Team Caterpillar Begins Large Mining Truck Journey in India

Imagine an industrial workhorse as big as a 2-story building powering through mines across the world and delivering world class customer experience. That’s the kind of product we work on. Running at 60 kph with monstrous load carrying capacity starting from 155 ton, that’s Caterpillar’s Large Mining Truck!

Team Caterpillar recently completed its first LMT build at the Caterpillar India Private Ltd. (CIPL) facility. The build included fabrication, painting, assembly, and testing of machines. During this phase, engineers across Caterpillar’s Resource Industries Division geared up to complete the build successfully. The team also worked in-parallel with assembly line engineers and operators to ensure smooth installation of hydraulic lines, electrical harnesses, and all standard attachments. From designing the components to manufacturing them, the entire team has supported the build through the entire journey.

Major work was completed to localize machine components and receive them with the same quality from suppliers. Engineers collaborated with suppliers to source each component by considering all manufacturing practices & parameters. In addition, tools like Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) & Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (DFMEA) were utilized to ensure quality throughout the entire build process.

The ultimate success of this project was the outcome of the team's collaboration and their commitment to our customers. Despite global challenges faced in recent years, the team’s resiliency contributed to the successful LMT build in India. Soon, India-built LMTs will be seen hauling on the roads of mines globally.

At Caterpillar, an engineer’s work doesn’t halt with just designing the components based on the design parameters - they think holistically and understand the entire journey of the machine. From manufacturing, logistics, and assembly to production studies and field maintenance, all phases of the build must be considered to produce the best possible design to meet our customers’ expectations. Our engineers are always challenging themselves to deliver better, faster!

“It’s a proud moment for the team here in India to start building some of the world’s largest dump trucks not just to cater to growing domestic needs but also to emerging markets. These high productive machines are going to ensure that our customer gets the best product availability with world class quality in the region”. - Vivek Vanmeeganathan (Facility Manager, RIOP)

“I see this as an excellent opportunity for our engineers to be involved in the large mining truck journey for the global market. With Thiruvallur becoming a hub for some of the key mining trucks and LMT getting added to the product line, it provides a significant platform for our employees to work with cross-functional and cross-cultural teams.” - Prajeesh Sankaran (Engineering Manager, ICS)

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