Indonesia is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of coal – much of it coming from South Kalimantan. Among the many contractors in this area is PT Hillcon Jaya Sakti, which was established in 1995.
In November 2019, the company began work at a site on the small island of Sebuku and immediately contacted Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) for help. By January 2020, eight new Volvo R60D rigid trucks were commissioned to work alongside Hillcon’s existing 10 Volvo A40F articulated haulers in transporting overburden.
“Our primary reason for choosing the Volvo R60D was its best-in-class fuel efficiency and rim pull,” says Hersan, owner and CEO of PT Hillcon Jaya Sakti, who like many Indonesians only goes by one name. “Combined, these result in quicker cycle times and lower production cost.”
Since fuel is often customers’ number one operating cost, the Volvo R60D is designed to deliver the ultimate in fuel efficiency. The electronic integration between the engine and transmission achieves premium drivetrain performance with smooth gearshift quality and consistent machine momentum. At the same time, the load-sensing hydraulics supply maintain optimum flow to the hydraulics to eliminate any unnecessary losses from the powertrain.
“The machine feels powerful and is so easy to drive and manoeuvre,” says operator Zaki.
The high rim pull allows the Volvo R60D to tackle gradients with ease and maintain high speeds for faster cycle times and greater productivity.
“We may not have particularly high gradients on the site at the moment, but this is likely to change. By selecting machines that can easily cope with steep slopes, we future-proof our fleet,” Hersan explains.
In addition to the power and manoeuvrability of the Volvo R60D, operators at Hillcon appreciate the attention to safety. The FOPS-certified cab, protected by the ROPS body canopy, gives the operator a commanding view of the job site.
The standard Volvo Smart View feature, meanwhile, affords operators 360° visibility thanks to the three exterior-mounted camera views which combine to create a bird’s eye view of the machine, displayed on the on-board monitor.
This superior visibility helps operators stay in control of the machine and avoid safety risks for greater productivity.
A robust and reliable design combined with the support of Volvo CE’s local dealer PT Indotruck Utama (ITU) ensures Hillcon’s fleet of haulers is always ready to work – and earn. Since the machines work 22 hours per day in two shifts, seven days a week, producing an average of 454 tons of coal per hour, Hillcon cannot afford any unexpected downtime.
“So far there have been no significant issues with the machines and our production target of 60,000 tons of coal per month has been achieved,” says Siswandi, general manager for fleet operations at Hillcon. “The ITU team monitors unit performance and gives quick support. We’re very happy with it!”
Given the remoteness of the location, PT Indotruck Utama has even set up a workshop with parts consignments and a standby mechanic on site. This means that should an issue arise, Hillcon does not need to wait for a technician to drive 10 hours to the capital of South Kalimantan, Banjarmasin, and then cross the strait.
“I really appreciate the support ITU and Volvo Indonesia has given our project right from the beginning – especially the continuing dealer aftermarket support, which is what we need now,” Hersan adds. “There is no point having efficient machines if they are not available to work. But the low fuel consumption, fast cycle times and productivity of the Volvo R60D rigid haulers, combined with the speedy support from ITU, means we are able to achieve our lowest cost per unit production.”
