Cummins Inc. recently released a 175-hp low-emissions Turbo Diesel engine rating specifically developed for Dodge Ram trucks used for underground mining applications. The Cummins-powered Dodge Ram is currently the only pickup truck produced in North America with a Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) approved engine for both coal and metal/non-metal mining, and can enable mine operators to reduce their annual expenditure on mine ventilation by $16,000 to $18,000 per year for each Dodge Ram vehicle in their fleet.
“Air might be free, but ventilation has a cost to ensure a safe working environment,” said Todd Mysak, head of Cummins underground mining business. “Ventilation air is delivered to the mine in sufficient quantity to dilute gaseous emissions below occupational limits. But every additional cfm (cubic feet per minute) of gaseous emissions adds between $4 to $4.50 per year in operational costs for the mine ventiliation equipment.”
According to Mysak, the 175-hp rating reduces emissions from 13,000 to 9,000 cfm, which, given a fleet of 10 Dodge Ram trucks, could potentially save $160,000 to $180,000 annually in mine ventilation costs.
Cummins and Dodge got the low-emissions rating by utilizing duty cycle feedback from Ram trucks operating underground, and electronically remapping and recalibrating the engine with a lower-emissions profile. The in-cylinder combustion formula of the engine could be modified in this way due to the injection flexibility of the High Pressure Common Rail fuel system and the precision control capability of the full-authority electronic management system.
“Now with reduced tailpipe emissions, the 175-hp rating offers much lower mine ventilation costs together with power delivery and torque characteristics specially developed for underground truck duty cycles,” noted Joe Betar, a Dodge dealer specializing in underground mine truck applications.
The 175-hp low-emissions engine will be available as the standard rating with all dodge Ram trucks specified for underground mining at all altitudes. Dodge Ram trucks currently in service with the Cummins Turbo Diesel engine dating back to model year 2004.5 can be recertified the low-emissions rating by a Cummins or Dodge-approved service technician.