What Maintenance Measures Keep Haul Trucks In Peak Condition In Mining?

In the mining industry, these kinds of trucks are the work horse of the operation. These behemoths haul tons of material over rugged and unforgiving terrain. Their continuous operation under harsh conditions causes rapid degradation. 

Without proper care, they shatter, losing time and money. So, upkeep is a necessity. It makes these trucks reliable, safe and efficient. Mining companies have no time for downtime. 

Each minute wasted is another on the production line lost. This is why a solid haul truck maintenance program is so important. Here are the best ways to ensure haul trucks continue to deliver peak performance every day.

Keeping Small Problems In Check With Daily Inspections

The first line of defense is daily checks. This requires that operators look over the truck before each shift. They search for leaks, cracks or loose bolts. Tires get special attention.

 The bald or under-inflated tire can experience a blowout. You should also keep an eye on fluid levels — engine oil, coolant and hydraulic fluid, as applicable — as they’re equally important.

You’ll also want to make sure that the brakes, lights and the steering work properly. If anything feels weird, it goes in right away.” It helps find small errors quickly. It saves time and money in the long run to fix them before they become larger. 

Routine inspections typically require only minutes a day. But they protect against large failures that could shut down operations for days. Also, there are safety checks for the operator. 

A broken-down truck is a danger to everyone. By incorporating this routine into the workday, companies are also safeguarding their people and equipment. It’s a small action with a big payoff.

Pre-Planned Maintenance Increases Lifetime Of Equipment

In addition to daily checks, the haul trucks also require routine maintenance. Hourly or mileage-based scheduled stops occur. Then, of course, there’s a full inspection by a team of mechanics. 

They swap out worn parts, change oil and filters, clean out crucial systems.

Engines get a thorough check. The transmission, cooling system and hydraulic circuits do, too. Even electrical wiring and sensors are put to the test. With scheduled service, you know what you’re going to get. 

The truck continues to run well because issues are addressed before they fail. These services can also help trucks to original warranty terms. Skipping them usually forfeits the coverage.  

Lubes For Stopping Metal Wear 

There are a lot of things going on with a mining truck. With insufficient lubrication, these parts rub against each other. Which leads to heat, friction, and wear. Grease and oil prevent this from occurring. A consistent lubrication plan is critical to the longevity of the truck’s joints, pins, bearings and axles.

It has lots of nipples and need to be greased for both the operator or technician depending on the usage. Some, there are spot treatments to apply daily. Others may go a few days. But even one missing point can lead to quick wear. You also want to use the proper lubricant. Each section requires a different grade to be able to work well.

You can also have too much lubrication. It creates pressure, it wrecks seals. Which is why only professionally-trained staff should do the job. They use charts that list types of grease and timing.

Instrumentation Advances Toward Predictive Maintenance

Intelligent heavy haul trucking with smart tool technology innovative technology is integrated in modern haul trucks. These trucks have sensors to keep real-time track of parts. They monitor engine load and fluid pressure and temperature and more. The system alerts when readings fall outside safe limits.

It allows teams to predict failures before they occur. For instance, if a bearing begins to overheat, the system is aware. Technicians can repair it before it fails. This technique is known as predictive maintenance. It’s faster and cheaper than failure.\n

Truck data is stored over time in digital dashboards. From this history trends emerge. Perhaps one pump consistently fails after 3,000 hours. In that situation it can be replaced early the next time. This approach is cost-effective and eliminates downtime. It also keeps workers safer.

Conclusion

It’s tough going for haul trucks in mining. But they last for years with good care. Daily inspections allow early trouble to be caught. Scheduled services repair what time wears out. 

Lubrication is what lets all parts move the way they should. And predictive tools allow teams to intervene before damage occurs. These four steps combine to create a great maintenance strategy. 

They save money, they protect workers and they keep mining on schedule. Without them, downtime becomes rampant, and profits decline. In mining, every hour counts. So, there is no denying the critical need to keep haul trucks in tip-top shape.