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ladimir Pokras, Analysis and Simulation The T 282 B is Liebherr Minings flagship to design its trucks. In particular, engineers
Manager, Liebherr Mining Equipment truck, which he says is the proven largest create virtual vehicle models to predict truck
explains that Liebherr engineers rely on diesel electric mining truck currently in behaviour for a variety of load situations,
ANSYS structural simulation technology to production. With a load capacity of 363 t, the including turning, hitting deep holes and
develop large electric drive trucks for the harsh 7.8-m-high behemoth is 15.3 m long, runs on bumps, and backing into barriers. Should
operating conditions of mining while providing a set of six 4-m tyres, and is powered by a simulation indicate a potential trouble spot, it is
maximum load capacity. Ultra-class mining gigantic 3,650-hp (2,721 kW) diesel engine. then simple to modify the virtual model to
trucks are designed to transport heavy loads The payload to empty vehicle weight ratio is a explore alternatives and what-if scenarios that
over spiralling roads, he notes. With fuel very important characteristic for the giant would be entirely impractical to study with
efficiency, hauling productivity and operating trucks. The T 282 B, rated at 1.6, offers the physical mockups.
costs high on their list of priorities, mine best ratio in its size class. These engineers work to resolve problems
operators are particularly drawn to trucks with The engineering challenge is designing and refine designs earlier in development and
electrically driven wheels powered by diesel lightweight trucks strong enough for mining. reduce the number of vehicle prototype test
generators, instead of mechanical powertrains This is no easy feat, Pokras says, mining cycles. Currently, two or three physical
with gearboxes and driveshafts. Diesel electric trucks are some of the most abused vehicles in mockups are needed for a typical new truck
trucks typically are easier to operate, cost less the world. Often, operators drive as fast as design half the number built and tested 10
to purchase and generally outperform they can to haul as many loads as possible over years ago. The aim is to perform simulations so
mechanical trucks, especially on steep grades. huge boulders, deep craters, hip-deep mud and accurately and in such great detail that only a
Theyre also easier to repair and maintain, waterlogged muck. Trucks are put to the test single physical prototype would be needed to
which is a real plus in remote mining locations every hour of every day in conditions like this validate the mechanical and electrical design of
where uptime is critical and work must be done around the world. the vehicle before production begins.
on site. Liebherr relies heavily on engineering analysis The key to this simulation-based design
SURFACE HAUL TRUCKS
Caterpillar is still firmly of the majority of mining operations. But as the only
opinion that mechanical drive manufacturer of 181-t and larger mining
trucks are the best solution trucks with both mechanical drive and electric
drive systems, [it] will soon be able to offer
trucks that address all mining company
preferences.
Power packs
Cummins presented the new QSX11.9 and
QSX15 Heavy-Duty engine duo to the off-
highway industry at Bauma. Featuring the
performance-enhancing technology of
Cummins Xtra-High Pressure Injection (XPI) fuel
system and a variable geometry turbocharger,
the QSX engines represent a major leap
forward across the 224-447 kW range.
The 11.9-litre and 15-litre QSX are supplied
as fully integrated air-intake-to-exhaust after
treatment systems to meet 2011 EPA Tier 4
Interim and EU Stage IIIB regulations. The
engines use a Cummins Particulate Filter to
in this machine, to give those that want explained Ed McCord, Mining Truck Product reduce Particulate Matter (PM) emissions by
electric drive the option and because it neatly Manager. With the latest technology in AC over 90% and incorporate a proven cooled
fills a capacity gap in the Cat product line. electric drives now available, Caterpillar is able Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system to
At the time this news was given out in late to offer both types of drive to the mining reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions by
September 2009, the first 795F AC drive was industry. We see the addition of electric mining 45%.
on trial in a copper operation and more field trucks as a complement to our mechanical While achieving low emissions, the QSX
follow units were to go out onto mines soon drive trucks. engines will lower operating costs with up to
after. Along with the expansion of field The most evident new component is the Cat 5% improved fuel efficiency compared with
validation, Caterpillar will prepare this model C175 diesel engine, which is the power plant Tier 3, Cummins says, depending on duty
for production. Caterpillar engineers have been for each of the new trucks. The C175 meets cycle. Machine productivity is boosted beyond
testing two 795F AC prototypes, including the US EPA Tier 2 emissions standards, yet it that of Tier 3 applications, with faster engine
truck shown at MINExpo, at the Tucson delivers 2,983 kW in the 20-cylinder version response and significantly higher torque rise.
