Series 60 Repowers Cut Kyanite’s Costs

Repowered by Western Branch Diesel, Kyanite Mining Corporation’s Euclid haul trucks provide improved fuel efficiency.

At any given time Kyanite Mining Corporation (KMC) had eight Euclid R50 haul trucks operating on their site in Lynchburg, Virginia. They all loved their fuel a little too much. So when it came time to repower, KMC was looking for engines that enjoyed their fuel in moderation.

Repowered with Series 60 engines, KMC’s Euclid R50 haul trucks offer a whole lot of power from a little bit of fuel.

Jim Martin, territory manager of off-highway sales at Western Branch Diesel, in Roanoke, Virginia, knew that MTU Series 60 industrial engines were models of temperance. Western Branch had done Euclid R50 repowers for two other quarries and they had acquired some encouraging numbers. The older engines in these trucks were consuming 10 to 18 gallons per hour. The Series 60s that replaced them were in the 6 to 7 gph range.

Western Branch had also learned something about spec’ing their Series 60s. “We used Series 60 engines rated at 630 hp for those early repowers,” said Martin, “and the customer said that the trucks would spin their tires coming up out of the quarry  fully loaded.” The Series 60s that went into KMC’s trucks are rated for 585 hp and 1,850 foot-pounds of torque. Although the trucks still have plenty of power, that change resolved the wheelspin issue.

Kyanite is prized for its heat and corrosion resistance and low thermal conductivity, making it an ideal refractory material. Kyanite is used in foundries, kilns, brake shoes and other high- temperature applications. Its thermal properties also make it well suited for certain building materials, such as roofing and firewalls. Kyanite is typically a deep blue color; its name is derived from the Greek kyanos, which means “deep blue.” Less common colors are green, white, and gray.

KMC offers kyanite in several forms. Virginia Kyanite™ is processed to crystals of less than 1 millimeter in size. Virginia Mullite™ is produced by heating kyanite in a kiln. Applications for mullite are similar to those for kyanite. KMC also offers dimensioned stone slabs. With its thermal properties and striking coloration, kyanite makes beautiful countertops and back splashes. The concentration of kyanite in raw ore is about 1:4. KMC can process more than 150,000 tons of Kyanite each year.

“Kyanite Mining Corporation has been a family- owned and -operated business since 1948,” said Joe Jones, KMC’s purchasing manager. “We’re proud of our productivity, safety, and environmental stewardship. These Series 60 repowers fit right into our corporate culture of excellence.”