iVT travels to Sweden for the launch of Volvo’s new articulated hauler vary, which delivers improved energy, productiveness and security options throughout six up to date fashions and one brand-new addition. Following our go to, two battery electrical variations had been unveiled at Bauma in Munich
In 1966, the world’s first articulated hauler, referred to as Gravel Charlie, was manufactured in Volvo CE’s manufacturing, R&D and check facility in Braås, Sweden. Now, nearly 60 years later, the corporate has unveiled its largest articulated hauler launch so far. Perfect for purposes in quarrying, development and mining industries, the lineup is comprised of six upgraded fashions – the A25, A30, A35, A40, A45 and A60 – in addition to the brand-new 45-tonne A50. “The vary is split into three households,” explains Niclas Lind, technical product supervisor at Volvo CE’s manufacturing facility for articulated haulers. “We now have the small household, the A25 and A30, after which we have now the big household, the A35, A40 and A45 machines. On the high we have now the A50 and A60 machines. We now have designed the machines for a variety of purposes. As you go up the scale lessons, the larger machines are good for mild mining, for instance, whereas the smaller machines are extra suited to development purposes.”
Energy and productiveness
Delivering 336kW to 385kW and a payload of 34,500kg to 45,000kg, Volvo’s articulated haulers keep a constant power-to-payload ratio throughout completely different fashions, guaranteeing balanced efficiency no matter measurement. “Throughout all fashions, we have now put in three diesel engine households which have been developed and manufactured in-house at Volvo,” says Lind. “We now have the D11J for the smaller A25 and A30 fashions, D13J and D16J for the bigger A35, A40, A45 and A60 fashions, and the D16J particularly for the heavy-duty A60.”
The brand new technology haulers share a number of key options designed to maximise productiveness and effectivity. The Volvo drivetrain with Terrain Reminiscence is a system that identifies and remembers slippery street segments to make sure optimised traction management. The clever perform helps to take care of off-road mobility, delivering optimum gasoline effectivity with out compromising on energy. “The principle purpose is to make it useful for the client in order that productiveness and gasoline effectivity can be higher,” says Lind.
Security is vital
To enhance traction, when activated, automated drive mixtures with 100% differential locks guarantee energy is distributed equally to all wheels. This prevents particular person wheels from spinning freely after they lose traction, supreme for muddy, slippery or uneven floor situations. For added stability, the all-terrain bogie system, that includes Volvo’s specialised suspension design, permits the rear axles to pivot independently, sustaining floor contact even over uneven surfaces or ditches. Because of this, the machine has improved traction and cargo distribution which is important when carrying heavy payloads throughout development websites or quarries.
The Volvo Dynamic Drive system options predictive gear choice that adapts to working situations like load weight or floor slope. For additional operator management, the downhill velocity management maintains a preset velocity when travelling downhill, even with heavy masses, eliminating the necessity for fixed brake utility and decreasing brake put on.
Superior in-cab options
Contained in the cab, all important data is conveniently displayed on simply two screens. The interactive Volvo Co-Pilot show permits the operator to regulate all machine operations. “Volvo Co-Pilot is built-in within the machine,” says Lind. “In a single display screen you could possibly see the doorway of the machine within the higher left nook, for instance, and within the right-hand nook you could possibly see behind the machine. Utilizing the show, the operator can simply navigate machine settings, local weather management, radio, cameras, in addition to view the machine’s standing. With Volvo’s Co- Pilot’s map perform, the operator may also see different machines that it’s linked to on the identical website and the place they’re positioned on the map. One other essential perform is that the system has the power to calculate how a lot the machine will transfer – or how a lot dust it’ll transfer –day-after-day. Lastly, we have now the haul help system with on-board weighing offering real-time payload data.”
Visibility enhancements come from redesigned cab panels and wider wiper protection in addition to a decrease entrance hood. Optionally available entrance and rear cameras and a typical entrance digital camera managed by way of Volvo Co-Pilot additional enhances visibility. Security can be enhanced by a repositioned door entrance, railings on either side of the machine and lighting on the steps and platform.
Operator consolation is elevated additional with adjustable seats, Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, storage options, an ergonomic gear lever and a noise-reducing cab design.
Articulated haulers for the longer term
The evolution of Volvo’s articulated haulers demonstrates the OEM’s continued concentrate on addressing terrain challenges first recognized within the Nineteen Sixties. The brand new lineup maintains the core articulated design precept whereas incorporating technological developments to boost operations.
“Our haulers have at all times given our clients an distinctive off-road efficiency, excellent operator consolation and most uptime,” concludes Per Trozell, product supervisor in gross sales area Europe & Worldwide at Volvo CE. “However now that we have now up to date them with our most fun options and easy operation, the most effective simply received higher. Our capacity to take care of a world-leading place on this section is testomony to our unwavering dedication to excellence, with high quality, security and environmental care firmly at its coronary heart.”
This text first appeared within the June problem of iVT
Pictures courtesy of Volvo CE