Proving Grounds. The development program that powers the 363-t capacity 797F. The 16- Cleaner and quieter operation is a further
has provided input for the construction of the cylinder C175 powers the 795F AC with 2,535 noticeable benefit.
new 795F AC in Decatur, Illinois that shipped kW, and it powers the 793F, which has a 227-t Hugh Foden, Executive Director, Cummins
to a copper mine in North America where it capacity, with 1,976 kW. The C175 promises Off-Highway Business: The QSX engines are
became the first field-follow 795F AC as it longer life between rebuilds, lower sound the culmination of a heavy-duty engine
works at the mine. The 313-t-capacity 795F levels, improved altitude capability and development program with an investment by
AC is a new size class for Caterpillar, and, as a improved fuel consumption compared to the Cummins of almost $100 million. With the on-
result, the primary focus of the Caterpillar AC 3500 Series engines it replaces. However, for highway ISX version of the engine already on
electric program has been on the 795F AC. those using that engine in older trucks, the road in North America, this means that the
The commercial launch date will be defined as development continues. QSX engines will enter the off-highway market
the field-follow program progresses. As a brand new platform, the 795F AC with proven performance. Equipped with next-
In mechanical drive, the 793F and the 797F incorporates new technologies throughout. For generation systems such as XPI fuel injection
have accumulated more than 75,000 hours of example, four-corner blended braking and and VGT Turbochargers, the QSX engines are
field testing and have proven their retarding using Cat oil immersed and cooled ready to move forward to meet Tier 4 Final
performance capabilities and their durability. disc brakes as well as electrical retarding near-zero emissions in 2014 with minimal
The new Cat C175 engine that powers them enhances safety and operator confidence. The change.
has racked up 130,000 hours of field testing in remote-mounted generator enables servicing The Tier 4 QSX15 takes the strength of the
mining trucks and more than 120,000 hours in without removing other major components, Tier 3 base engine and evolves to meet Tier 4
power systems. Because of the success of and the wheel motors mounted inside the axle with substantially upgraded combustion, air-
these field-follow programs, the 793F is enable easy and separate servicing of the final handling and fuel injection capability. Power
targeted to go into full production within a drives. The retarding grids are radial, which output of the 15-litre engine extends from 298
few months and the 797F late this year. promotes more uniform air flow for better to 447 kW with a huge peak torque of 2,779
The new Cat trucks offer innovative designs reliability. And the Cat proprietary drive system N-m.
for improved safety and performance. All of is fully integrated and fully supported by Equally significant is the high peak torque,
the F-Series mining trucks incorporate Caterpillar. which has a remarkable rise of up to 50%,
innovative design and engineering that enables Caterpillar believes that mechanical drive available from both QSX11.9 and QSX15
them to deliver lowest cost per tonne, mining trucks will satisfy the needs of the vast engine ratings. This enables the engine to
quickly take full advantage of the available with conventional cylindrical air cleaners, while benefits from an integrated system with low
torque just as rpm speed falls due to tougher achieving equal or better filtration conversion and operating costs.
working conditions. performance. This is achieved by the innovative From 2014/15, for EPA Tier 4 final, the
Cummins says the XPI is the most capable V-Block rectangular configuration of the most stringent emissions level so far defined,
common-rail fuel system ever used on a heavy- Direct Flow, which optimises space normally MTU thus has engines with the lowest
duty engine. It injects a precise quantity of fuel wasted in the inner diameter of round air filter consumption figures across the entire power
at extra-high pressure with multiple injection elements. The Direct Flow housing features an range from around 100 kW to 3,000 kW.
events per cycle. Even for the most integral sensor for monitoring temperature and At a Patriot Coal surface mine overburden is
demanding equipment duty cycles, the XPI pressure to ensure that optimum airflow is hauled by the most powerful trucks in the
system enables faster, smoother power delivery delivered to the engine during all operating companys fleet diesel-electric Komatsu 730-
with lower fuel consumption. The XPI is conditions. Es. Many of the coal mines in this part of
complemented by the Cummins VGT Tognum subsidiary MTU Friedrichshafen Appalachia are mountaintop mines where the
Turbocharger which is able to continuously used Bauma, to present for the first time its top of the mountain is literally removed to
vary airflow boost and manage the EGR. wide-ranging engine program for all future expose the seam of coal. To reduce fuel costs
Electric actuation allows infinite adjustment to emissions levels. This covers drives up to 730 and get longer engine life, Patriot Coal has
provide an exact amount of boost across the kW for US EPA Tier 4 (from 2014) as well as been replacing the trucks original-equipment
rpm range. The unique sliding-nozzle design engines below 560 kW for EU Stage III B and Tier 1 engines with powerful and efficient
has fewer moving parts, providing high EPA Tier 4 interim (from 2011) and includes MTU Series 4000 Tier 2 engines.
