Allison Transmission, a leading designer and manufacturer of conventional and electrified vehicle propulsion solutions and the largest global manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions for commercial and defence vehicles, says that long-term partner LiuGong (Changzhou) Mining Machinery Co Ltd has shipped 17 units of new DW90A wide body mining dump (WBMD) trucks equipped with Allison 4800 Off Road Series™ (ORS) fully automatic transmissions to a coal mining operation in Colombia. LiuGong (Changzhou) Mining Machinery Co Ltd is a subsidiary of Guangxi LiuGong Heavy Machinery Co Ltd, ranked as a top 50 global construction machinery enterprise.
Allison Off Road Series™ says its transmissions are highly regarded in the mining industry worldwide for their unrivalled performance, quality, durability and reliability. “We have been working with Allison Transmission for more than a decade in different product lines,” said Zhou Changqi, the head of the R&D Centre at LiuGong. “Our WBMD trucks equipped with Allison fully automatic transmissions are well received at home and abroad as they can face severe duty-cycles and any harsh environment without compromising productivity and efficiency.”
Colombia is the largest coal producer in South America. Its rich coal deposits lie in very rough terrains and the coal extraction process requires extremely powerful and reliable heavy-duty trucks for hauling and loading. Designed to carry a maximum payload of 60 t with body capacity rated at 32 cubic metres, the new mining truck is powered by a 382 kW Yuchai diesel engine (YC6K13.520) and an Allison 4800 ORS fully automatic transmission with output rated at 2400 Nm of torque. “Using a torque converter to smoothly multiply engine torque, Allison transmissions deliver more power to the wheels. By multiplying the engine power, drivers get faster acceleration, increased performance and greater operational flexibility. While a manual or automated manual transmission (AMT) loses power with every shift, an Allison uses their Continuous Power Technology™ which smoothly shifts between gears without power interruption.”
The mining trucks exported to Colombia will carry heavy loads on gravel or muddy roads with steep grades. With two shifts a day, the total operation time will be around 20 hours per day. “Allison Automatics are very easy to operate and can significantly reduce stress for the drivers,” said Zhou. “The other main reasons that attract our customers to Allison transmissions are their high reliability and low maintenance costs. Allison’s deep understanding of the global market and their emphasis on high quality products are in line with our company’s development strategies.”
Allison Transmission’s 4000 Series™ is designed to ensure heavy-duty vehicles operate smoothly and efficiently. Equipped with an engine-driven Power Take-Off (PTO) and a hydraulic retarder for enhanced braking, the Allison 4800 ORS transmission ensures optimum drivability for off-road heavy duty-cycle operations. “With the integral retarder to help the vehicle to slow down with less wear on the braking system, the driver will experience greater control, manoeuvreability and optimised driving performance particularly when the fully loaded truck is going down grades.
“Not only do the mining trucks have to be able to haul massive loads, they have to withstand heavy start-stop duty-cycles and day-after-day use without breaking down. This kind of severe duty takes a toll on weaker transmissions. Instead of a starting clutch that is prone to wear, our transmissions using patented torque converter technology and require only periodic fluid and filter changes to maintain peak performance, with more time on the road and lower repair costs.”
