Volvo Construction Equipment has unveiled its new range of Volvo-branded rigid haulers to customers and dealers
All eyes were on the new range of Volvo-branded rigid haulers when Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) officially launched the new machines in front of customers and dealers at the company’s Motherwell facility in Scotland on 10 April. Guests got their first glimpse of the new machines – which consist of the 45-ton R45D, 60-ton R60D, 72-ton R70D and the flagship 95-tonne R100E. The star of the show was the R100E, a completely new rigid hauler that combines a wealth of market and customer knowledge with proven components, new technologies and a striking new design – all providing a cost-effective and productive solution to fulfil the needs of today’s mining and quarrying customers. The new four-model range is initially available in less regulated markets.
With a focus on helping customers achieve production targets faster – and using less fuel in the process, Volvo’s new rigid haulers are made for surface mining and quarrying applications where operational costs and safe operations are critical. Uptime and productivity are centered on the range’s durable design that promotes high component protection and longer lifecycles. Efficient and intelligent, the Volvo haulers boast a competitive power-to-weight ratio, effective gearing and weight distribution that gives the tractive effort to allow the machines to traverse steep slopes in total control.
As well as having the chance to inspect the new machines, guests at the landmark event also got to the opportunity to test drive the all-new flagship R100E, see how the rigid haulers are designed and made and watch them in action at a nearby quarry.
Voice of the customer
With customer input key to the development of the new range of rigid haulers, the machines have undergone extensive field testing – with very positive results. One such customer is Trollope Mining Services, a contract mining company based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
“The Volvo R100E is an impressive design that offers a good balance between productivity, fuel efficiency, comfort, ease of maintenance and safety,” said Sagrys De Villiers, site manager at the Manungu Colliery. “We are sure that this truck will be a strong competitor in the rigid truck market in the future.”
“The R100E is capable of carrying an extra bucket pass compared to other 100t trucks being used on the site,” agreed workshop manager Danie van Niekerk. “This means extra productivity for the mine, which is very valuable. Speed and acceleration of the hauler on inclines compares favorably against competitor machines, even when fully loaded and carrying more material.”
The E-Series R100E is a completely new machine that delivers stability, a long service life, high profitability, durability and comfort. With its high capacity and hauling speeds, new V-shaped body, efficient hydraulics, intelligent monitoring systems and operator environment, Volvo CE demonstrated how the rigid hauler will help customers in the mining and quarrying segments move more material in less time. Moreover, the R100E is also quick and simple to operate and maintain.