reliability. Series 400, Series 500, Series 900, Series 2000 Patriot Coal already had successful
Tier 4 engine management is significantly and Series 4000 engines producing between experience with MTU Series 4000 Tier 1
upgraded with the latest Cummins CM2250 approximately 100 kW and 3,000 kW. This engines in 16 of their Komatsu 830 haul
Electronic Control Module (ECM) providing would include haul trucks, wheel loaders and trucks, says Curtis Bartlett of Western Branch
three times faster processing power and excavators in the worlds biggest mines. Diesel, the regions MTU distributor. So, when
double the memory capability compared with We are already in a position to show it came time to repower one of the 730-E
the Tier 3 module. This advanced capability customers our solutions for 2014 and those trucks, the company decided to use the new
also allows a seamless electronic interface to solutions not only meet the targets, they do it MTU Series 4000 Tier 2 engine. In addition to
other systems on the equipment. on less fuel, said Rainer Breidenbach, Tognum having the objectives of lower emissions,
The Cummins Particulate Filter exhaust after COO with responsibility for the business unit longer engine life and better fuel economy,
treatment replaces the exhaust muffler while Engines. That is a clear token of our Patriot wanted to standardise its fleet to
providing equivalent sound reduction and is commitment and for our customers it confirms reduce costs associated with parts and
structurally strengthened to withstand severe our status as a solid and reliable partner over maintenance.
off-highway shock loads and vibration. the long term. The original engines, from a different
Introduced to meet EPA 2007 on-highway 10V and 12V 1600 engines for mining manufacturer, had 16 cylinders and produced
emissions, it is a proven system with over applications extend the program up to 730 1,491 kW. The MTU Series 4000 engine that
450,000 manufactured by Cummins Emission kW. These meet EPA Tier 4 requirements using was installed is capable of producing 1,678
Solutions. Field tests have demonstrated that exhaust gas recirculation and do not need kW with only 12 cylinders. MTUs
Tier 4 equipment powered with a QSX11.9 or either diesel particulate filters or SCR units. improvements to the Series 4000 achieved EPA
QSX15 engine will operate at high enough MTU says that in order to meet stringent Tier 2 emissions compliance by cutting
engine load factors for it to clean PM emissions limits while also keeping complexity nitrogen oxides and particulate emissions in
emissions by simple passive regeneration to a minimum for customers and achieving half, while creating an engine with significantly
almost every time. Active regeneration, which even lower fuel consumption, [it] has placed higher power density, according to Bartlett.
is initiated by the injection of a small amount particular emphasis on optimising the The higher output is due to a combination of
of fuel, typically occurs less than 1% of the combustion process. This is the only way of improvements that include second-generation
equipment operating time. The regeneration minimising the outlay necessary for exhaust common-rail fuel injection, advanced electronic
process takes place automatically and does not gas after-treatment. Overall, the customer engine controls and more precise fuel metering
impact machine performance or operation. for improved combustion compared to Tier 1
The QSX11.9 and QSX15 engines are engines.
integrated with the new Direct Flow air In addition to its compact size and higher
cleaner, specifically developed to provide more power output, the Tier 2 Series 4000 12-
performance in less space for Tier 4 cylinder engine delivers up to 20% better fuel
applications. Increased dust-holding capacity economy, according to Bartlett. While the MTU
enables this technology to reduce air cleaner 12-cylinder engine can produce 1,678 kW, the
installation space claim compared existing General Electric traction alternator and
electronics in the haul truck are designed and
limited to 1,491 kW. With this lower power
requirement, MTU was able to limit the output
of the new engine to that by simply installing a
lower power calibration. This promotes
Volvo A40E longevity because the engine is operating at
less than full power. Bartlett estimates the life
of the new MTU Tier 2 engine to be at least design, manufacturing and material ADTs
30,000 hours before an engine overhaul is upgrades. For the flywheel, the Bauma gave Volvo the chance to
required, or the truck is rebuilt. use of FEA identified an demonstrate a range of
As part of an ongoing product optimisation opportunity to innovations in the articulated
initiative, Allison Transmission has hauler sector. One of them is
introduced a second reverse gear the Hauler Chassis program,
on all its 4700 and 4800 which provides bodybuilders
models for the 2010 model with a modular system that
year. This offers a second forms the basis for several
deep reverse in addition other superstructure versions.
