The Hitachi AH400 articulated dump truck is a tough but classy machine, RON HORNER says. In this video he puts one through its paces in a difficult, muddy Queensland clay pit.
“Located within this site were a lot of sediment basins which needed reconstructing,” Ron says. “This meant a serious and dedicated approach was needed to remove over 12,000 cubic metres of mud
“This Hitachi handled everything that could be thrown at it on this project. The in-dam conditions were horrendous, with oozy and sloppy mud.”
So what were Ron’s highlights? First off, the DaimlerChrysler OM 501 LA 12-litre turbo diesel engine delivering a gross 422 horsepower (315kW) and the “brilliant” Allison HD 4560R auto transmission with an integral retarder.
Then there was the comfortable and quiet ROPS/FOPS cabin (which comes as standard), a fully integrated fire suppression system, multiple E-stops, real-time weight information, a limp-home feature for when the truck is overloaded, and the automatic tailgates, which Ron says “are invaluable as they minimise the spilling of wet material”.
But wait, there’s more! Watch the video above and click here for Ron’s full review.
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