New 2700 kW-Engine for Mining Vehicles
Posted on April 02, 2001
MTU Friedrichshafen and Detroit Diesel Company (DDC) are preparing to introduce a new engine for mining vehicles. A 20-cylinder version of the 4000 series with 2700 kW (3670 PS) of power for trucks and 2200 kW (2992 PS) for excavators is now undergoing tests and will go into series production from October 2002.
- Market launch planned for late 2002 - Use in 400-ton earth-moving vehicles and large-capacity excavators
- Works to 3700 meters without any loss in performance
- The 2000 and 4000 series: tested in mining vehicles
Munich - MTU Friedrichshafen and Detroit Diesel Company (DDC) are preparing to introduce a new engine for mining vehicles. A 20-cylinder version of the 4000 series with 2700 kW (3670 PS) of power for trucks and 2200 kW (2992 PS) for excavators is now undergoing tests and will go into series production from October 2002. The 4000 series, introduced in 1996, was previously available as 8, 12 and 16 cylinder versions with 800 to 2000 kW (1088 to 2720 PS).
The 20V 4000 is for use in earth-moving vehicles in the 400 ton class and 500 ton excavators. The technical characteristics of this new engine give it the best starting position: a clear, transparently organized structure enables easy access and contributes substantially to the engine's reliability and endurance. The 20V 4000 only needs single-stage supercharging which is supplied by two high-power mtu turbochargers. And the engine merely needs one intercooler to ensure best operating conditions. The simple engine design also keeps maintenance costs to a minimum.
Works to 3700 meters without any loss in performance
The use of key technologies ensures that the 20V 4000 meets the challenges posed by mining operations. Its common rail system features an innovative injection system which enables all the significant parameters which affect combustion to be independently adjusted. This includes the time and duration of injection as well as the amount and the characteristic curve of the injection pressure. This is a decisive advantage when it comes to reducing fuel consumption while adhering to current and future emissions standards. In addition, the injection parameters are adapted to the varying environmental conditions of the engine by the electronic regulation provided by the common rail system. This means the engine can, for example, work at altitudes of up to 3,700 meters over sea level without any reduction in performance.
The engine was also optimized to ensure long operating life. Maintenance intervals, depending on the work involved, will range from 20,000 to 24,000 hours. An optional, automatic oil filter reduces the amount of routine maintenance work. Regarding environmental safety, the new engine is setting new standards. The 20V 4000 not only meets today's emissions standards, it even has the potential to meet future regulatory standards as well.
The 2000 and 4000 series: tested in mining vehicles
Last year, mtu and DDC together sold over 900 engines from the 2000 and 4000 series which was introduced four years ago. Recently, mtu was privileged to equip one of the largest mine excavators in the world with a 1600 kW, 16-cylinder engine from the 4000 series. The 390 ton Liebherr equipment, type R995, works in the open pit coal mine in Spain. Its size and capacity are designed to handle the enormous quantities of material moved in large mines. Its bucket holds 23 cubic meters, the equivalent of the volume of a spacious double garage. Because of its size and weight, this excavator was delivered to the mine in separate pieces and assembled at the mine. Another machine equipped with a 16V 4000 engine is one of the largest floating excavators in the world, also built by Liebherr. This excavator is able to dig trenches as deep as 26 meters.
However, most 2000 and 4000 series engines are built into earth-moving vehicles. One of the more recent projects in this segment is a prototype vehicle called the Supra R 0012 made by the Finnish mining machinery supplier Tamrock featuring a 900 kW, 16V-2000 engine which is being tested in Australia. The maneuverable 4-axle truck equipped with new steering technology can be used both in open-pit and shaft mining.
| Specs of the mtu 20V 4000 for use in mining vehicles | |
| Engine power: | 2700 kW (3670 PS) |
| Cylinder output: | 135 kW (186 PS) |
| Displacement per cylinder: | 4,49 Liter |
| Bore: | 165 mm |
| Stroke: | 210 mm |
| Nominal rpm: | 1800 min-1 |
| Dimensions: | 3750 x 1450 x 1615 mm (LxWxH) |
| Weight: | 9,5 t (incl. storage, dry) |
| Weight to power ratio: | 3,52 kg/kW |
| Fuel consumption: | 198 g/kWh (fully loaded and EPA) |
| Injection: | 2x ZR 205 by mtu |
| TBO: | 24.000 hours for earth-moving vehicles. 20.000 hrs. for excavators |
| Suspension: | 3-point-Trunion mounting |