to the standard reverse to This program gives
provide greater control and bodybuilders the appropriate
engine braking during support throughout the
operation on steep grades. design and build phase,
2nd Reverse should also says Nikolay Konovalov,
enable increased Volvos global product
manoeuvrability when operating marketing specialist for
in confined spaces, allowing articulated haulers. Volvo has
quicker operation cycles and thereby developed a dedicated web-
boosting productivity performance. portal, where drawings, diagrams
Customers in mining in particular, will and technical instructions to perform
appreciate the provision of a deeper reverse suitable work on a hauler chassis can be
gear, says Larry Love, Allison Executive found. There is also clarification about legal
Director of International Marketing. The responsibilities, warranty conditions and the
shorter ratios of 2nd Reverse will make up and Allison Transmission's new a second reverse gear on possibility to contact Volvo experts for
downhill reversing much safer and easier in all its 4700 and 4800 models offers a second `deep additional help if needed, so that the complete
heavy duty applications, giving drivers reverse' in addition to the standard reverse to provide vehicle can perform its task safely, efficiently
additional confidence. This is another reason to greater control and engine braking during operation and economically.
specify an Allison fully automatic transmission, on steep grades On Volvos outdoor area exhibit at Bauma,
complementing features such as our adaptive two medium platform haulers, the A25E and
Electronic Control Systems and integral modify fillet radii and introduce heat treatment A30E were joined by one large platform
retarder that aim to improve comfort and and reduce stress. Case hardening and machine, the A40E FS, featuring ATC
productivity for drivers and operators. nitriding other interfacing components such as Automatic Traction Control. The Full
When a vehicle is in 2nd Reverse, it will have the turbine shaft and hub, together with Suspension (denoted by an FS in the machine
a slow creep capability with high engine increasing the shafts diameter, is expected to designation) provides good off-road
speeds. With a mechanical ratio of 17.12, it increase their fatigue durability by over six performance, allowing a fully loaded hauler to
will have an effective torque converter times. Extensive in-field comparative testing travel at much higher speeds, appearing to
multiplied ratio up to 32.5:1. The new 2nd has identified a significantly more durable float over rough ground without bouncing,
Reverse feature provides overall better bronze-based material for use in the lock up significantly increasing operator comfort,
performance and enhanced applicability for a clutch. which, in turn, increases overall productivity.
variety of applications. The 6620 will feature a new CEC3 electronic When travelling empty, return trips are also
A raft of enhancements has been added to control system when available that includes an substantially faster due to the smooth, stable
Allisons 6000 Series, including the new 6620 extended CAN messaging set (J1939 protocol) ride even over rough conditions, further
transmission. New hardware and software and other electrical interface upgrades. This decreasing the overall working cycle time.
upgrades for the transmission used in rigid translates into advantages for both OEMs and The Volvo FS system features automatic
dump and specialist mining trucks up to 70 t end-users. Manufacturers will benefit from an levelling and stability control. The system
are aimed at enhancing durability, lowering easier and higher level of integration with the constantly monitors the position of the axles,
operating costs and simplifying maintenance. vehicle architecture, for example the choice of with the help of sensors, adapting the
Available in the second half of 2010 and a proprietary shift selector as well as the suspension to suit the changing conditions,
replacing the 6610, this proactive design Allison derivative will now be possible. The absorbing rough spots and keeping the
upgrade responds to changes in engine opportunity to tune the transmission to an machine level while travelling, loading or
characteristics that are increasingly prevalent in operators specific requirement is now easier, dumping. Vibration levels are also considerably
the sector. Greater use of digital control for permitting increased performance or economy lower than in conventional machines, and by
engines delivers sharper torque response depending on the duty-cycle or application. providing a smoother ride, operators
through the driveline, necessitating upgrades Against the backdrop of a challenging experience less fatigue.
