Evidently, in Norway there is an issue with dump trucks outgrowing the country’s public roads. This is way haulage contractor Per A Øren AS of Høyanger, a small municipality in west Norway, has bought three new Scania 6x6 G500 construction trucks to do the traditional work of ADTs. These truck have been fitted with extra-large wheels and Allison 4500 Series transmissions with retarders.
Lasse Øren, head of the construction department at Per A Øren AS, explains: “In the past, we had many dumpers in the company, but when they became too large to run on public roads, we needed to find alternatives. Stangeland, which is a much larger colleague in the industry, had the same problems that they had solved together with Scania. We got to see their new Scania 6x6 G500 with extra-large wheels at a vehicle fair a few years ago and thought it would suit us too.”
To date, Per A Øren has ordered three of these trucks, which are able to perform the same task as the existing dump trucks. Interest among other haulers is high, the company says, and it often receives enquiries about its new construction trucks.
“You can almost talk about this as a trend,” Lasse Øren says. “I see many advantages, especially that they can run on public roads. They are cheaper than dumpers both to purchase and to operate. They have high ground clearance and are quicker to load and unload. The fully automatic transmission from Allison means that the startability with full load on a steep hill is absolutely superb. Fuel consumption is lower and maintenance costs on the transmission are minimal. It is really only planned service stops for the change of oil and oil filters that need to be done.”
The G500 has also been tested with standard, as opposed to extra-large wheels, on one of the trucks. “It works perfectly well and provides road features like any other construction truck,” says Øren.
The new trucks are the first in the history of the company that are equipped with Allison's fully automatic transmissions; the remainder of the fleet is fitted with automated manual transmissions.
“We are very pleased with how the transmissions work. They are very reliable and change gear smoothly and nicely. Although the driver comfort in modern dumpers has become much better, it still has a long way to go to match our new Scanias,” Øren says.
“We have just got a new assignment where these construction trucks will fit perfectly. I wouldn't be surprised if we invest in another couple within a year,” he adds.
[All images © Per A Øren.]
