current EH AC-3 series models and strengthened the brakes, suspension and other aspects of the undercarriage to achieve smooth, stable driving and superior deceleration performance even under the industry’s highest payload of 242 t, HCM says. In addition, it provides a comfortable operator space and operating environment which enables the operator to achieve the desired level of manoeuvring performance. Furthermore, the change to a fully-electric specification equipped with batteries and trolley dynamic charging systems that receive power from overhead lines installed at mines is also compatible with the EH4000AC-5, similar to the current EH-AC3 series models.
The maximum speed is, according to HCM, an industry-leading 65 km/h. At the same time, it provides high productivity to customers with improved traction performance. In addition, it is equipped with a new feature that allows operators to select from three different driving modes (High Power Mode, Power Mode and Eco Mode) according to the site environment. Operators can select Eco Mode when they wish to reduce fuel consumption or High Power Mode to maximise driving performance for efficient operation. In terms of the deceleration performance, the brake performance was enhanced by changing the hydraulic brakes from front dry brakes to wet brakes and enhancing the performance of the retarder auxiliary brakes. As a result, they demonstrate stable braking force even in harsh mining environments.
The switches and monitors in a cab were completely redesigned to improve operability and comfort. Information regarding the safety conditions around the machinery, loading conditions, etc is displayed on the monitors to support safe and efficient operation by customers.
The EH4000AC-5 is compatible with the Consite Mine service solution which remotely monitors the status of mining machinery. Consite Mine issues two types of reports consisting of “Scheduled Reports” that inform customers of the machines’ operational status via email and a smartphone app and “Alarm Reports” that are issued whenever various sensors detect abnormalities in the machinery. Detecting abnormalities in the dump truck and performing maintenance, inspection and parts replacement according to the machinery’s condition reduces downtime.
The company concluded: “Hitachi Construction Machinery’s strength lies in the fact that we possess a diverse range of touch points at mining sites, and we are utilising the resources of our group companies to expand our business areas to include not only the mining process where mining machinery is used but to mineral processing as well. Going forward, we will continue to provide innovative solutions to mining sites across a diverse range of touch points.”