Building on a legacy of trusted performance, the new 400-tonne-class Cat 6040 next-generation hydraulic mining shovel is designed to help customers address these challenges through productivity-enhancing features, durability upgrades and system improvements that increase efficiency.
The new design integrates more standard technologies, such as Cat Payload, which measures every bucket load to help customers consistently achieve target truck payloads without overloading or underloading, boosting load-haul cycle efficiency.
“Customers are looking for ways to move more material without increasing fuel consumption or downtime,” said Nils Feddern, senior product consultant, Hydraulic Mining Shovels, Caterpillar.
“With the new 6040 design, we focused on delivering high breakout forces and fast swing cycles while at the same time increasing fuel efficiency through hydraulic optimization. Similar to the next-generation 6060, the new 6040 integrates proven Cat electronics infrastructure to help enhance performance and reliability, while a common design helps streamline maintenance and reduce downtime.”
Built for efficiency
To help customers reduce fuel consumption and extend component life, Hydraulic Optimization for the 6040 features variable, on-demand hydraulic oil flow to reduce excess heat, conserve energy and prolong component life. It is up to 15% more efficient than shovels without it, noted the OEM.
The 6040 is powered by twin new Cat C32B engines with 1,550-kW (2,079-hp) output that enable shovel operation or the ability to move the shovel off the face under the power of one engine. When equipped with the optional oil change interval extension attachment, maintenance downtime is reduced through engine oil exchange intervals increasing from 500 to 1,000 hours.
The new 6040 also features high breakout forces – 1201 kN (269,996 lbf) in face shovel configuration and 1123 kN (252,460 lbf) with backhoe – to prevent bucket stall when encountering tough materials, improving productivity. Its closed-loop swing system delivers fast cycle times and improves energy efficiency. “One of the first things our field-follow machine operators comment on is the shovel’s power and swing speed,” noted Feddern.
Operator comfort and safety
To support safer, more comfortable operation and faster operator training, the new cab includes a floor window to provide clear views of the tracks and 40% overall greater visibility of digging and loading areas. Offering low, 68 dBA interior operating sound levels, the new cab design features a new air conditioning system, ergonomic joystick controls and left-side-mounted monitoring and diagnostic tower complete with 10-inch touchscreen, live sensor monitoring, and visual and acoustic fault warnings.
Standard Vision 360 integrates four camera views on the in-cab touchscreen display to give the operator a 360-degree surround view of the shovel, reducing blind spots and repositioning, and increasing safe operation. A new 45-degree hydraulically operated access stairway provides safe ingress and egress to the cab and features emergency lowering to ensure operation even when the engines are shut off.