Keep Artics in Tip-Top Shape
Today’s articulated haulers have sophisticated
computer systems that continuously monitor nearly
every important operating function, including engine,
braking, transmission, and hydraulics — all while the
hauler is hard at work.
Keep
Artics in
Tip-Top Shape
Manufacturer design
and engineering
enhancements have
helped streamline
the daily service and
maintenance ritual of
articulated trucks.
by Richard Iddins
28
L
ess than a decade ago, completing the
many daily, weekly, and other periodically scheduled service and maintenance
rituals on articulated haulers was a
time-consuming, expensive, and, often, not-sooperator-friendly chore. But several recent design
and engineering innovations by manufacturers
are changing all that.
Service and maintenance regimens of todays’
articulated haulers can now be completed in a
more streamlined, less cumbersome, and not-asfrequent fashion compared to older models.
The resulting benefits for owners and operators are many; including less time spent attending to daily and weekly service tasks, increased
productivity, and reduced maintenance costs.
AGGREGATES MANAGER December 2012
Credit the computer …
and Tier 4
At the core of the reduced service and maintenance interval movement is our trusted friend
— the computer. Today’s articulated haulers have
sophisticated computer systems that continuously
monitor nearly every important operating function, including engine, braking, transmission, and
hydraulics — all while the hauler is hard at work.
The vast majority of the advancements made in
monitoring functionality can be attributed to
engine design enhancements that were necessary
to comply with Tier 3, Tier 4 interim, and Tier 4
Final requirements.
The day of the mechanical engine is gone.
With the onset of the Tier 3 engines, and, of