At the hauler edge 

With the launch of its new generation articulated haulers, Volvo CE has once again demonstrated its commitment to delivering cutting-edge, safe, efficient and productive solutions to the global mining, quarrying and construction sites. The seven-model line-up represents a compete revamp of the already proven A25, A30, A35, A40, A45 and A60 models – with the major talking point being the introduction of a completely new class size machine, the 45-tonne (t) A50, which fills the gap between the 42-t A45 and the 55-t A60.

Melker Jenberg, President of Volvo CE, says the unveiling of the new range represents the company’s “biggest and boldest” articulated hauler launch since it pioneered the concept with the 1966 launch of the world’s first articulated dump truck, dubbed as ‘Gravel Charlie’. The arrival of the new range further strengthens Volvo CE’s product lead in the segment, while broadening the model line-up with the addition of the A50 to cover more applications.

“For nearly 60 years, we have been leading the way with our range of articulated haulers and now with the launch of this seven-model range, which includes an entirely new model, we prove that there are no limits to our capacity for innovation,” says Melker. “Our customers expect a first-class product when they get into any of our haulers, but that experience has just got even better with a host of cutting-edge features designed with our customers in mind.”

The updated models are planned for stepwise introduction to international markets. In southern Africa, Babcock, the Volvo dealer in the region, is due to bring in the first units in the near future (estimated arrival May/June 2025). According to David Vaughan, MD of Babcock’s Equipment business, the updated A35, A40, A45 and the all-new A50, will be the first models to arrive, before the rollout of A30 and the A60 at a later stage (dates to be confirmed).

Largest update

The new generation Volvo J-series, which replaces the proven G-Series, contains the largest updates in 20+ years. Pre Trozell, product manager in Sales Region Europe and International at Volvo CE, says the updated models mark a significant technological leap forward thanks to innovations such as the new electronic system and an in-house developed transmission, delivering fuel efficiency improvements of up to 15% depending on model and industrial application.

A host of new features guarantees maximum productivity across the most challenging projects in quarrying, mining, construction and more. With its ability to identify and remember any slippery road segments, the Volvo drivetrain with Terrain Memory ensures superb fuel efficiency without compromising on power. Automatic drive combinations, with 100% differential locks and all-terrain bogie and hydro-mechanical steering, also combine to provide unmatched traction, stability and precision control.

In addition, Volvo Dynamic Drive – with its predictive gear selection – adapts to operating conditions. The downhill speed control function and industry-leading braking systems further enhance efficiency, safety and comfort.

The updated range has been engineered for durability thanks to features such as reinforced axles capable of withstanding heavy loads and high torque, resulting in superior stability and strength. Safety is also a priority, with new harness anchor points in the cab which meet WorkSafeBC and OSHA regulations, withstanding up to 22kN of force.

With simplified servicing, longer change intervals and easy component access, servicing is now quicker and easier than ever before, maximising uptime and reducing costs. Industry-leading greasing intervals of 250 hours also eliminate the need for daily or weekly greasing, boosting productivity and reducing downtime. What is more, Volvo articulated haulers are said to require less fluid volume compared to the competition, benefitting the environment and reducing operating costs.

Smarter solutions

Customers can boost the performance of their articulated haulers even further with the addition of solutions such as Haul Assist with On-Board Weighing. Powered by Volvo Co-Pilot, it provides real-time payload data to prevent overloading and minimise carryback, which not only maximises productivity but also reduces fuel consumption and machine wear.

Traffic flow, vehicle performance and on-site logistics can also be improved with the support of digital and advisory tools such as Connected Map, Performance Indicator and Site Optimisation, while the CareTrack telematics system is designed to help boost machine uptime and reduce repair costs.

Not just a machine for today, the new generation of Volvo articulated haulers is future-enabled thanks to a new software architecture which allows customers to adapt to changing needs and seamlessly incorporate future upgrades and new smart solutions. This ensures that their equipment stays up-to-date with cutting-edge technology.

Operator to the fore

Already regarded as the operator’s machine of choice, Volvo CE’s updated articulated haulers take operator comfort to a whole new level, thanks to the new cab with a modern styling. The new cab, designed from ground up, gives more space to the operator for superior comfort, leading to higher productivity over the full operating cycle.

