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| Transportation
-> Mining Trucks |
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House-sized mining trucks that can haul 360 tonnes (400 tons) of ore
in each load use thousands of pounds of copper. Copper is used in
the generators, motors, wire, and radiators of these Herculean vehicles.
There is 1,600 kilograms (3,575 pounds) of copper in the AC generators
and induction drive motors of each Liebherr model T282 hauler. The
drive motors, like all of the largest induction motors, are made with
copper rotors.
There is 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of copper wiring in each of Caterpillar's
Model 797 trucks. An additional 225 kilograms (500 pounds) of copper
in welding wire is used to weld the frames.
There is approximately 1,125 kilograms (2,500 pounds) of copper tube
and fins in the radiators of the largest mining trucks made by Terex.
The efficient radiators prevent the water-cooled diesel engines from
overheating. L&M Radiator, the radiator's manufacturer, also makes
radiators for Komatsu and Liebherr trucks.
Copper is also used in the air conditioning units in the operator
compartments of mining trucks. Other huge mining machines, such as
steam shovels, excavators, and conveyors, also require lots of copper
to perform their demanding jobs. |
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