In countries such as Canada or Russia, where temperatures regularly plummet to -35ºC, machines also feel the cold too, and can suffer serious damage if not properly protected against the chill.
With the help of Webasto, the first kit, labelled the Winter Kit, protects trucks working for prolonged periods where temperatures fall to -25ºC while the second, the Arctic Kit, enables safe operating in temperatures as low as -40ºC.
General practice in colder countries sees engines constantly running even during shift changes to keep fluids warm, prevent fatigue failures in the drivetrain, and seal leaks. Recognised as inefficient, the method of idling is one that is not only environmentally sub-optional but also costly to the end-user due to the needless fuel consumption.
Using the Webasto-supplied, truck-mounted Thermo-Heater, non-productive fuel consumption, engine wear-and-tear and prolonged downtime are said to be significantly reduced. The new technology makes use of an environment-friendly start-stop system, with just a very small trickle of diesel.
The Thermo-Heater is powered once the engine is shut down. It then draws the coolant from the engine and circulates it around critical components. The engine-independent heater has the ability to keep the machine at a pre-determined warmer temperature for hours after the motor is switched off, and will restart without a hitch.
In its standard deliverable configuration, a Terex Trucks’ rigid hauler is designed to safely operate in conditions down to -18 degrees Celsius but with the added help from the state-of-the-art heating systems, the trucks will be much more effective in extreme temperatures.
Fitted at the Motherwell factory in Scotland, the protection kits will be available on the TR45, TR60, TR70 and the 91tonne capacity TR100. The solutions can also be retrofitted on older machines and are covered on the Terex Trucks protection warranty.
