Volvo ADTs for Sibelco
NINETEEN Volvo articulated haulers are currently working on the haul roads at Sibelco’s ball clay operations in north Devon and Preston Manor Works, in Kingsteignton. In recent years Sibelco have forged a strong relationship with Volvo CE, which has resulted in repeat business for the Swedish equipmentmanufacturers.
‘The important issue for us is the way in which we’ve been supported by the whole team at Volvo since we kicked this off back in 2005,’ said Ken Dunn, UK mobile plant manager for Sibelco.
Mr Dunn cited the maintenance support, back-up and co-operation as the main drivers for continuing to do business with Volvo CE. ‘A full-time Volvo engineer on site and after-market support from sales and product specialists are prime examples of Volvo’s commitment to maintaining a high-level of customer care and service for Sibelco,’ he said.
The company has replaced its original fleet with 10 A30E and nine A25E articulated trucks. All the ADTs are equipped with full overhung tailgates, Groeneveld Twin greasing systems, Simret brake testers, Volvo Caretrack advance telematics and Prolec weigh loaders with the capability of transmitting data back to a central point.
The Volvo A30E and A25E haulers are both powered by a Tier-III-compliant turbocharged, high-performance, low-emission 9-litre diesel engine, producing 343hp and 305hp respectively. This is said to help make the trucks easy to manoeuvre in difficult terrain and when starting from standstill.
The dump body on the A25E has a load capacity of 24 tonnes with an 15.6 cu m heaped SAE 2:1 volume with the full tailgate fitted, while the A30E can carry 28 tonnes in its 18.1 cu m skip. Both bodies are constructed from 400HB steel throughout, providing both high yield and tensile strength.
A key feature of the articulated trucks is the patented Volvo load and dump brake. When the hauler is in position for loading or dumping, the operator presses a button to automatically apply the brakes and place the transmission in neutral. This improves safety and minimizes wear on the brakes and rivetrain.
The same button is also used to transmit information, such as weight, the type of product being tipped and the location where it is tipping, back to a central computer to provide accurate stock values for the fleet operator. Once loading or dumping has been completed, the operator selects a gear and the load and dump brake is disengaged.
Volvo Construction Equipment Ltd, Duxford, Cambridge CB22 4QX; tel: (01223) 251720; fax: (01223) 832799.
