19 Volvo machines for SSMS
Construction consortium turns to Volvo construction equipment
Stefanutti Stocks Mining Services (SSMS) has placed an order for 19 brand new Volvo machines. This is the first time that this leading construction consortium will be making use of Volvo construction equipment.
The contract
The contract comprises the delivery of fifteen A40G dump trucks and four EC750 crawler excavators for a new open pit coal mining project outside Ermelo. The agreement also includes a 5 000-hour service contract from Babcock. The project has an estimated life span of eight years over which approximately 10,1-million tonnes of coal and 53,6-million bank cubic metres of waste material will be moved.
The client
Stefanutti Stocks is a leading multidisciplinary construction group operating across southern Africa, Africa and the Middle East. Their mining portfolio includes the design and construction of mine infrastructure, open pit mine design and scheduling, open pit mining, materials handling and tailings operations with the capability to construct the full spectrum of mine infrastructure. These capabilities are combined and used in the group’s Mining Services division as a turnkey (one-stop-shop) solution to differentiate themselves from their competitors in the offering to their mining clients. Stefanutti Stocks’ mining operations include drilling explorations, blasting and load and haul of the various material types, and the Volvo machines are needed to meet monthly production targets on the mine. The strong and durable Volvo A40G dumper trucks with their 39 000 kg payload will be used to transport the coal from the pit while the EC750D Volvo excavators with their increased bucket capacity and outstanding digging force will be utilised for loading the A40Gs.
The machines
The Volvo A40G articulated hauler is capable of loading, travelling, manoeuvring and dumping in the most efficient and safe way by utilising Volvo design features such as a unique steering system and load and dump break for directional stability, enhanced productivity and safety; beneficial body design and high tipping angle for efficient material ejection; and powerful hydraulics and precise dumping controls that ensure short cycle times and safety in all applications.
Volvo A40G features:
- Volvo CareTrack as standard
- differential locks providing 100% locking capability
- powerful brakes and retardation
- heavy-duty front and rear frames and maintenance-free rear suspension
- Volvo Care cab with ergonomically positioned controls
- easy service access
- an environmentally friendly and electronically controlled, powerful diesel engine
- and efficient cooling that lowers fuel consumption and noise
Volvo’s EC750D features a powerful D16 engine and electro hydraulic system delivering increased horsepower and fuel efficiency; constant high system pressure for greater digging force and reduced cycle times; robust parts and easy service access; a reinforced heavy-duty boom and arm built from high strength tensile steel; and purpose-built attachments to work in perfect harmony with the machine.
Standing out from the crowd
Mark Barrett, sales representative at our equipment division believes that Babcock’s competitive pricing and strong reputation of the Volvo brand, gave the company an edge over competitors. Strength, durability and developing products and services that increase productivity are all hallmarks of Volvo, a brand that has long been associated with low energy consumption, reduction of life cycle cost and ease of use.
“Price, reliability, after-market service, availability of spare parts and cost of spare parts all played a role in the final decision to purchase Volvo construction equipment from Babcock.” ~Freddie Strydom, Contracts Director - Stefanutti Stocks Mining Services