Underground Dodge Ram with Low-Emissions 175-hp Cummins Turbo Diesel Offers up to $18,000 Savings in Mine Ventilation Costs
COLUMBUS, Ind. (June 21, 2006) - Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI) today 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 an MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) approved engine for both coal and metal/non-metal mining. By offering a major reduction in emissions, the 5.9-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel will 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.
The Dodge Ram pickup is widely regarded as the workhorse of the underground mining industry, enabling miners and material to be moved quickly and safely in the underground entries which can often extend for many miles. Recognizing the importance of the vehicle to the industry, Cummins and Dodge worked closely with MSHA to ensure rapid testing and certification for the new 175-hp low-emissions rating.
"Air might be free, but ventilation has a cost to ensure a safe working environment," commented Todd Mysak, who heads up 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 ventilation equipment. With the 175-hp rating, emissions are reduced from 13,000 to 9,000 cfm. If you consider a modest fleet of ten Dodge Ram trucks equipped with the lower-emissions engine, this could translate into total fleet savings of between $160,000 to $180,000 a year in mine ventilation costs. The 175-hp rating offers an inherently safer, more reliable and productive route by reducing engine-out emissions rather than increasing the demands on mine ventilation."
The 175-hp low-emissions rating was achieved without resorting to any change of engine hardware from the standard 325-hp-rated Dodge Ram diesel engine. By utilizing duty cycle feedback from Ram trucks operating underground, the engine was electronically remapped and recalibrated with a lower-emissions profile - while, at the same time, retaining a power delivery ideally suited to mine speed limits and truck applications. 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.
High on the list of mine operator requirements for underground pickup trucks is the need for day in, day out engine dependability. And here, the Cummins Turbo Diesel scores highly. The inline 6-cylinder comes with 30 percent fewer parts than competitive V8 diesels which means there is less to go wrong.
Dodge Ram Upfitted For Deep Driving.
The Dodge Ram offers an upfit-friendly frame with the versatility and payload needed for performing essential underground mining roles such as personnel carrier, fuel truck, welding truck and other support applications. "Every day the Dodge Ram provides an invaluable transportation role at underground mines across North America while operating under the most severe conditions imaginable for a pickup truck," noted Joe Betar, a Dodge dealer specializing in underground mine truck applications.
"Our mining customers expect the highest levels of performance and durability from their equipment, so when they tell us that the Ram truck with the Cummins engine is bulletproof - we know it's an unbeatable combination for underground applications. 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," added Betar.
Beyond the specially rated MSHA-approved Cummins engine, the underground Dodge Ram can be equipped by trained upfitters with protection systems such as automatic fire suppression, wire shielding, marine grade fuel lines and thermal trip wires. Dual circuit breakers in the starting circuit, skid plates and driveshaft loops are also employed together with suspension enhancements and bodywork protection.
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 with the low-emissions rating by a Cummins- or Dodge-approved service technician.
About Cummins.
Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (USA), Cummins serves customers in more than 160 countries through its network of 550 company-owned and independent distributor facilities and more than 5,000 dealer locations. Cummins reported net income of $550 million on sales of $9.9 billion in 2005.
About Dodge.
As part of DaimlerChrysler, the world's leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles, Dodge continues to increase the breadth of its commercial products and offers a comprehensive array of vehicles and services designed with business customers in mind. With a market share of 7 percent, Dodge is Chrysler Group's best-selling brand and fifth-largest nameplate in the United States automotive market. In 2005, Dodge sold more than 1.4 million vehicles in the global market. In the highly competitive truck market, Dodge has a 16 percent market share.