Premium comfort and ease of operation are assured by the addition of adjustable seats, Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports and storage solutions, as well as an ergonomic gear lever and a noise-reducing cab design. The redesigned steering system reduces steering effort by 25% compared with the previous G-Series.

The interactive, integrated Volvo Co-Pilot display offers easy control over essential functions such as media, camera settings, climate control, and machine status. This is combined with the dynamic instrument cluster, positioned in front of the steering wheel, which provides crucial vehicle data at a glance.

Major highlight

The major highlight of Volvo CE’s articulated hauler launch is the introduction of the all-new A50 model, which expands customer opportunities in the demanding hauler segment. The addition underscores Volvo CE’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its customers by enhancing operational capabilities and offering more choices.

A key feature on the new A50 is the fully hydraulic suspension concept. Pioneered by Volvo CE in 2007, the full suspension has proved to be a reliable system for the toughest of driving conditions. The A50 takes the concept to new heights as the only full suspension machine of its size class on the market. As a result, it offers a significant improvement in cycle times, an increase in hauler production per operator-hour and lower costs when compared to its standard suspension counterparts.

Volvo CE’s full suspension reduces vibration, noise and shocks, which can help prevent repetitive strain injuries to operators. A smoother ride on the hauler and road can reduce unnecessary maintenance costs.

As part of the new generation update of Volvo articulated haulers, the A50 enjoys all the same great features and benefits. Most notably, it delivers unrivalled efficiency thanks to the new in-house-developed Volvo transmission that works in harmony with the rest of the Volvo engine to ensure maximum fuel efficiency.

With its 45-t payload, the all-new A50 delivers 10% more productivity and 8% greater fuel-efficiency when compared to the previous generation A45GFS – making it an ideal solution for high-production quarries, mines and large construction sites.

For the A50, service costs are reduced by up to 6% over 12 000 hours of operation due to simplified servicing, longer change intervals and easy component access.

A sustainable approach

Developed to be among the most fuel-efficient hauling solutions on the market, the new models have also been built with a focus on sustainability. As part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions across every area of its business, Volvo CE is for the first time implementing in serial production, low carbon emission steel in all its articulated haulers built in Braås, Sweden.

Conventional steel is a heavy emitter – and as one of the main components in Volvo CE’s products, critical to reducing carbon emissions. Steel makes up approximately 60% of Volvo articulated haulers’ total mass and accounts for more than 50% of the machine’s total carbon footprint in the cradle-to-gate scope.

As part of the sustainable transformation, Volvo CE was the first in the world to showcase in 2021, a concept hauler built using pilot deliveries of fossil-free steel, one type of carbon emission-reduced steel. This took place in partnership with Swedish steel manufacturer, SSAB. The following year, Volvo CE became the first company to hand over to a customer a construction machine built using this fossil-free steel, demonstrating the fast-tracking of innovation to real-world solutions as companies across the value chain come together to drive change.

And now Volvo CE has entered the next phase of its continued exploration into low carbon materials by implementing low carbon emission steel into the serial production of its full range of articulated haulers at its Braås factory.

While the two steel alternatives are produced with close to zero fossil carbon emissions, with production powered by fossil-free electricity and biogas, the key difference is that the fossil-free version is based on iron ore, whereas the low carbon emission steel is produced using recycled steel.

Rickard Alm, Head of Volvo CE’s Life Cycle Assessment programme, says: “We are proud to lead the way in the industry and move forward towards minimising our climate footprint across the entire lifecycle of our products. While emissions from product use represent the vast majority of carbon output in our industry, it is important to also act to cut emissions in the production phase, including materials such as steel, in close collaboration with our global supply partners.”

In the initial phase, around 13% of the total mass of steel in all articulated haulers manufactured in Braås is now replaced with the low carbon emission steel – a number that is set to increase as availability of the low carbon material is augmented in collaboration with the company’s supply chain.

With this change, Volvo CE is able to reduce the total CO₂ emissions by around 13 000 t annually, or over 5%, in the cradle to gate scope. As an example, for an A40, this represents a reduction of nearly 6 t CO₂ emissions.

No stranger to pioneering new ways of working for the benefit of the environment, Volvo CE Braås was also recently the first of the company’s facilities to reach Climate Efficient Site status. As early as 2014, it became the company’s first carbon-neutral premises, as well as the first construction equipment production facility in the world to be powered entirely by renewable energy.

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