New articulated haulage tractor to be released soon

4th April 2014

By: Ilan Solomons

Creamer Media Staff Writer

  

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A new AH190B articulated haulage tractor is currently in the final stages of devel- opment and manufacture will start in May this year, reports local original- equipment manufacturer Desmond Equipment.

“The upgraded articulated haulage tractor is aimed primarily at bulk materials handling and off-road applications but is also suitable for a number of construction applications, such as crane haulage and civil works,” Desmond Equipment director Carl Gutzeit tells Engineering News.

The AH190B has a 205 kW Cummins QSB Tier 4 diesel engine, with a 6.7 ℓ
capacity and torque of 990 Nm.

The tractor has a ZF 6WG210 fully automatic transmission, with six forward gears and one reverse gear, while it has a top speed of 40 km/h and Graziano PR15 axles.

The AH190B’s front-axle operational weight is 8 500 kg and its rear axle weighs 3 800 kg.

“Feedback received from customers indicated that they required the machines to have increased pulling power. This was the determining factor in redesigning specific elements of the AH190B,” Gutzeit explains.

Moreover, he says that Desmond Equipment has increased the power of the AH190B and combined this additional power with a deeper overall axle ratio to provide more efficient pulling power between gears one and six.

“Based on current legislation and stringent mine requirements, this machine is geared for a top speed of 40 km/h,” Gutzeit states, adding that the diesel engine complies with emission-control regulations that will result in a reduction in nitrogen oxides and particulate matter in diesel exhausts.

We also offer a range of options to limit speeds if a specific mine has different speed restrictions,” he adds.

Meanwhile, in April last year, the company launched its H140T two-wheel-drive rigid haulage tractor for use in several market sectors, including earthmoving and construction.
Gutzeit notes that, in July 2012, Desmond Equipment launched its first locally manufactured 21 t front-end loader, the D3500 wheel loader. The D3500 wheel loader is gaining popularity.

“As the advantages of owning and operating a locally designed and manufactured brand become evident, we expect that demand for the D3500 will increase exponentially.

“All these products are intended for the local and African markets. The company’s slogan is ‘Built Africa Tough’, [which refers] to the fact that equipment is designed, developed and manufactured locally to suit the arduous African environment,” he asserts.

Further, Gutzeit says that sales for the H140T rigid haulage tractor have been “phenomenal”.

“The tractor is a popular machine and is favoured by a wide and varied customer base throughout South Africa and Africa.”

Technical Specifications

The H140T tractor has a 149 kW Cummins 6 BTA 5.9 turbocharged diesel engine, with a 5.9 ℓ capacity and torque of 814 Nm.

“The tractor’s Allison 3000 World Series transmission is equipped with six forward gears and one reverse gear. It can reach a top speed of 40 km/h, with Desmond nondrive 4 × 2 front axles and Rockwell PRC673P rear axles,” says Gutzeit.

The H140T front-axle operational weight is 2 100 kg and its rear-axle weight is
3 840 kg, with a total tare of 5 940 kg and a total gross combination mass of 48 000 kg.

The D3500 wheel loader is equipped with a 194 kW Cummins QSB Tier 3 diesel engine and Graziano PR24 axles, with a 6.7 ℓ capacity and torque of 990 Nm.

Gutzeit states that the D3500 wheel loader has a ZF 5WG260 fully automatic transmission, with five forward gears and one reverse gear, and can reach a top speed of 36 km/h.

He says the D3500 wheel loader’s front-axle operational weight is 9 580 kg and its rear axle weight is 10 920 kg – totalling 20 500 kg – with a breakout force of 19 380 kg.

The D3500 bucket sizes range from 2 m³ to 4 m³, with an operating weight of 21 t.

Proudly South African

Gutzeit points out that Desmond Equipment’s Dezzi brand is locally designed, developed and manufactured to suit the extreme and demanding conditions of Africa.

“As such, we feel that the major challenge of developing rugged equipment for arduous operations has been overcome. Our products are designed as basic machines with a resultant lower downtime, as they do not incorporate highly sophisticated electronics. The company’s machines can be maintained by a suitably qualified diesel mechanic and do not require expensive analytical equipment.”

He adds that the company’s machines also incorporate internationally recognised engines, transmissions and, in some instances, axles.

Research and Development

Gutzeit says that customer feedback, combined with many years of experience and knowledge, has led to the development of each of the products in the Desmond Equipment range.

“A comprehensive test facility at our Port Shepstone facilities, in KwaZulu-Natal, enables us to fine-tune and enhance features on each piece of equipment we produce.”

“Desmond Equipment makes full use of the topographical features in the area to put our equipment through extensive on-site testing. Prior to the launch of a prototype, we work closely with selected customers to pilot-test a machine for a period of time. “ This enabled the design team to resolve any issues and refine the final product,” explains Gutzeit, who adds that the company spent several months testing the D3500 at its facilities with a customer.

 

Edited by Megan van Wyngaardt
Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

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