to protect the drivetrain. We have made economy, the operator or OEM can perfect a Liebherr became the new entrant in the ADT
detail improvements throughout the product vehicle to a specific drive cycle, says Reusser. market at Bauma. The 30 t capacity TA230
to further extend overhaul intervals and Together with the OEM, Allison can optimise displayed is the first model in a range that will
increase durability, says Brian Reusser, Allisons the vehicle for the best economy-productivity cover the 30 to 50 t categories. The next
Off-highway Product Manager. These include balance. release will be a 40 t unit. For the TA230,
operators complain about the number of false A number of open pit mines have installed machines approaching. Brigade's unique white
or unnecessary alarms from many devices SAFEmine CAS and see tangible benefits, not sound reversing alarms (bbs-tek) emit a broad
installed in their cabin. only in operators' improved traffic safety spectrum of sound frequencies which will
SAFEmine, a Switzerland based company, related behaviour, but also, for example, by more effectively penetrate ear defenders.
supplies traffic awareness and collision using the logfiles - which can be generated by However, they only work in the danger area so
avoidance technology that is operating in more the CAS - for analysis and subsequent do not cause a noise nuisance. The gentler ssh
than 14,000 units in general aviation and in improvements of specific sections of their ssh sound is less irritating than the shrill beep
more than 3,000 units in mining vehicles on roads, where critical situations occur of tonal reversing alarms and less likely to be
four continents: We believe that GPS will frequently. ignored by site workers used to hearing alarms
increase vehicle safety in open-pit mines According to Caterpillar, 70% of haul truck outside the danger area or tuning out the
significantly in the next 10 years. More and accidents at mines occur during initial machine pervasive sound due to habituation. The sound
more, advanced Collision Avoidance Systems start-up and low speed movement, because of source is instantly locatable, which means
will integrate GPS information to provide poor visibility. Brigade Electronics has a range those on site can pin point exactly which
accurate and relevant alarms. A rapidly of solutions to eliminate fatalities caused by vehicle is moving and in which direction.
increasing number of open pit mines has limited vision, including camera-monitor Brigade reports not only are they the safest
realised this and has decided to roll-out the systems designed to SAE J1455 specification reversing alarms on the market, they also
SAFEmine technology today says Cyrille and certified to ISO 13766:2006 standard for come with a lifetime warranty.
Sauvain, Sales Director at SAFEmine. earthmoving equipment. Brigade's cameras are Brigade strongly believes that best practice
One of these benefits is for the operators for maximum safety is to fit a combination of
traffic awareness, enabling them to see rather Brigades wide range of monitors include single, split, devices that provide both a visual image and
distant vehicles while being warned if triple, quad and picture-in-picture screen options and an audible warning.
dangerous traffic situations occur in close shutter camera options to prevent the lens from
proximity, when the collision avoidance alarm becoming dirty Tyre management
function is triggered. As not only distance The industry has long sought a closed
between vehicles is taken into account loop between the detection of a
but also their speed and heading as well rough road segment and the ability to
as the reaction time of the driver, crossing respond quickly to repair that
trajectories of vehicles can be detected segment. Solving this problem can
and alerts can be issued in time to avoid significantly improve travel times
a collision with some safety margin. For without capital-intensive projects. The
example, in a mine in Canada current economy demands that mines
outstanding performance of the SAFEmine enhance production with equipment
CAS was displayed on very narrow roads, they already have, and improving
where alarms can be set off easily when response time to rough roads could
vehicles pass. give a production boost during a time
Further key benefits of the SAFEmine when it is really needed.
CAS include Some may say that the problem of
360 protection at any speed and any detecting road conditions has long been
visibility (no blind spots) solved by payload sensors. However, onboard
Typical 500 m range (no line of sight payload measuring systems are not available
between vehicles required) on all equipment and few mines have all of
Compact size and simple installation water resistant up to IP69K and monitors up to their trucks equipped with these systems,
Highly selective 3D motion prediction IP67, making them ideal for heavy duty according to Modular Mining Systems. Though
(minimising nuisance warnings) applications, rugged terrain or where the cab open pits have technology they can use, there
No radio or IT infrastructure required is exposed to the elements. are still issues with detection systems. More
Configurable to mine vehicle size, type, and Recently displayed at Bauma, Brigade's importantly, few tools exist to adequately
characteristics Xtreme Backsense is a pulsed radar detection respond to detected events.
