Hire and Rental News - August 2019

Engine repower milestone delivery supports Beyond Blue As part of a new technology roadmap operating in the Pilbara region of north Western Australia, Komatsu and Cummins have delivered the 100th MCRS repower engine module to their partner Rio Tinto. T he program has been operating since mid-2017, with Rio Tinto, Cummins and Komatsu working together to see Komatsu 830E and 930E haul trucks, including autonomous trucks, operating in the Pilbara, upgraded with the latest technology Cummins QSK60 MCRS Advantage Plus engines. The program is delivering savings in fuel efficiency, more engine horsepower and lower service costs, Glenn Swift, Komatsu’s GM Western Region said. “The new technology allows the engines to achieve higher horsepower with fewer turbochargers, while service life between repowers is predicted to be 36,000-40,000 hours, up from 28,000-36,000 hours, delivering lower life-cycle costs,” Glenn said. Rio Tinto Iron Ore General Manager Asset Management and Engineering Services, Heath Harnden said: “The productivity benefits delivered through this program would not have been possible without the ongoing support of Komatsu and Cummins’ technical and commercial teams.” According to Glenn, the project is a reflection of Komatsu’s philosophy of advancing through technology and continuous improvement the safety and operational efficiency of its product lines. “It demonstrates how we aim to continually support our customers with their specific and ever-changing requirements. “This highly successful project is testament to the approach and technical ability of key people from each company, working together initially to demonstrate their faith in the product capabilities, and which has been borne out by the results achieved so far,” Glenn said. “Working together, the three partner companies in this project are also facilitating additional resource requirements for the economy of WA – which in turn is helping generate additional jobs and job security.” According to Andrew Hardy, Komatsu’s Project Support Manager for Rio Tinto’s engine module program, the delivery of the 100th repower module is a significant milestone for a number of reasons. “Apart from being the 100th MCRS module delivered, the date of the installation, 27 May, is exactly 560 days since we delivered the first MCRS module in November 2017,” he said. “And from the installation of the first MCRS engine module, Rio Tinto’s dump trucks have been in service with this new engine configuration for more than 26,500 days cumulatively across the fleet, with the first truck being in service for 555 days as of 27 May, 2019, the day this 100th module is installed in the truck.” This year is also Cummins’ 100th anniversary, and to mark that milestone, this engine has serial number 9800100. Komatsu and Cummins celebrated the delivery of the 100th MCRS repower engine module in a ceremony that also saw the handover of $19,400 to mental health awareness organisation Beyond Blue. The celebration and Beyond Blue cheque handover ceremony took place at Komatsu’s Welshpool facility in Perth, where its mining equipment is prepared before transport to customers, and where parts and components are held and serviced. Dean Visaggio, Cummins Product Support Manager RTIO said his company’s support for the Beyond Blue fundraising initiative reflected its concern for the communities it worked in. “At Cummins we truly care about each other and the communities we work in, and we have a growing concern anxiety and depression is on the increase, especially in our industry with FIFO workforces and remote regional communities,” he said. “We applaud the work Beyond Blue has done in increasing the awareness of anxiety and depression, and in providing their services to assist those in need. “We are very grateful for Beyond Blue’s efforts, and in support of this charity Cummins has partnered together with Rio Tinto and Komatsu to assist with raising money for this great cause.” Since the engine module program began, all three companies have been supporting and fundraising for mental health support service, Beyond Blue. To celebrate the arrival of each engine to site, Rio Tinto, Komatsu and Cummins hosted BBQs to raise money for Beyond Blue. Coincidentally, the engines painted blue has supported the Beyond Blue fundraising efforts. “The fundraising for Beyond Blue is an integral part of what Komatsu, Rio Tinto and Cummins are doing together with this module program, so we thought it was an ideal opportunity to celebrate,” Andrew said. n Contact: 1300 566 287 or visit: www.komatsu.com.au Celebrating the delivery of the 100th MCRS repower engine module were representatives of project partners Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Komatsu and Cummins EARTHMOVING & MINI EQUIPMENT P58 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS AUGUST 2019