Metso recently delivered its 100th rubber-lined Metso Truck Body to a mine in Finland. The customer, already using Metso bodies on their CAT and Komatsu trucks, has reported impressive performance improvements, similar to other customers globally. The Metso Truck Body has proven effective in addressing key haulage challenges such as high fuel consumption, excessive maintenance, and elevated noise levels during truck loading.
A Blend of Rubber and Steel for Superior Performance
The Metso Truck Body is the result of innovative design and engineering, combining the benefits of rubber and steel. It features a unique modular rubber lining system developed from years of research and testing in hard rock mining. By combining lightweight, high-strength steel with durable rubber, it delivers unmatched advantages over traditional and OEM truck bodies.
Enhanced Sustainability
The truck body’s rubber lining significantly reduces maintenance needs. Thanks to its modular design, worn components can be replaced quickly and easily, minimizing downtime and extending the lifespan of parts. This not only saves time and resources but also reduces the environmental impact associated with frequent repairs and spare parts production.
Fuel Efficiency Gains
Fuel costs can account for a major portion of operating expenses in quarries, with haulage often responsible for more than half of these costs. The lightweight design of the Metso Truck Body maximizes payload while minimizing fuel consumption per ton hauled. Additionally, less fuel is required on empty return trips due to the lighter weight of the truck body.
Improved Work Environment
Studies have demonstrated a 50% reduction in noise levels when using Metso’s rubber-lined bodies on CAT 775G dump trucks, contributing to a safer and quieter work environment. The rubber lining also dampens vibrations by up to 97%, significantly enhancing driver comfort and reducing the impact on local wildlife.
Customer Case: Boosting Payload from 58 to 66 Tons
A leading European limestone company aimed to increase productivity by optimizing truck usage and maximizing payload. By installing a rubber-lined Metso Truck Body on their Komatsu HD605-8 truck, the company successfully increased payload capacity and improved operational efficiency.
Results
Once operators adapted to the increased payload, the company’s productivity rose from 58 to 66 tons per load. Additionally, the benefits extended to other areas:
- ≈ 11% improvement in fuel efficiency per ton hauled
- ≈ 15% reduction in total fuel consumption per ton
- ≈ 16% reduction in fuel consumption per ton-kilometer
- Reduced CO₂ emissions
- Noise level reductions of up to 25 dB
- Significant decreases in vibration levels
Metso’s rubber-lined truck bodies have set new standards in sustainability, efficiency, and operator comfort, driving improvements in quarry and mining operations worldwide.
