www.chinatrucks.com: Rio Tinto is now utilising Chinese-manufactured 230 ton dump trucks powered by German MTU engines in its Pilbara iron ore mining operations.

Last year it was announced that China-based Xiangtan Electric Manufacturing Corporation (XEMC) had shipped four SF33901 mine dump trucks to the Pilbara region in Australia. All the 230 t trucks, purchased by Rio Tinto and recently put into service at Mount Tom Price, are powered by the MTU 16V 4000 C11 mining engine provided to XEMC by MTU Hong Kong, a Tognum Group subsidiary.

MTU states: “This world-class propulsion package was specifically requested by Rio Tinto for its iron ore mining operations in the Pilbara because of its best-in-class fuel efficiency and great reliability.”

The MTU 16V 4000 C11 mining engine produces 2300 bhp (1,715 kW), and comes with many features that enable it to operate reliably and efficiently in the harshest of mining conditions.  (MTU is an engine building subsidiary of Germany’s Tognum Group.  MTU – originally Motoren und Turbinen Union GmbH – has been building engines for over 100 years).

These features include common rail fuel injection, double-walled fuel lines, carbon scraper pistons and oil system security filters. In addition, the engine’s class-leading fuel economy is enhanced by an efficient oil cooling system, which optimises oil temperature. “The working conditions in the Pilbara may be the toughest in the world, with extremely high temperatures and a challenging natural environment,” said Neil Coney, general manager for Fleet Strategy & Delivery, Rio Tinto.

“Obviously, the trucks we use on site must be able to withstand such harsh conditions and deliver the best fuel economy possible. Because our reliability and fuel economy standards are very high, we insisted on the MTU Series 4000 engine for each truck. It was amazing to see XEMC produce four trucks that can meet our strict requirements within one year.”

“As mine operators continue to tackle the issue of rising fuel costs, we continue to work with our OEM partners to deliver the most robust and efficient mining equipment available,” said Scott Woodruff, Director of Global Mining Sales, Tognum America.

“Our focus on customer requirements enables us to provide MTU mining engines that perform at the highest level in any environment.” The MTU engines in Rio Tinto’s new XEMC mine trucks in the Pilbara will be serviced and supported by MTU Detroit Diesel Australia, the exclusive distributor and service provider of MTU engines in Australia.

Source : Internet

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