DESIGNED and manufactured in Tasmania, the Elphinstone Haulmax 3900 extended distance haul truck range is the culmination of 20 years of experience and research into mine haulage applications.

Elphinstone developed the purpose-built range of trucks to fill the industry-acknowledged void between traditional mining dump trucks and conventional on-highway trucks.

Designed to operate on cycles of about 50km, the narrow width design of the 3900 allows it to work effectively on roads of 15 metres width.

Simply put, narrower roads cost considerably less to build construct and maintain, so the longer the distance, the larger the cost-saving.

The traffic had to be diverted as the huge Haulmax trucks were driven through the main streets and delivered to Surmac.

Emphasis on reducing the cost per tonne (CPT) has been at the forefront of the design and constant improvements.

The Haulmax design has been based around tyre performance indicies, maximising vehicle payloads over longer haulage distances.

As an authorised Caterpillar Original Equipment Manufacturer, Elphinstone worked closely with Caterpillar to ensure matched power train components optimise longevity, reliability and mechanical availability, resulting in improved productivity and reduced operating costs.

After-sales service and product support is made available through the worldwide Caterpillar dealer network.

Other value-add features include excellent traction and stability, operator comfort and safety, serviceability, sustainability and an assured increase in productivity.

These features and more contribute markedly to a reduction in CPT and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for the customer.

The spacious, ergonomically designed two-person ROPS / FOPS certified operators cabin offers a comfortable working space to minimise operator fatigue.

Traction and stability

The 3900 Series offers excellent traction and stability in soft and slippery operations.

The combination of the truck’s narrow width, long chassis and dual axle eight-wheel drive configuration provides safe and superior operator control.

Brake systems include hydraulically controlled dry front, and rear oil-cooled multiple disc brakes and engine retard system, all of which combine for superior fade-resistant performance in all mine site conditions.

Parking and secondary brakes are spring applied and hydraulically released.

This combination ensures braking in the event of complete hydraulic failure.

The 3900 chassis is a deep box-section construction incorporating castings in high-stress areas with full penetration wraparound welds designed for a minimum life of 60,000 hours.

By using castings in critical high stress areas, welded joints are moved to lower stress areas.

The first two of eight Haulmax 3900 long haul trucks are ready for dispatch from Elphinstone’s World Class manufacturing facility in Burnie, Tasmania.

Serviceability and maintenance

Easy access to daily service points from ground level increases safety and reduces time spent on regular maintenance procedures.

Retracting stairs provide safe access to the maintenance platform where engine, air filters, radiator, hydraulics and steering can be reached safely.

Engine shutdown and battery disconnect can also be accessed from one point at ground level, making machine lockout simple and safe.

On-board diagnostic systems enable fast diagnosis of engine conditions and effective maintenance and repairs.

An optional fluid evacuation system and automatic lubrication system reduces labour time by up to 50pc.

The lubrication system automatically delivers lubricant to clustered injector banks which distribute the correct amount of grease to service points.

Operator comfort and safety

The independent front suspension and ‘A’ frame rear axle assemblies provide unrivalled levels of stability, safety and comfort.

The spacious, ergonomically designed two-person ROPS/FOPS certified operators cabin offers a comfortable working space with fully adjustable lumbar support and air suspension seats for both the operator, trainer or trainee.

All controls, levers, switches and gauges are positioned ergonomically to maximise productivity and minimise operator fatigue.

Retracting stairs provide safe access to the maintenance platform where engine, air filters, radiator, hydraulics and steering can be reached safely.

Customer characteristics

Typical Haulmax 3900 customers are those operators with haulage requirements which are outside the range of traditional haul trucks; require sustained downhill braking; are governed by haul road width restrictions; or require superior gradeability, traction or special trailer configurations.

Elphinstone’s focus has always been to deliver customers a total haulage solution based on their specific haul requirements.

Thus the 3900 can be optioned with different truck bodies to account for a variety of material applications.

The recent sale of eight Haulmax 3900 long haul dump trucks in Suriname, South America, exemplifies the fit-for-purpose characteristics of the 3900 range.

Prior to 2016, Surmac, an authorised dealer of Elphinstone machines in Suriname, identified a need for an extended distance haul solution at a local mine site.

Due to lessening gold provisions close to the site, ore would have to be hauled 35km or more, beyond the application of a normal mining dump truck.

In January 2019, Elphinstone signed a dealer agreement with Surmac in Australia and Elphinstone shipped the Haulmax 3900 trucks soon after and these are now operating for the first time in Suriname.

Elphinstone has now sold more than 100 Haulmax 3900 trucks for dump truck, water tank, service module and low loader applications worldwide.

Easy access to daily service points from ground level increases safety and reduces time spent on regular maintenance procedures.

CASE STUDY

Surmac Cat Haulmax 3900 Purchase

 

Dealer:             Surmac

Location:         Suriname, South America

Product:          8 x Haulmax 3900 extended haul dump trucks

 

Objective:

Purchase a fleet of eight Haulmax 3900 trucks for the haulage of ore from the satellite deposit to the existing site some 35km away.

 

Background:

Elphinstone first learned of the haul issue facing Surmac’s client in September 2012 at Minexpo in Las Vegas.

Surmac commenced discussions with Elphinstone as they were aware that once the gold provisions ran low near the mine site, the ore would have to be sourced from further away and transported.

The existing fleet of Caterpillar dump trucks was not designed to cover long distances, so the obvious solution was the well-renowned Elphinstone Haulmax 3900 extended haul truck.

On January 15 this year, Surmac dealer principal Leo Vreeburg signed the dealership agreement with Elphinstone in Australia.

From that moment, Surmac became the official dealer of Elphinstone products in Suriname.

In the second quarter of 2019, Elphinstone trucks were delivered and started operating in Suriname for the first time in the country’s mining history.

Mining division manager Freek Bilkerdijk said that discussions were already underway to start mining at the pit before 2016.

“The seeds of the Elphinstone story were laid then,” Mr Bilkerdijk said.

“Transporting the ore would have been a major challenge but the Haulmax 3900 was built to do the work.”

The tray of the Haulmax 3900 is designed to empty the entire load on delivery.

More Information:

03 6442 7797

www.elphinstone.com

 

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