But for the last eight years, the TA400s
have been delivering reliable workshi s
despite the adverse conditions, clocking
up around 48,000 hours in total.
“A standard machine is safe to start
in ambient temperatures down to
-18°C. Prolonged use in temperatures
lower than this will require
supplementary uid heaters and
a careful selection of compliant uids
that have the correct speci cations and
viscosity index to work at such low
temperatures,” says Scott Pollock,
senior product manager at Terex
Trucks. “In the Russian mine our
customer has proven that our trucks
can work reliably at much lower
temperatures. ey have ensured that
there is a vital regular inspection and
maintenance programme in place to
maximise uptime and productivity.”
Once again, the proper functioning
of hydraulics is a key consideration,
with specially designed heaters
installed in tanks to ensure smooth
ow and operation. “ e hydraulic-
uid heating systems are third party
solutions veri ed by Terex Trucks,”
says Pollock. “ ese tend to be
powered externally by the mains
supply, suitable for the machines
destination i.e. 220V or 240V
systems. ese systems maintain an
ambient uid temperature when the
machine is parked, to ensure a safe
start-up temperature.”
e drivetrain must overcome
similar challenges. “Our drivetrain
extreme cold weather solutions are
generally approved by the engine or
transmission OEM. ese tend to be
powered by the truck’s electrical
systems on ignition. ey will pre-heat
the uid and will have thermostatic
control once at operating
temperature,” explains Pollock.
“Other local solutions are o en
used in extremely cold conditions
include engine radiator covers or
shutter systems that reduce the air ow
across the radiator core for rapid
coolant heat up that then in uences
the temperature of the other systems.
is type of system can promote fuel /
coolant heat exchangers where the
rapid heat up in the coolant is
transferred to the fuel system.”
All round, the TA400 dump trucks
– that o er a maximum payload of 38
metric tons – are proving themselves
transporting coal and overburden, for
up to 22 hours a day.
“ e robustness of the TA400 and
its ability to deliver a reliable
performance in tough conditions was
a big part of the reason why we chose
Terex Trucks haulers over other
brands,” says Dmitry Dulin, chief
engineer at the Arpatsky coal mine. iVT
FLUID POWER
BELOW: The Terex TA400
truck that braves -45°C
in a Russian mine
“THE HYDRAULICFLUID HEATING SYSTEMS MAINTAIN
AN AMBIENT FLUID TEMPERATURE WHEN THE
MACHINE IS PARKED, TO ENSURE A SAFE
STARTUP TEMPERATURE”
Scott Pollock, senior product manager, Terex Trucks
24 iVTInternational.com June 2020
/iVTInternational.com