SCANIA’S new 650hp and 730hp prime movers add a new dimension to off-road bulk haulage.
The New Generation fleet is the product of more than 10m km of testing and development with an increased focus on customer profitability.
The R 650 is, in the words of general manager, Robert Taylor, “a pretty cool bit of kit”.
Being able to haul a gross combination of up to 360t requires some heavy-duty hardware.
Scania began the R 650’s development process by trialling the truck with different loads including gold, coal and iron ore, and assessing the capabilities of the truck at various tonnages, with different driveline combinations.
After a two-year trial, the optimal combination of gear ratios, axles, hubs and engine specs was selected for the base cab/chassis model.
Clean power
Those two years of real-world trials on mine sites situated in Australia’s harshest locations has led to the development of a cab/chassis combination that ticks all the boxes when it comes to a built-for-purpose haul truck wish list.
First up is that incredible powerplant, the heartbeat and literal driving force that delivers such enormous pulling power.
With 16l of turbocharged diesel displacement, the Scania DC16 V8 develops a stump-pulling 3700Nm or torque and is available in 650hp (485kW) or 730hp (544kW) configurations.
So far, the 650hp variant is taking care of 200t nett loads on mine sites with aplomb.
Despite the fact that this superbly developed engine produces huge power, it is also fully Euro 6 compliant and actually uses 3pc less fuel as a result of this refined state of tune.
The Euro 6 standard is the most stringent ever imposed and reduces the acceptable limit for Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) from .18g/km to only .08g/km.
“Scania has been using the Euro 6 standard in its retail fleet for some time in response to customer needs”, Mr Taylor said.
“The lower emissions are important for customers when bidding for tenders, as environmental considerations are always relevant.
“Many companies, including Coles and Woolworths, specify these requirements for all their contractors.”
Heavy duty driveline
To cope with the increased engine power and the resultant load pulling power, Scania utilised its new GRS0935R gearbox design, which is 40pc stronger than the gearbox used in previous models.
The gearbox features an optional overdrive to maximise the huge torque on hand and therefore further enhance fuel economy.
Larger hubs have also been introduced, with higher load rated axles and a 6.43 final drive ratio.
Once again, the aim was to provide a complete driveline capable of withstanding constant driving under enormous load and in extremely hot and dusty conditions.
Australian mining truly is the acid test for hard working transport equipment.
These new RBP900 drive hubs give each rear axle a load rating of 21,000kg for a total rear bogie weight of 42t.
Up front, the axle has a 12,000kg load rating.
Designed primarily as an off-road vehicle, the R 650 has already been put to work in mining operations around the country, including hauling bauxite 140km north of Weipa, in Qld – a location which is only accessible by boat or helicopter, which makes reliability a highly critical factor.
Despite 200t payloads, the prime mover operates comfortably at up to 80kmh on the haul road, though speed restrictions see it sitting at 60kmh during normal service.
Pre-sales and after-sales client service
The R 650-Series trucks are highly developed prime movers, designed specifically for mine haulage but there are many options and variables that can be incorporated to deliver a truck that is absolutely tailor-made for a particular client and working environment.
It begins with a visit to site by qualified Scania technical personnel, who assess the job at an holistic level.
Factors such as road gradients, corner radii, road surface conditions and load requirements are all part of the data collected before a document is signed or a spanner turned.
From there, Scania’s engineers will fine tune the R 650 cab/chassis to produce a truck that suits that client’s exact requirements to provide years of reliable service: a built-for-purpose solution.
Scania has recently established new vehicle preparation shops in Perth and Brisbane and has offices in every state capital in Australia, except Tasmania.
Local suppliers will work with Scania to modify the truck to the customer’s specifications.
Each client receives individual attention at each step of the process, with their own assigned agent liaising with them and keeping them abreast of progress on a weekly basis.
The client is kept constantly in the loop, providing them with peace of mind that the build process is being conducted in a timely manner.
Thanks to the wonders of modern telemetry and data transmission, every truck Scania build can be monitored at any time, anywhere in the country.
This allows Scania’s technical staff to work in conjunction with the truck’s operators to spot any issues and correct them in the least amount of time possible.
Preventative maintenance
Scheduled servicing is one facet of the after-sales service, highlighting the need for oil, brake, hydraulic and other system maintenance that is required for a particular vehicle under its particular operating conditions.
Scania takes this a step further by also incorporating a preventative maintenance schedule into its ongoing relationship with each client.
This allows the truck’s operator to schedule downtime for the replacement of known wear parts prior to failure.
Consequently, parts and labour can be on hand before the truck is pulled from service and other trucks can be re-scheduled to cover the shifts of the truck being maintained.
Ultimately, this leads to the best possible uptime for the truck and greater profitability for the truck owner or mine operator.
Driver training is another feature of Scania’s after-sales service.
This often overlooked aspect of bulk haulage is a very worthwhile investment as properly trained drivers are able to maximise the performance of the vehicle without placing undue loads on the engine, driveline or brakes.
Again, this translates directly into lower operating costs and greater productivity over the life of the truck.
“We also have an after-sales rep that works with me and will touch base with the clients on a regular basis,” Mr Taylor said.
“It doesn’t matter where you are, if you need us, we will come to site and assist.
“Keeping the customers on the road and making sure the truck is performing at its optimal level will always be the prime objective.”
Driver safety
Scania developed the new R 650-Series of trucks with drivers at the core of the design.
Innovative features include an ergonomically designed cab that ensures driver comfort.
The seat position ensures that the driver can sit straight at all times, putting less strain on musculature.
This is known as the optimal driver position.
The interior also introduced a larger display screen with better graphics and easy to access controls to allow full attention on the road and high visibility.
The steering wheel incorporates push button controls and touch screen media.
There are also advanced safety features including top-rated steering wheel and side curtain air bags.
Keeping the driver comfortable helps productivity, reduces down time for haulage and helps meet health and safety requirements.
More information: Scania Australia Phone: (08) 9360 8536 Email: [email protected] Website: www.scania.com.au