Machine simulations

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GANTRY: Crane simulators, such as this were introduced at DP World ports last year.

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BOUNCY: The cab plinth is mounted on robotically controlled hydraulics.

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TRAINING: There are now several simulations on the market.

Of course, from my point of view, trying to keep a fifty tonne machine in line while aquaplaning down a circular pit road was more of a challenge. Stop signs, of which there are several in this pit, also proved to be tricky. The truck sits as high as the tallest villa, and the little signs are lost under the bumper.

Of course, not stopping at the right place could have disastrous consequences even for a trainee driver on a quiet day, so it is well that they appear on the simulation as they do on the ground.

Before long, my machine reaches the simulated front-end shovel, a perfect recreation of a Terex 1000, and it is clear that I'm going to have to perform a three-point turn and reverse the truck beneath the dipper. Looking over your shoulder doesn't help when reversing one of these things - there is no visibility. Instead you have to rely on the mirrors, which require extremely good eyesight, even though on this simulation it is suddenly broad daylight.

By more luck than judgment, The truck found the right spot, and the ‘shovel' began loading in several passes. The simulator shakes when the load is put on, while an in-cab scale, which the client who commissioned this particular piece of software had fitted to his fleet, tells you how loaded it is.

Blowout

Driving to the crusher, the road is noticeably rougher, in order to educate trainees about driving on the right part of the road to maximize tyre life. To emphasise the point, one of the tyres bursts, resulting in a fire of choking black smoke, and necessitating a sudden stop. This is obviously not a situation you could encounter in a physical training situation, but Stewart says that training operators' on fuel and tyre-efficient driving alone can save the rental cost of a simulator.

After dumping the load and parking the truck, I am presented with a generated report which detailed the incidents during my twelve-minute drive. All of my brake, transmission, horn and speed related errors are detailed on it, with reference to the time and where I was on the track. It is clear that I'm not much of a haul-truck driver, though no damage or downtime has been incurred proving this point.

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