The newly launched 760i loader was the focal point at multitask articulated loader designer and manufacturer Avant South Africa’s stand at BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA 2015.

The new 760i is the third iteration of Avant’s 700 series and is designed to build on the proven features of the existing models, says Avant SA lead sales consultant for specialised mining and construction Cobus Aucamp.

Unlike other loaders of the 700 series, which use a Kubota V2403 engine, the 760i features the new Kohler direct injection engine from engine manufacturer Kohler Engines. The KDI engine generates 42 kW, or 57 hp, and is fully compliant with Tier IV final emission regulations, he states.

He argues, however, that the higher cost of Tier IV engine technology, owing to the significant investment in research and development required to meet the mandatory regulations, is soon recovered with lower own-and-operate costs.

The 760i achieves fuel savings of up to 20%, with extended service intervals and increased loader productivity, owing to lower engine revo- lutions per minute than the other models in the 700 series.

Aucamp adds that maximum torque is reached from an almost idle position in the compact model, which is 3 080 mm in length and 1 400 mm in width.

Also on display at BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA was Avant’s South Africa-developed flameproof loader, specifically designed for underground mining.

In addition, Avant’s new remote-controlled machine, designed and developed in South Africa – which can also be flameproofed – was on show.

Aucamp tells Engineering News that the company noted a positive response at this year’s event from industry as a whole. While visitor numbers were lower than expected, he says that, surprisingly, sub-Saharan Africa miners were enthusiastic and visitors to the company’s stand showed particular interest in the remote-controlled and flameproof units.

These two purpose-built below-ground solutions were part of Avant’s plan to display a unique offering for below-ground articulated loaders.

Aucamp adds that Avant also displayed its well-established aboveground offering of multiple construction-related attachments.

Also launched at BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA 2015 were attachments for Avant’s loaders, including a rock drill, a 100 t jack, a rock cutter, a rock breaker 230, a screening bucket and 220 V and 380 V generator sets.

“With multiple attachments to offer, Avant is in a unique position to offer a number of mining- and construction-related solutions,” Aucamp says.

Other machines on display were Avant’s 420, 520 and 635 configurations, which feature construction-specific attachments, such as the newly designed concrete mixer, bucket brooms and trencher, which can dig 900 mm × 300 mm trenches.

Along with the first compact articulated loader to be flameproofed for the South African mining industry, many visitors were also drawn to the possible capabilities of multi-attachment solutions, explains Aucamp.

He notes that, despite attendance being weaker than expected, the exhibits were nevertheless of a high standard.

Avant will attend the next expo in 2018, Aucamp concludes.