iVT travels to Sweden for the launch of Volvo’s new articulated hauler vary, which delivers improved energy, productiveness and security options throughout six up to date fashions and one brand-new addition. Following our go to, two battery electrical variations have been unveiled at Bauma in Munich
In 1966, the world’s first articulated hauler, often known as Gravel Charlie, was manufactured in Volvo CE’s manufacturing, R&D and check facility in Braås, Sweden. Now, virtually 60 years later, the corporate has unveiled its largest articulated hauler launch up to now. Best for purposes in quarrying, building and mining industries, the lineup is comprised of six upgraded fashions – the A25, A30, A35, A40, A45 and A60 – in addition to the brand-new 45-tonne A50. “The vary is split into three households,” explains Niclas Lind, technical product supervisor at Volvo CE’s manufacturing facility for articulated haulers. “We now have the small household, the A25 and A30, after which we’ve the big household, the A35, A40 and A45 machines. On the high we’ve the A50 and A60 machines. We now have designed the machines for a spread of purposes. As you go up the dimensions lessons, the larger machines are excellent for mild mining, for instance, whereas the smaller machines are extra suited to building purposes.”
Energy and productiveness
Delivering 336kW to 385kW and a payload of 34,500kg to 45,000kg, Volvo’s articulated haulers keep a constant power-to-payload ratio throughout completely different fashions, guaranteeing balanced efficiency no matter measurement. “Throughout all fashions, we’ve put in three diesel engine households which have been developed and manufactured in-house at Volvo,” says Lind. “We now have the D11J for the smaller A25 and A30 fashions, D13J and D16J for the bigger A35, A40, A45 and A60 fashions, and the D16J particularly for the heavy-duty A60.”
The brand new era haulers share a number of key options designed to maximise productiveness and effectivity. The Volvo drivetrain with Terrain Reminiscence is a system that identifies and remembers slippery highway segments to make sure optimised traction management. The clever operate helps to take care of off-road mobility, delivering optimum gas effectivity with out compromising on energy. “The principle objective is to make it helpful for the shopper in order that productiveness and gas effectivity might be higher,” says Lind.
Security is vital
To enhance traction, when activated, computerized drive mixtures with 100% differential locks guarantee energy is distributed equally to all wheels. This prevents particular person wheels from spinning freely once they lose traction, very best for muddy, slippery or uneven floor circumstances. For extra stability, the all-terrain bogie system, that includes Volvo’s specialised suspension design, permits the rear axles to pivot independently, sustaining floor contact even over uneven surfaces or ditches. In consequence, the machine has improved traction and cargo distribution which is vital when carrying heavy payloads throughout building websites or quarries.
The Volvo Dynamic Drive system options predictive gear choice that adapts to working circumstances like load weight or floor slope. For additional operator management, the downhill velocity management maintains a preset velocity when travelling downhill, even with heavy masses, eliminating the necessity for fixed brake utility and lowering brake put on.
Superior in-cab options
Contained in the cab, all important info is conveniently displayed on simply two screens. The interactive Volvo Co-Pilot show permits the operator to manage all machine operations. “Volvo Co-Pilot is built-in within the machine,” says Lind. “In a single display screen you could possibly see the doorway of the machine within the higher left nook, for instance, and within the right-hand nook you could possibly see behind the machine. Utilizing the show, the operator can simply navigate machine settings, local weather management, radio, cameras, in addition to view the machine’s standing. With Volvo’s Co- Pilot’s map operate, the operator may see different machines that it’s related to on the identical web site and the place they’re situated on the map. One other necessary operate is that the system has the flexibility to calculate how a lot the machine will transfer – or how a lot filth it would transfer –day-after-day. Lastly, we’ve the haul help system with on-board weighing offering real-time payload info.”
Visibility enhancements come from redesigned cab panels and wider wiper protection in addition to a decrease entrance hood. Non-obligatory entrance and rear cameras and a normal entrance digital camera managed by way of Volvo Co-Pilot additional enhances visibility. Security can be enhanced by way of a repositioned door entrance, railings on either side of the machine and lighting on the steps and platform.
Operator consolation is elevated additional with adjustable seats, Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, storage options, an ergonomic gear lever and a noise-reducing cab design.
Articulated haulers for the long run
The evolution of Volvo’s articulated haulers demonstrates the OEM’s continued concentrate on addressing terrain challenges first recognized within the Sixties. The brand new lineup maintains the core articulated design precept whereas incorporating technological developments to reinforce operations.
“Our haulers have all the time given our prospects an distinctive off-road efficiency, excellent operator consolation and most uptime,” concludes Per Trozell, product supervisor in gross sales area Europe & Worldwide at Volvo CE. “However now that we’ve up to date them with our most fun options and easy operation, the most effective simply bought higher. Our potential to take care of a world-leading place on this phase is testomony to our unwavering dedication to excellence, with high quality, security and environmental care firmly at its coronary heart.”
This text first appeared within the June problem of iVT
Photographs courtesy of Volvo CE
