Engineering support services company Babcock is preparing to introduce a new line-up of rigid haulers into the mining, opencast and quarrying sector in Southern Africa.

The new line-up follows manufacturer Volvo Construction Equipment’s (Volvo CE’s) announcement earlier this year that it will launch its own range of Volvo CE-branded rigid haulers. As part of the range, Volvo is introducing the R100E – an entirely new Volvo CE product, with a design focused on cost-effective production, durability, comfort and safety.

Volvo CE has already completed extensive product testing of the new R100E in South Africa, a key market for rigid haulers. Production of the new Volvo-branded rigid haulers will begin in Motherwell, Scotland, in mid-2018.

Babcock equipment business MD David Vaughan explains that the R100E will be available in South Africa exclusively through Babcock and will be backed by the same aftersales support, immediate access to parts and qualified service technicians and maintenance facilities available for all Babcock-distributed machinery.

Babcock has been the official distributor of Volvo CE in Southern Africa since 2000. Following the acquisition of Terex Trucks by Volvo CE in 2014, Babcock took over sole distributorship of the range of powerful rigid and articulated haulers in the region in October 2015, he explains.

Vaughan adds that these trucks are suitable for heavy construction, quarry and opencast mining applications and are “well known for their superior quality, robust durable designs, competitive pricing, and ability to operate efficiently under extreme working conditions”.

R100E Features

The R100E uses the fully electronic Cummins QST30 engine, which provides good power and fuel efficiency, through an improved ‘connected’ drivetrain. Volvo explains that the R100E “delivers high levels of productivity and performance” through a large 60.4 m3 carrying capacity in the ‘double V-type’ body.

“Designed to meet customer demands for a rigid hauler that delivers comfort, performance and productivity, the R100E simultaneously provides a low cost of ownership and ease of serviceability,” according to Babcock.

Babcock highlights that the R100E has several different benefits, including the higher levels of durability and component protection for longer life cycles, increased uptime and reduced operational costs. Further, well laid out service points will promote safe, quick maintenance and increased machine uptime.

The company explains that the introduction of ‘Volvo Adaptive Shift Control’ in the R100E provides automated adaptive shift schedules “for good performance and fuel efficiencies in all operating conditions”. Meanwhile, the deep tapered profile in the load bin with longitudinal V-slope floor plates provides load retention and low centre of gravity for operating on steeper mining slopes and load stability in all hauling conditions.

“A new suspension design and wheel track configuration absorbs high levels of ground impact shocks for operator comfort and component protection. A newly designed cab features an ergonomic layout for improved operator experience and a 360-degree visual system for safe and efficient operation,” according to Babcock.

Truck Range

Babcock and Volvo also highlight the new D-Series, which is based on the existing and well-proven Terex Truck TR-series trucks. The D-Series comprises the R45D, R60D and the R70D, which have undergone an in-depth engineering review to ensure the new machines meet the standards expected from Volvo products.

The new D-Series machines will have Volvo CE branding and have benefited from numerous improvements, including enhanced operator visibility and safety systems. Vaughan highlights that customers who have purchased Terex Trucks rigid haulers will continue to receive full backing and support from Babcock during the transition period.

“Although the Terex Trucks rigid haulers will be phased out over time, Babcock will fulfil existing orders and continue to provide full aftersales service to those that are in the market already,” he says.

He adds that the Terex Trucks articulated haulers will still be manufactured and that Volvo CE remains committed to Terex Trucks, an established and strong brand name. The new range of Volvo CE rigid haulers, together with the selection of Terex Trucks and Volvo CE articulated haulers supplied by Babcock, provides a suite of construction and mining machinery to the Southern African market.

“The range of articulated trucks are most suited to steep inclines and rough, wet terrain, while the rigid haulers prove themselves when high volumes need to be transported over long hauls,” Vaughan concludes.