Iron ore is the quarry for hugely expensive yellow giants that roam Europe’s largest opencast mine. Alexander Mann pilots one, a Japanese-made Komatsu HD 785
To reach his workplace in the Komatsu HD 785-7, Alexander Mann has to climb 14 steps. Only then can this 29-year-old Austrian make himself comfortable behind the wheel of the huge dump truck he drives in Europe’s largest opencast mine – Erzberg, in Austria.
His ‘supertruck’ is literally just that. Few other trucks driven in Europe are a patch on his Komatsu. The Japanese HD 785 Komatsu would be a coveted vehicle anywhere, with its 30-litre, 1178hp V12, a weight of 72 tonnes when empty and a 110-tonne payload.
Alex first drove a heavy-duty tipper in the iron ore mine – located in the state of Styria, southern Austria – in 2009. It was an older Komatsu model, an HD 985. Then just 22 years old, a lot of confidence had clearly been placed in Alex; one of these heavy duty trucks costs about €1 million (£890,000), and the job is dangerous.
Concentration required
The tiring routine is particularly challenging for the drivers when they travel over 100km at a maximum speed of 30km/h. Despite being equipped with the latest technology, plenty of concentration is still needed to guide these giants through the mine. A total weight of at least 200 tonnes will be bearing down on the retarders and brakes, to carry away the excess rock or ore-bearing rock to be crushed at the crushing mill after a blasting operation.
Styria is one of Austria’s most snow-capped areas and the roads in winter are often very slippery, despite the efficient snow-clearing, and the 11-metre long, seven-metre wide trucks have to be driven with precision when loading, tipping and turning.
Bu hikaye Truck & Driver dergisinin December 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Truck & Driver dergisinin December 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Well forked Daf
Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift
King of the hill
Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750
Time Machine 2015-2019
It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up
Original and best
There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420
GOING ALL THE WAY
Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet
Abnormal loads
In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals
Range change
After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie
Cutting a dash
Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update
Air we go!
On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance
A Cutt Above
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years
