Product News

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Australia)

AdvertiseVisit Website
Contact Details
Hitachi Construction Machinery (Australia)
51 Milperra Rd
Revesby NSW 2212
Tel: 02 9780 6900
Fax: 02 9780 6899

Supplier´s Website


Incorrect details?

Hitachi launches AC drive in rigid dump trucks




Hitachi Mining, a part of Hitachi Construction Machinery, has introduced AC drive in rigid dump trucks. The EH3500AC is powered by a Cummins 16-cylinder, QSK50 Tier II compliant turbo diesel, developing 1491kW at 1900rpm and driving through axle-mounted Hitachi AC traction drives.

Fully loaded, the EH3500 weighs 500 tonnes with a payload of 360+ tonnes. The truck is powered by two AC traction motors, which propels the gargantuan to a speed of over 55KPH. The motors also function as electric brakes bringing the 3.6 metre wheels to a safe stop without the use of mechanical brake pads.

AC drives start-off with a basic 6-7% higher efficiency over DC drives of comparable size, allowing faster travel speeds while reducing diesel fuel consumption.

Using the same drive concept as a diesel electric locomotive, the EH3500 AC’s 3500HP diesel engine powers an AC alternator. Constant voltage DC from this alternator is transformed by an inverter into variable frequency AC, which in turn supplies the two AC electric motors installed in the rear axle of the truck. The output frequency and voltage of the inverters are controlled to provide precise motor torque and speed.

In retard, the inverters generate electric power by slowing down the motors. Braking choppers, connected to the inverters, channel that power straight into a power resistor grid that continuously dissipates the energy until the truck reaches standstill. The smooth braking action is like driving a car, but without mechanical brake wear.

AC traction drives are the logical solution for today's higher payload and performance requirements

  • AC traction drives are better than DC drives
  • Their reliability has been proven in locomotive, excavator, and industrial drives
  • They meet high torque at low speed and high speed requirements
  • AC traction drives are virtually maintenance free
  • Higher AC drive efficiency reduces fuel/oil costs
  • Special control reduces brake, engine and tyre wear


The EH3500 is suitable for open-pit mining because of its compatibility with harsh Australian environment.


23-Jan-2008
More Articles

Related Articles

Power controllers available from Factory Intelligence (5-May-2008)
Factory Intelligence supplies solid state relays and power controllers suitable for industrial and manufacturing applications. ...

Electronic circuits from Computer Control Instrumentation (5-May-2008)
Computer Control Instrumentation specialises in deigning, manufacturing and maintenance of a wide range of electronic circuits. ...

Battery chargers and UPS from Tortech (2-May-2008)
Tortech offers balanced studio power supply, uninterruptible power supplies, battery chargers, line filters, power supplies, plug packs, inverters and switch mode transformers and surge and lightening mains filters. ...

Drives, inverters and soft starters from Factory Intelligence (2-May-2008)
Factory Intelligence distributes an extensive range of factory control systems including data loggers, drives, inverters, soft starters, instrumentation equipment and process controllers. ...

Outdoor garden transformers from Tortech (30-Apr-2008)
Tortech supplies garden transformers that are lightweight, energy efficient and waterproof. Garden transformers have a complete water proof fuse and are designed to eliminate electric shocks....

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Australia) News


Hitachi Zaxis 670 hydraulic excavator Hitachi Zaxis 670 hydraulic excavator used at Mole Creek quarry (16-Jan-2008)
Unimin, the operators of Mole Creek lime stone quarries, has taken delivery in late 2007 of its new Hitachi Zaxis 670 hydraulic excavator. ...

Artics, that’s for Shaw (18-Jul-2005)
Hitachi Construction Machinery (Aust) has delivered a fleet of three new 40t articulated dump trucks to Tasmanian-based Shaw Contracting for use at the Savage River iron ore mine....

The new range includes coolant and corrosion inhibitor. Coolant breakthrough with organic compound (15-Oct-2002)
HITACHI Construction Machinery has expanded its range of filtration and coolant products with the addition of the Donaldson Endurance organic long life coolant product range. Included in the range is the LLC 50-N anti-freeze, anti-boil coolant available as either a concentrate or pre-mixed....

News Sign up RSS Feed

Access over 2000 Manufacturing and Operations jobs online!