Cat’s 777G can be retrofit to become a 76,000-litre water truck. Image: Cat
Cat has delivered its solution to efficient dust control with the new 777G Water Solutions truck, implementing a proprietary Water Delivery System (WDS) and MineStar Edge technology.
The 777G is a recognition by Cat that haul-road dust can plague operations if not dealt with effectively to improve vision and water usage.
Using the WDS, the 777G varies its water flow depending on truck speed to ensure a safe middle ground between underwatering and overwatering.
The truck comes standard with a 76,000 litre water tank, fitted with spray system, splash guards, fill chute and rock ejectors.
Despite the heft of the water tank, the 777G’s adaptive economy mode allows the engine to use up to 13 per cent less fuel than full-power mode, while the water cannon can further reduce fuel consumption by up to half as it operates at engine-idle speed.
Driver and mine safety are considered with remote tank fill control, auto shut-off to prevent overfilling and auto shut-off when the tank becomes empty
In this way, operators can remain safe in their cabins while the 777G refills, while pump maintenance is kept to a minimum as dry running is avoided.
Using Cat’s MineStar Edge technology, site supervisors can monitor the progress and efficiency of their water trucks to ensure production targets are met.
The technology is capable of reporting truck location and utilisation, fuel and water levels, water distribution volume, area covered, and flow rates.
The water truck capabilities are able to be retrofit to existing Cat 777G haul trucks and all water truck components are eligible for coverage by Cat’s equipment protection plans (EPP) and customer value agreements (CVA).