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operations hauling November/December 2004 Articulated
Trucks Boost Production by Bill Elverman |
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Located an hour southeast of Dallas on State Highway 34 in Scurry, Texas, Pappy’s Sand and Gravel moved to articulated trucks to increase production. Hauling overburden On site, the first hints of a large sand and gravel operation are excavators working to load articulated trucks with overburden. At this site, excavators outfitted with 5- to 5.5-cubic yard buckets remove roughly 15 feet worth of overburden to reach the aggregate deposit. The aggregate deposit runs 10-feet deep and, once processed, allows John Reeder, owner of the operation, to offer his clients high-quality products such as mortar sand, concrete sand, pea gravel, and washed rock. The aggregate is removed from the site by dragline and loaded into 18-wheel rigid haulers that take the material to the plant for processing via well-maintained haul roads. Hauling needs The removal and placement of overburden does not always allow for the best hauling conditions. For this reason, Reeder has made a considerable investment in a fleet of articulated trucks. Gilbert Oaks, who supervises the articulated truck fleet for operation, sees the benefit of articulated trucks as being a combination of versatility and quality. “The articulated trucks are easier to negotiate on all different types of terrain and in different weather conditions. They also remove a larger amount of material in comparison to an ordinary dump truck,” Oaks says. The articulated trucks work nine hours per day, six days per week, hauling overburden. This process is the front line of Reeder’s operation. If the trucks aren’t running and gravel isn’t being exposed and excavated, then product isn’t being produced. Previously operating smaller 36-ton trucks, Reeder ran into warranty issues and decided to upgrade to larger models. Continental Equipment provided a Komatsu demo unit, one of its first 40-ton articulated trucks, to Reeder’s pit before his initial articulated truck purchase. The trial eventually led to the purchase of the trucks. “They have worked well with me,” says Reeder. “The service aspect of Continental, and the people, has always been very good and that makes a lot of difference. They have responded promptly as problems developed.” Why this choice? Articulated trucks have established themselves as a good alternative to scrapers and rigid haulers in overburden removal when teamed with a tracked excavator. Both scrapers and rigid haulers struggle while operating in excessively wet and sloppy conditions, slowing production, according to Reeder. “The very front end of your operation has to run efficiently for the other portions to run effectively,” Reeder says. “Tandem haulers are not nearly as efficient [as articulated trucks]. The tandems were too light and were slowing my production. We ended up pulling our main haul trucks that were used for hauling to the plant and using them in the pit for overburden removal. We were sacrificing production there. We would start out running six trucks in the morning and not even have one by the end of the day.” “With the articulated trucks, you start out with five and you end up with five,” says Reeder. “The operators are more comfortable in the Komatsu. The simplicity of the electronics and controls has allowed us to maintain more efficient fuel control. Also, the articulated haulers do less damage to the haul road.” Reeder also points out that today’s suspension systems, like the hydro-pneumatic system in the HM400-1, provide the operator with a smooth ride, while improving reliability by bearing the brunt of the abuse given by off-road hauling. Additional features such as viscous cab damper mounts and fully hydraulic articulated steering make operation comfortable and easy on the operator, Reeder says. Maintenance a key “We’re proficient in maintenance,” Reeder says. “My service department provides service to all five of the HM400-1 articulated trucks.” This fact aids in his goal of extending the life of the equipment. Komatsu has provided service points that are easily accessible with a tilted cab, accessible fluid locations, lubrication points, and drive shaft accessibility. Standard service intervals are extended, and strategically designed guards help protect critical machinery such as the engine and transmission. Another area Reeder focuses on is safety. Awards on his office wall from the Department of Labor and the Mine Safety and Health Administration back up his claims. “We felt the HM400-1 was a safe truck,” Reeder says. “The visibility is great with the sloping hood, and you can see better when you are backing up to unload the material.” The HM400-1 features a lockout device that prevents the operator from backing up with the body up, which increases the safety of the operator. Wide cabs and a comfortable ride also contribute to operator safety. Bill Elverman represents the Brady Marketing Group. |
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Reprinted from Aggregates Manager Magazine |
