22 January 2015, 00:00
Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. (HCM) has unveiled the new EH1100-5 rigid dump truck at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show in Las Vegas. The new truck has been designed to offer a more comfortable and safer operating environment, easier access for service and maintenance, and higher levels of productivity than previous models. It also has several advanced technology features to satisfy the requirements of its European customers.
The enhanced cab now includes a 10-inch LCD monitor – similar to the one found on large Hitachi mining trucks and excavators – to provide the driver with information on hauling performance, systems updates, and electronic maintenance and troubleshooting. Visibility has been improved by moving the LCD monitor to the right of the steering column, allowing the dashboard to be lowered slightly. A mechanically hinged rail at the front of the cab can be positioned to provide the operator with optimum haul road visibility while the truck is in operation, or positioned to provide protection from falls when the cab area is being serviced. The rear-view camera display can also be shown on the LCD monitor.
Additional safety features include the cab’s redesigned ROPS structure – which meets the requirements for using the EH1100-5 as a water truck – and three-point seatbelts have been built into each type of seat. The operator’s exposure to noise has been significantly reduced by the use of soundproof material in the cab and exhaust system modifications.
Access to service points is easier on the EH1100-5 thanks to the relocation of several components. Steering and brake system valves and test ports have moved from the truck’s mid-frame to the service deck, for example. A number of parts can now be reached from ground level, such as the steering filter, two high-capacity 12V batteries, and the 24V relay box and circuit disconnect. Further improvements for maintenance include the use of two body prop pins instead of a single prop cable, and two diagonal stairways for easier access to the cab and service deck.
A choice of two high-performance Stage II-compliant engines is available to European customers. Both the MTU Series 2000 and Cummins QSK23 will provide high levels of productivity. The EH1100-5 also features the H6620A model automatic transmission offered by Allison, which provides enhanced shift quality, less shifting when empty and upgraded components with greater durability.
The new dump truck has been designed with a capacity of 41.5m3 and has a flat floor plate for greater control of the material shed while dumping. The nominal payload recommendation for the standard model is 63.5 tonnes.
To enhance the overall performance and safety of the EH1100-5, Hitachi redesigned the rear wet brakes to include an integral wet disc parking brake. During the redesign, Hitachi also added brake surface area to increase service braking and retarder horsepower.
Examples of the new dump truck’s advanced technology include a refined active traction control system for greater control of wheel spin in wet and muddy conditions. This results in improved haul cycle times and increased productivity. Hitachi engineers have also developed a transmission Optimum Shift Range to automatically alter the transmission range according to payload results provided by an on-board payload weighing system.
The EH1100-5 is equipped with a DLU (data logging unit) to allow remote monitoring of the truck via satellite, Wi-Fi and Wenco. Hitachi also offers a speed limit feature that automatically restricts the truck’s top speed to a limit set by the customer. This feature will automatically apply the retarder to control the set speed limit if it is exceeded while the truck is travelling downhill.
Specifications
Nominal payload with standard equipment 63.5 tonnes
Net machine weight 45,450kg
Target gross machine operating weight 108,950kg
Engines Cummins QSK23 or MTU 12V Series 2000
Gross engine power, kW/min-1 (HP/rpm) 567/2,100 (760/2,100)
Source: Red International Communication