The Freightliner Division of DaimlerChrysler South Africa (DCSA) has introduced the Western Star range of off-highway haul trucks to the South African mining industry. Western Star, a company acquired by Freightliner LLC in September 2001, specializes in logging, mining, oil-field and other severe duty trucks.

Johan Cloete, Divisional Manager for Freightliner said: “ We believe these heavy duty trucks are very well suited to South African mining operations and will be welcomed in a market that forms the backbone of the South African economy.
Cloete explained: “DCSA has embarked on this project because it was clear that there was a need in the South African mining and bulk earthworks industries, for a high speed heavy duty off-highway dump truck, capable of efficiently shifting large volumes of material over distances of 1.5 to 20km. Until now the only vehicles capable of performing this task were conventional on-highway trucks, which lack the durability and robustness required for off-highway service. The other option is to use an ADT (articulated dump truck) or traditional 4x2 mining dumper. Both these vehicles, particularly the ADT are however purpose designed for relatively short hauls, at speeds rarely exceeding 55km/h.

“ADTs were originally designed to cope with the mud, snow and rain of Europe and Scandanavia, while Southern Africa is a relatively hot and dry country. Thus it makes sense to employ a vehicle best suited to operation in 95% of prevailing conditions (hot and dry) rather than in 5% (mud and snow).”

The 4964SX 6x4 30US ton Dump Truck.

This vehicle is aimed at the smaller mining and bulk earth-works contractors who require a fast versatile vehicle that is suitable for short or long haul operation.
The high power to weight ratio of 6.9kw/ton GVM offers astonishing uphill performance when pulling out of excavations or operating in hilly country. Continuous cruise speeds of up to 80km/h are possible on good surfaces, even when fully laden. Custom specified gearing allows fully laden starts on inclines as steep as 1 in 3.

The 6964SX 6x4 40-ton Dump Truck.

This vehicle is aimed at the open cast mining and quarrying industries which require a dumper which is not only capable of withstanding arduous off-road operating conditions but is also fast when compared to traditional rigid or articulated mining trucks.
The high power to weight ratio and rigid frame configuration ensure that the vehicle is capable of travelling safely at speeds of up to 75km/h with no reduction in payload or limitations placed on distance traveled due to tyre design limitations.

Three crucial principals were kept foremost in the minds of the team that contributed towards the conceptualisation of these vehicles:

1. These vehicles first and foremost must be suited to the needs of the South African operator, who amongst other things requires a machine that is simple to operate, and easy to maintain.

2. The vehicle must also be highly cost effective in that it offers unsurpassed economy in terms of Rands per tonne of material moved. This is achieved by using the most fuel efficient engines available, fast cycle times, and low maintenance and repair costs.
3. The vehicle must be inherently safe, which has been achieved through the use of steering systems which handle well at high speed, but have in-built redundancy, should the engine stall or a hydraulic failure occur. In addition to this, excellent dynamic and service brake systems are employed which will safely and quickly stop a fully loaded vehicle from its 80km/h top speed. The service brake system also incorporates built in redundancy, allowing the vehicle to be safely brought to a stop with a dead engine.