Develon Offers Range of Three Articulated Dump Trucks

Develon, formerly Doosan Construction Equipment, now offers a range of three articulated dump trucks (ADTs), comprising the DA30-7 and DA45-7 6x6 models, complemented by a new 4x4 version of the DA45-7.  

Advertisement

The DA30-7 and DA45-7 6x6 models have payloads of 28 tonne and 41 tonne, respectively. The DA30-7 is powered by the Scania Stage V compliant DC09 9 litre diesel engine providing 276 kW (375 HP) of power. The DA45-7 is driven by the Scania Stage V DC13 13 litre diesel engine with an output of 368 kW (500 HP).

Also powered by the Scania Stage V DC13 13 litre diesel engine with an output of 360 kW (483 HP), the 4x4 version of the DA45-7 ADT is intended to compete with rigid dump trucks (RDTs) in the 40-tonne class.

Best-in-Class Rough and Soft Terrain Performance

The DA30-7 and DA45-7 feature an articulation hinge positioned behind the turning ring to provide equal weight distribution to the front axle even during maximum steer articulation. This combined with a free-swinging rear tandem bogie ensures equal distribution of weight to each wheel and guarantees permanent 6-wheel contact and drive for equal power distribution and excellent performance particularly on difficult terrains such as soft ground, uneven surfaces, very steep slopes, tight turns or a combination of all of these difficult conditions.

Collectively, the forward turning point, the unique tandem bogie and the sloping rear frame results in ‘best in class’ rough and soft terrain capabilities. The unique body shape and sloping frame ensure equal load distribution on all the wheels making these machines the best haulers for soft terrain work. The design of the articulation also provides equal load distribution on the wheels on both the left and right hand side when turning, which is very important for the traction and stability of the machines.

Superior Performance in Difficult Conditions Compared to RDTs

In the new 4x4 ADT, the front truck and cab unit is the same as in the 6x6 models, with modifications being made on the rear dumper unit only. Featuring a ZF EP8-420 transmission, the 4x4 DA45-7 is a two-axle ADT with twin wheels at the rear, and with a dumper section similar to that on RDTs in the 40-tonne class.

As well as performing better in conditions that are tough for RDTs, the new 4x4 DA45-7 ADT has a width of less than 4 m to avoid the need for special transportation and offers a better turning radius than a comparable RDT. The shorter turning radius and the design of the rear dumper unit, which is more suited to carrying flat and heavy rocks, provide particular advantages in the mining and tunnelling industries.

The latter are growing markets for ADTs, and include pioneering, short-term mining projects, quarrying and contract mining industries, especially those in southern Africa, the UK and Australia. Construction and bulk earthmoving contractors involved in roads, dams, airports, landfills and development projects are also large users of ADTs. Together these areas make the ADT market a wide and varied one, thereby ensuring a large customer base.

Summarising the advantages:

• The 4x4 ADT can climb up bigger inclinations than equivalent RDTs

• The 4x4 ADT performs better than RDTs in wet and slippery conditions

• In heavy rain, RDTs may need to stop working - Develon’s 4x4 ADT does not

• Thanks to the short turning radius, the 4x4 ADT operates effectively on compact sites

• The two axle 4x4 ADT design causes less ground disturbance than 6x6 configurations