In smaller inflexible mining vans, Caterpillar and Komatsu lead in market share phrases, simply as they do in ultraclass, with fashions just like the 777/775 and HD785/HD685 however there are some actually good different choices which are rising in reputation, together with Volvo Development Tools and its inflexible haulers manufactured in Motherwell, Scotland.
The Volvo CE merchandise are additionally vital strategically at the moment, as Liebherr is not providing its T 236 100 ton diesel-electric truck; and Hitachi doesn’t provide the 100 ton EH1700 anymore. Chinese language OEMs are making inroads with inflexible fashions just like the XCMG XDR100 (91 t) XDE130 (120 t) and SANY SRT95C (95 t) however these are primarily at the moment nonetheless utilized in Chinese language owned or financed mines.
Volvo’s inflexible haulers are actually very nicely regarded by the main operators utilizing them – together with main mining contractors like PT Hasnur Riung Sinergi in Indonesia and Saudi Comedat in Saudi Arabia, US quarrying main Amrize, and copper miner First Quantum Minerals at its Trident operations in Zambia. The vans are provided and supported each by Volvo CE itself and by key Volvo sellers equivalent to Babcock Worldwide Africa, FAMCO UAE, PT Indotruck Utama and SMT Africa.
IM Editorial Director Paul Moore has had the possibility to rise up shut with all three primary fashions within the Volvo Development Tools inflexible haulers in 2026 – the 70 ton class R70 at CONEXPO-CONAGG in Las Vegas in March, plus the 60 ton class R60 and 105 ton (95 t) class R100 at Volvo Days 2026 in Eskilstuna, Sweden in early June.
In Sweden, Jim Moffat, Product Supervisor – Inflexible Haulers at Volvo Development Tools talked in regards to the elementary upsides of the corporate’s inflexible line-up. “Like several tools from Volvo CE, for the inflexible vans from the outset now we have been very focussed on security, productiveness and value of possession. Every thing that we’ve carried out or are doing on these machines is all about a number of than a kind of objects.”
IM Editorial Director Paul Moore with Jim Moffat, Product Supervisor – Inflexible Haulers at Volvo Development Tools at Volvo Days 2026 in Esklistuna, Sweden in entrance of the R60
One actually stand out function is the entry up into the ROPS/FOPS licensed cab through entrance going through and anti slip steps on either side as much as the highest platform – which is on the identical top because the cab ground. Eliminating a aspect ladder on a big machine like this was a daring transfer however an actual security enhancement, together with the railings that line the steps and platform all through.
The cab itself has the most effective fields of view for the operator and it is likely one of the most spacious cabs on this class of vans. Moffat: “The windscreen extends on the base to a low top to present it nice direct visibility. We additionally gave the truck bigger than standard mirrors, that are additionally properly positioned, to be able to see a lot better when you’re reversing; plus the rigids have a lot of reversing lights to boost evening operation security. The entrance LED lights present an excellent distance view as nicely.” Moffat additionally highlighted that the batteries for {the electrical} system are accessible at floor stage, in order that in the event that they needing charging or substitute, it’s simple to take them out.
He added: “Trying on the physique design, it offers a extremely massive goal for the excavator operator, permitting for quicker loading because of the massive floor space – it’s vast and lengthy and with low sideboards. The double V form of the ground centralises the primary load. This ease of loading can prevent just a few seconds on every load, which over the course of 24 hours all finally ends up counting and saving numerous value per tonne. The vans have a low centre of gravity to equally disperse all load impacts and structural stresses throughout the tyres.”
The highest of the physique has a 19 mm thick HARDOX plate which is there for added power. So for instance, if the bucket enamel catch it, or rocks are hitting it, it stays intact and undamaged for longer, lowering the quantity of downtime for repairs.
Moffat additionally stated that when it comes to buyer suggestions, efficiency is all the time very excessive in relation to availability particularly. Additionally the inflexible’s capability to deal with steeper haul roads – as with excessive drive axle multiplication, the Volvo inflexible haulers ship excessive ranges of rimpull.
The truck additionally has a transmission retarder, in addition to having an oil cooled disc brake retarder. The transmission retarder reduces the machine’s pace, eliminating any pointless use of the service brakes. Because of this, the lifetime of the first braking system is prolonged, enhancing total machine availability. It reduces put on on components and helps preserve the truck hydraulic system at a cooler temperature. The transmission retarder can even work on all 4 hubs, not simply the rear.
Adapting to various circumstances, Volvo Dynamic Shift Management delivers productive efficiency by means of a easy, constant trip and low gasoline consumption. This additionally incorporates Eco Shift Mode, which defaults to essentially the most environment friendly shift schedule when engaged on lighter functions. The auto-idle engine shutdown and non-compulsory gear delicate On-Board Weighing additional improve gasoline financial savings and scale back pointless engine put on. Machine management is enhanced by the impartial coast inhibitor, which protects the hauler in downhill operations.
Trying on the fashions themselves, the R60 is offered as a Tier 2 machine for much less regulated markets or as a Stage V machine. The R70 solely comes as a Stage V machine, and the R100, much like the R60, has Tier 2 and Stage V variants.
One other query with the R60 is the way it fares in competitors with articulated haulers, together with Volvo CE’s personal A60? Moffat: “If you’re taking a look at onerous rock mines and quarries with steep partitions, the vans take numerous punishment when it comes to circumstances and are sometimes working on longer shifts, so rigids are typically most well-liked. ADTs are sometimes used for mines that want numerous flexibility and have very delicate floor and moist circumstances. The rigids are very a lot geared toward shifting massive volumes at excessive speeds – although in fact which means there needs to be a give attention to nicely maintained haul roads. Rigids are additionally good from a long run upkeep viewpoint as you could have much less transferring components – one pushed axle reasonably than three pushed axles. In order that makes it a extra environment friendly machine, and likewise extra financial. The inflexible truck life is usually 60,000 to 65,000 hours, plus they’re typically rebuilt – the ADT life is sort of a bit much less.”
Over within the USA at CONEXPO-CONAGG, IM spoke to Rob Palermo, Product Supervisor Volvo Development Tools, in regards to the R70 – which he stated of the three fashions is at the moment the most important vendor within the North American market, versus globally the place the R100 would have the sting. He stated it is because this 70 ton class represents a candy spot for the large onerous rock quarrying sector within the US and Canada. Palermo’s feedback echoed Moffat’s when it comes to operators actually liking the cab visibility plus the choice to make use of both transmission retarder or disc brake retarder; and that excavator operators like Volvo inflexible vans because of its ease of loading.
