Rough-terrain solution for German clay pit

Creaton GmbH overcome soft ground and steep gradients with new Doosan DA45-7 articulated dumptruck

CLAY and loam pits can be tough workplaces for machines, where the access roads are often poor and can only be travelled by vehicles that have effective rough-terrain capabilities and plenty of power.

This is certainly the case at the clay and loam pit run by Creaton GmbH, in Langenreichen-Buttenwiesen, Bavaria, southern Germany, where articulated dumptrucks (ADTs) from Doosan are used to overcome tough conditions and ensure efficient and safe transport of materials at all times.

Although the routes in and out of the Langenreichen-Buttenwiesen clay pit are not too long, at around 500m in length, the terrain is extremely challenging, especially in wet conditions, with soft ground and ascents and descents with gradients of up to 25%.

The latest addition to the Creaton fleet is a new Doosan DA45-7 ADT, powered by the new Scania Stage V DC13 13-litre diesel engine. Like all Doosan ADTs, the new DA45-7 features an articulation hinge positioned behind the turning ring to provide equal weight distribution to the front axle even during maximum steer articulation.

This combined with a free-swinging rear tandem bogie ensures equal distribution of weight to each wheel and guarantees permanent six-wheel contact and drive for equal power distribution and excellent performance particularly on difficult terrains such as soft ground, uneven surfaces, very steep slopes, tight turns or a combination of all of these conditions.

With 368kW (500hp) of engine power, the DA45-7 easily manages to transport its 41-tonne payload of material up the steep inclines to the intermediate storage area at the pit, even in wet and extremely slippery conditions.

Quarry manager Roland Kanefzky commented: ‘The DA45-7 has the best off-road capability of all the brands we tested. The previous generation of this model, the DA40-5, has been in service with us for five years and has been very impressive.’

The driver, Christoph Schimpp, added: ‘Thanks to the high engine power and the eight-speed transmission, the DA45-7 offers great power, even when fully loaded. The new self-adjusting front axle has also significantly improved driving comfort compared with the DA40-5.’

Creaton have equipped the new DA45-7 with wide Michelin 875/65 R29 XADN low ground pressure tyres, a Grammer adjustable suspended operator seat and GRIFA Softstep step up, all of which further increase driver comfort.