Hitachi has released the latest generation of its D Series articulated dump trucks.
The newest incarnations, the MkVII generation, sees the B40D and B50D modesl fitted with new engines to provide increased power and better driveline.
According to Trevor Musliah, Hitachi subsidiary Bell Equipment’s ADT marketing manager, the B40D MkVII truck will be fitted with a 335kW engine, which will improve the power to weight ratio by 6,5 per cent.
This provides quicker acceleration and lower optimal rpm ranger, thereby reducing fuel burn during normal operations.
In tests, Hitachi says the B40D MkVII outperformed an unnamed competitor’s truck by six per cent, and also used 13 per cent less fuel.
Similarly, the B50D, which has a nine per cent power increase from 350kW to 380kW, has achieved significant fuel savings compared to competitor trucks working in a mining application.
Musilah said the "new MkVII is much faster and able to complete more cycles per hour due to its increased speed. In addition, operating engine rpm has been reduced by optimal tuning of the driveline".
The B40D has a net increase in power of 8.3 per cent, as well as reduced driveline drag.
This has been achieved through the introduction of a Bell designed Wet Disk Brake which has already been successfully incorporated into the B30D and B50D.
The brakes reduce driveline drag with a measured saving of 1.5kW per brake.
Cooling for the axle oil now takes place in the axle and not a separate cooler at the rear of the cab.
The brake system still has forced circulation, but now includes an inline filter on the B40D, which will improve service times and reduce oil change intervals.
According to Hitachi, the present oil change interval is 2000 hours.
Software changes have also been included.
The computer now intuitively changes to the correct gear based on the dynamics of what the operator is currently doing to allow for smoother gear changes and less ‘gear hunting’, the company stated.
The B40D has a payload capacity of 37 tonnes.
The B50D has a rated payload of 45.4 tonnes.