Australia [change]
Customer Testimonials for Mining / Quarry
ARTIC VS RIGID? Barro group proves there is no comparison to the Hitachi AH500D
Overview
Quarry Manager Matt Teesdale.
In August 2008 Barro Group took delivery of a new Hitachi AH500D Articulated Dump Truck for use at its Mountain View Quarry, located 70 kilometres west of Melbourne. The quarry excavates basalt rock, which is transported to the on-site crusher for production of raw material for the company’s concrete plants. The company re-opened the quarry in 2005, after it had been closed for sixteen years.
The decision to invest in a new dump truck was necessary in order to keep production capability of the site to 18 hours. The company decided to test Hitachi’s claims of higher productivity and lower fuel consumption by purchasing Hitachi’s 50 tonne articulated dump truck, the AH500D. While Barro Group is always looking to improve efficiency through lower costs and increased production, their true intention was to directly compare the performance of the Hitachi ADT against the rigid truck already on site. We’re pleased to report the AH500D has proved its superiority.
Using daily reports from Hitachi’s vehicle management system, Fleetmatic, it has been a simple task for Barro Group to prove Hitachi’s claims as being factual rather than ‘sales spin.’
In the last two months, the truck has hauled 56,852 tonnes in 227 hours, while consuming a measly 2,991 litres of fuel. This equates to a fuel usage of 19 tonnes per litre and 13.2 litres per hour. While these figures will obviously vary according to site, operator and conditions, this is just one example just how truly effective the AH500D is.
According to Quarry Manager Matt Teesdale, the information available from the Fleetmatic system is invaluable in managing site productivity. He receives automatically generated daily reports that list, amongst other data, tonnes moved, kilometres travelled, number of cycles and fuel consumption.
The AH500D, on site at Mountain View Quarry. In the background a Hitachi EX350H excavator is loading material into the crusher.
In the 1,000 hours the truck has been working on site, the machine has not skipped a beat. Moving effortlessly around the quarry, the machine easily performs under the heaviest of loads and is noticeably quieter than other machinery on site, particularly when compared to the rigid truck.
Additionally, while both rigid and articulated trucks perform well in dry conditions, it is in the wet that the AH500D shows its true capabilities. Fitted with 875/65R29 Michelin tyres as standard, the additional floatation and lighter weight of the machine ensures the Hitachi ADT is able to perform rain, hail or shine.
The Mountain View Quarry site operates the AH500D Monday to Friday on a 10 hour shift which, combined with other equipment on site, is sufficient to feed the crusher during the day and to build a stockpile large enough for the remainder of the afternoon shift production.
The only problem with the AH500D is getting the operators out of the cab - we’ve had reports that it’s so comfortable that the operators prefer to stay in the cab for the entire shift, rather than use the facilities on-site during downtime.
Matt Teesdale is so impressed with the AH500D that he would have no hesitation in recommending this truck to other potential users, and has suggested to senior Barro Group management that the Hitachi AH500D is the truck needed to meet their future requirements.
The AH500D features a Mercedes Benz OM502LA V8 engine, capable of delivering 390kW of power and achieving a top speed of 48 km/h. With a rated payload of 45,200 kilograms, the AH500D is the largest, most efficient articulated dump truck on the market, and is proving its capabilities at many locations around Australia.
Hitachi is excited at the prospect of offering these products to more customers who will experience the same benefits as Barro Group.
*For more information, please contact us (Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia Pty Ltd.)
*Duplicate of articles shown is prohibited without permission.
*The machines may not meet the regulations depending on countries.
Customer Profile
- Customer Name:
- Barro Group
- Business field:
- Mining/Quarry
- Product:
- AH500D
- Region:
- Australia