Cost effective. system with some unique features. Xtreme is To respond properly to rough roads,
Moreover, the SAFEmine CAS features many designed to detect people or objects in the awareness is essential. Operators recognise bad
options, such as obstacle maps, harsh driving blind spots, providing the driver with a road segments, and they can use an option to
detection, black box recording, powerline graduated in-cab audible and visual warning. It indicate such locations via manual input - but
alarms, voice alerts, roll-over alarm, IVMS, etc. is also effective through non metallic objects manual input has safety concerns for operators
Special set-ups for rotating vehicles like and can be programmed to ignore fixed and reliability issues for management. Modular
excavators, shovels, draglines, chain dozers, objects, bodywork and attachments. The has responded to this dilemma with the Road
etc. yield additional safety, as the orientation innovative technology works effectively in Roughness module, which consists of a rugged
of the respective vehicle is taken into account. harsh environments and in poor visibility accelerometer that can be installed on any
For visitors' vehicles, special Quick Mount Units (darkness, smoke, fog). haul truck to solve the detection problem. The
are available to mount on a vehicle temporarily The risk of collisions with site workers is accelerometer is an effective, low-maintenance
entering the mine, and then removed again, further increased by those who may be and purpose-built device that reliably detects
both in a matter of seconds. wearing ear defenders and unable to hear road conditions without the need for operator
into the redesigned 007 MFT product line. around the world.
These tyres feature a new belt package that Len Hensel, GKN Wheels North American
provides a more durable design. Overall Technical Director for Off-highway Wheels,
durability was also improved with changes to said: We have employed the very latest
the compounds in the tread and base, which engineering technologies and computer-
help reduce overall heat generation and simulated modelling techniques to develop our
improve the cut, chip and wear characteristics new range of mining wheels. The largest
of the tyre. Titan also removed the steel from mining trucks carry loads of up to 400 t and
the sidewalls of the tyre, providing for a more the wheels for this machinery must fulfil the
durable carcass, while the lower sidewall toughest performance criteria, demonstrating
flange features a new compound and profile both strength and reliability. GKNs mining
for added durability. The tyres new narrow wheels have been operating in various mine
profile eliminates potential interference issues sites since early 2009 and are exceeding our
with haul trucks. performance expectations.
A non-solid centre tread design helps reduce GKN Wheels designed the large mining
internal heat generation and allows the heat to wheels at its state-of-the-art North American
more easily dissipate, reducing tyre running Technical Centre. The wheels are being
temperatures by some 1.6 to 4.4C. This manufactured at the companys plant in
reduction in running temperature allows the Liuzhou, China, before being supplied directly
end user to run haul trucks longer distances into the aftermarket. Hensel added: The
and at a higher speed, while still maintaining mining wheels marketplace has remained
an operating temperature that is within the largely unchanged for many years and GKNs
tyres capabilities. entry is exciting. At the same time as
Titan also incorporated sipes into the tyre introducing more choice and helping to drive
lugs, which provide additional traction and competition, we are giving manufacturers of
significantly improve heat dissipation, or mining machinery the chance to improve the
cooling. The lighter construction of the second reliability of their mining trucks and pass on
generation 007 MFT helps reduce overall heat efficiency benefits to the mine operator. IM
generation and allows for a larger payload.
A tyre pressure monitoring system is also
available from Titan. This monitors the internal
temperature and pressure of each tyre, and
using Bluetooth technology the system shares
the information with the driver and the mine
management system. Operation personnel can
monitor tyre performance and make route
changes as needed to maintain efficient mine
operation and help balance haul truck work
loads.
The second generation 007 MFT tyres have
been designed to end-users needs and the
modifications have been verified through finite
element analysis, said Steltmann. We also
validated the tyres performance using our
industry-exclusive radial fatigue testing
machine. We put these tyres to the test to help
ensure their performance in the field.
GKN Wheels now manufactures large
wheels for the mining sector, bringing greater
choice to the marketplace. The company
began manufacturing large mining wheels last
year, initially for the mining machinery
aftermarket and the intention is to increase
output over the next few years. The wheels are
available in diameters ranging from 45-63. It
says its track record in manufacturing high
quality wheels for the global off-highway
industry, combined with successful field trials,
are already attracting the interest of mining
machinery manufacturers in the US and