Electrified and Conventional Construction Machinery for the Extractive Industry

Volvo CE presents material handling systems for mining and quarrying at Steinexpo, including rigid haulers and electric powertrains.  www.volvoce.com From September 2 to 6, 2026, Volvo Construction Equipment is presenting heavy-duty equipment approaches at the Steinexpo in Nieder-Ofleiden on a 1,600-square-meter exhibition stand (Stand A40). The exhibition includes combustion and electric construction machinery, as well as digital fleet management systems designed specifically for material handling in mining and quarrying applications. Rigid Haulers and Crawler Excavators for Heavy-Duty Operations Manufactured at the Motherwell plant in Scotland, the R60 rigid hauler is being shown on the German market for the first time. The machine is equipped with a Stage V engine and offers a payload of 55 tons with a body volume of 36 cubic meters. The V-shaped body geometry is designed for rapid material discharge, while electronic systems such as Volvo Dynamic Shift Control and Eco Shift Mode regulate fuel consumption through optimized gear shifts. The cabin meets ROPS/FOPS safety standards to protect operators from falling rocks. Alongside this, the EC560 crawler excavator expands the portfolio of large machines for rock extraction. The equipment is designed for high engine power, traction, and increased swing torque, and will be available in Germany starting in 2027. These static exhibits are supplemented by the L260 wheel loader in the HD rehandler configuration and an FH semitrailer from Volvo Trucks. Powertrain Optimization and Kinematic Performance In the demonstration area, the loading capacity of the L350H wheel loader is demonstrated in combination with the A50 articulated hauler. The L350H features a modified powertrain with reinforced axles and a transmission optimized for heavy loads. The integration of the third generation of OptiShift technology aims to reduce fuel consumption by dynamically adapting torque transfer to the load during work cycles. The EC750E crawler excavator completes the setup for heavy earthmoving, providing the necessary breakout force for unblasted rock. Electrification of Material Handling Equipment in the Extractive Industry The integration of alternative drives into the construction machinery sector is represented by the L120 Electric wheel loader, the A40 Electric hauler, and the EWR150 Electric wheeled excavator. The A40 Electric articulated hauler has been in series production since the summer of 2026, maintaining the chassis traction and off-road capability of the conventional diesel variants. The fully electric machines deliver a locally emission-free operation, which is particularly required in closed pits, tunneling, or under strict noise protection regulations to minimize respiratory exposure for personnel. Digital Networking and Telemetry-Based Fleet Management The hardware systems are complemented by the Site Solutions portfolio, which includes applications such as Site Operations, Load Ticket, and Site Simulation. The Volvo Site Operations software aggregates telemetry data from mixed machine fleets to calculate production rates and analyze operational processes. The data stream provides management with real-time information to control loading cycles and reduce idling times. "Steinexpo is an important platform for us and our dealers to show our customers in the extractive industry our large construction machines, our developments in the electric sector, and our portfolio of digital services," states Frank Schmitt, Commercial Manager Germany at Volvo CE. Additional Context This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original product announcement In the 55-ton rigid hauler segment for mining, the Volvo R60 competes with established machines such as the Komatsu HD465-8 and the Caterpillar 773G. The Caterpillar 773G offers a nominal payload of 56 tons and a body volume of 35.2 cubic meters, while the Komatsu HD465-8 achieves a payload of 55 tons with a volume of 34.2 cubic meters. The 36-cubic-meter body volume implemented by Volvo offers a volumetric advantage when transporting rock with lower bulk density. Regarding electronic transmission control, Volvo's algorithms perform a similar function to Caterpillar's Advanced Productivity Electronic Control Strategy (APECS) system by minimizing traction losses on inclines through automated gear shifts under load. In the area of fully electric articulated haulers in the 40-ton class, the Volvo A40 Electric is among the first series models, as other manufacturers currently rely primarily on diesel-electric hybrid systems for this weight class. Edited by Maria Brueva, Induportals editor – adapted by AI. www.volvoce.com Powered by Induportals Media Publishing