Terex boost for Pioneer

Construction materials producer and supplier The Pioneer Group, whose fleet of dump trucks has been struggling to maintain production targets, has recently invested in Terex's latest dump truck and boosted returns.

To restore and attain the limestone quarry's production capability Pioneer has replaced a 27- tonne dump truck with Terex's latest 36-tonne capacity machine, the Terex 3340.

The new Terex 3340 is running in tandem with another 36-tonner, both on long-term contract rental from rental group Hydrex.

Commenting on his new arrival, quarry operations manager Paul Jones said: "The new Terex 3340, working alongside a similar-sized dump truck, gives us a balanced fleet and with the quarry faces moving further away from the crushers the 3340 has enabled us to maintain production levels."

Pioneer's new Terex 3340, with its 24m3 capacity body heaped at 2:1, is loaded with blasted limestone at the face by a Cat 350 backhoe. The fully laden machine, which is working on single shifts 55 hours per week, is hauling around 60 loads per day up a 1:8 incline on a one-mile round trip from the face to the quarry's Baxter single toggle crusher.

Asked about the machine's particular attractions Jones commented: "I especially like the improvements in the braking system and the move to using oil immersed disc brakes. The truck retards extremely well so there is an increased safety element for the operators.

"I also like the Terex's proven and established Cummins engine."

The machine, which now boasts a more spacious cab, is powered by a 363kW Cummins CTA19-C turbocharged and aftercooled four-cycle diesel engine driving through a six forward and two reverse speed Allison CLT-5963 ATEC automatic transmission.

For Pioneer's purposes the rear axle's standard differential has been changed for the optional higher ratio unit. The changeover has enabled the machine to reach its reduced top speed of 48km/h fully laden on the quarry's long gradient.

Pioneer's Aberduna Quarry spent several weeks evaluating different manufacturers' 40 US ton class dumptrucks and worked closely with Hydrex before choosing to long-term hire the Terex 3340.

Under the terms of its long-term contract, Hydrex supplies full maintenance back-up.