As coal mine operations expand, haul distances to coal wash facilities can lengthen from two or three kilometers to upwards of 10 km. That’s when Mayfield Equipment PTY LTD, of Singleton, NSW, Australia, likes to specify Haulmax 3900 trucks, with their proven ability to operate off-road in soft underfoot and nearly all weather conditions.
Technology provides greater safety
With these trucks, Mayfield uses Product Link ™ with VisionLink® software that enables monitoring of the trucks from the office. In addition to providing standard data, it also provides alerts to any alarms or instances where the trucks could be damaged through improper operation. It sends an email alert so incorrect operation can be stopped.
Other technological developments on the trucks are the extra braking capacity and traction control. This provides greater operator confidence when hauling full loads and traveling downhill, especially in wet, slippery conditions. By having the two differentials on the truck, you have eight wheels driving the truck. That provides extra control for the operator.
Purchase method
The company uses a mixture of finance options when purchasing new equipment including Cat Financial. “Typically when we buy a new machine, we'll either do it on an operating lease or just a fixed lease over a fixed term,” King said.
King prefers a rent-to-purchase option over a six-month period, followed by purchase after six months, should the job continue. For long-term contracts, the equipment is purchased outright at the start of the contract using Cat Financial or another financial instrument.
“Cat Financial is good to work with,” said King. “We have a local representative that comes and meets with us in our office. The process and the documentation were not complicated and having the representative come to the office made it a lot easier. We’ve also had the opportunity to meet with the Australian Cat finance managers down in Melbourne and they were very approachable.
“The true benefit of using Cat Financial over other bank lenders is that they understand the business and the equipment’s resale value. So if you are asking for a finance product with a residual, they understand there is value in that equipment. The products they offer are flexible. We were able to go over the terms and they suited the contracts we were winning at the time. Be it a two- or three-year contract, they are willing to tailor the finance to suit our needs.”
Operator feedback
“The operators are very happy with the performance of the trucks. In particular, they like being able to continue working during the wet season and also the ride and comfort traveling over the longer distances. At the end of the shift, even though they may have only carried a dozen loads, it's a long day. But with the 3900s, they still have a bit of energy about them and they're happy with what they've done for the day,” said King.
These machines are engineered with access to the engine bay in mind. When you lift the hood, there are sturdy service platforms for the technicians to stand on to access the engine and other components. They're able to drop the oils and refill the tanks from ground level. King’s technicians like the service accessibility.
