Pit & Quarry, February 2010

H A U L I N G Fuller 8LL transmission is a common truck spec but he suggested an 18 speed transmission for larger and heavier trucks The 8LL gives you two low gears for startability off road and enough top end range for the highway Lindgren said But if you are hauling over 90000 lbs you should consider an 18 speed because you get much closer splits from bottom to top The typical dump truck uses rear axles rated at 46000 lbs This covers most trucks from 14 16 cu yd solo dumps through combinations up to 110000 gross combination weight Lindgren says the rear axle ratios should be matched with the transmission so that engine speed is around 1600 rpm at highway speed He recommends side to side differential locks for traction Another thing to remember for operating off road is air filtration Many drivers love the look of dual polished external air cleaners and these provide excellent filtration with low air restriction But they are quite expensive compared with under hood air cleaners If you are price conscious go with an under hood filter but remember that you will have to replace the filter elements as many as seven times as often as with dual 15 in breathers A little money spent up front on a better air cleaner is cheap compared to a dusted engine Weight watching If you are hauling many loads per day cutting vehicle weight can be profitable You can slim down by specifying components wheels air tanks and clutch housings in aluminum rather than steel Use the smallest fuel tank you can get away with Lindgren said Some operators can get away with a 56 gal tank but most will need at least 75 to 90 gal to get through a day You can also save valuable pounds by choosing the right suspension The difference can be as high as 400 lbs Lindgren said of the different suspension options To avoid hauling around extra steel in the vehicle frame have the dealer work with a an application engineer so you get enough frame only where you need it You will typically need an extra strong cross member at the back of the cab to strengthen the hoist mounting area If you are planning to add lift axles later make sure the dealer adds that information to the order so the frame can be prepared for them But remember that many of these weight savers will cost more up front You will need to balance that against the gains you expect to make hauling more payload Finally examine driver performance considerations To get the best turn performance and road feel from steering Lindgren recommends dual small gears rather than a large single steering gear The dual system will also last longer than a single system Try to spec as much glass area as possible and you want plenty of mirrors Lindgren suggests picking low cost replacement windshields when they are available Most vocational fleets replace at least one windshield side per truck per year Two piece f lat glass windshields with roped in seals can be replaced in half an hour for a total cost of under a hundred dollars This can save thousands of dollars over the life of the truck WEIGH WHILE YOU LIFT LOADLOG 800i LOADLOG 8000i LOADLOG 500 LOADER SCALE FEATURES Load on the go no stopping the machine or bucket Advanced weighing mode for accuracy Live last bucket Target loads and auto bucket add Printing option LL8000i and LL500 Data logging to built in SD card model 8000i only See us at AGG1 Booth 2421 Learn more by visiting www loupelectronics com or calling 877 489 LOUP 5687 GLENN MILLER CONSULTING GEOLOGIST 800 USA 3981 517 223 7100 Aggregate Reserves Evaluation Mining Plans Restoration Forensic Geology 30 years of practical applications 50 PIT QUARRY February 2010 www pitandquarry com