This post is included in the #TeamChallenge series about Belarus from #TeamBelarus.
All posts of our team are available by the link: #TeamBelarus, Blue-Eyed Belarus, the Country Under White Wings
Every year, on the last Sunday of September, Belarus traditionally celebrates the Engineering Day. This day is the only day of the year when everyone is free to visit one of the largest plants in the world and the only producer of mining equipment in the CIS, BELAZ (Belarusian Automobile Plant), proud of Belarus (paid exursions exist for the rest of the time).
This year the holiday fell on September 28th.
Since my son is a fan of cars and my husband is from Zhodina, of course this year we visited the Open Day at the BELAZ not for the first time.
Large-scale and spectacular - this is how you can describe such exhibition.
About three and a half dozen machines with a carrying capacity from 30 tons to 450 tons were presented here.
The most impressive sample is a dump truck BELAZ 75710 by the height of a three-story house, in the engine compartment of which you can freely enter and stand at full height. The 75710 can carry a 450 ton load.
This truck entered the Guinness Book of Records twice. So, the Belarusian dump truck became the record holder as the largest two-axle dump truck in the world, in addition, its body got into the Book of Records as the largest dump truck body.
Each tire of this dump truck weighs approximately 5300 kg, 900 of which are metal components.
5600 liters is the total volume of two gas tanks of this machine, and they will be enough for the shift. Fuel consumption is 1300 liters per 100 km, so transporting the ore from a quarry will literally require powerful injections. Add to this 890 liters of coolant and 538 liters of engine oil and you will understand how insignificant the appetites of your own car are.
The price of such machine is about $ 8â9 million.
One more interesting sample is 5G BeCloud unmanned robotic mining dump truck 7513R having engine Stage 5 (lifting capacity 130 ton).
Unmanned dumpers can be controlled from the remote operator panel. With the help of it, one person can control several machines at once, and if one of the machines âasks for helpâ, then he can connect directly to it.
A similar technology for unmanned dumpres is used by two other companies producing mining equipment - Caterpillar and Komatsu. All of them develop in approximately the same direction. The main difference is that the rest only robotic heavy machines. The concern plans to make a completely unmanned quarry in which all the equipment will work without drivers. In the future, it is planned to develop fully unmanned BELAZ without a cabin.
There was a funny surprise for gamers.
BELAZ presented a dump truck in coloring from âWorld of Tanksâ. Special camouflage was applied to the model 755-85, the most popular car in the line with a carrying capacity of 90 tons.
The image was created by designers, and factory workers (by the way, active gamers) worked on painting. It took two weeks and 160 paint cans. The colors used - red, yellow and blue - imitate symbols on real headquarters maps, thus immersing the audience in the atmosphere of âtanksâ.
Unusual camouflage was developed specifically for the Tankerâs Day (September 15th). The model 755-85 is known all over the world. Now it will be associated with the most popular online game made in Belarus.
The fate of the tank dump truck is determined. During some time it will be exhibited at the factory. Here everyone can see it. Then the engine will go to Russia to work on one of the quarries.
By tradition, performances by professional artists, amateur groups and extreme sportsmen, and entertainment for children took place on the territory of the plant. A variety of souvenir products were prepared for the guests, and commemorative Belaz coins were made in an impromptu mint in front of the public.
Visitors could also see the plant workshops and the process of manufacturing of these giant machines.
In order to compete in the global market, it is necessary to constantly update the range of mining equipment, which the factory copes with well.
Throughout its history, BELAZ has shipped products to 80 countries, every year its equipment is delivered to more than thirty countries. A number of breakthrough projects are being implemented at BELAZ, which contribute to the development of new types of industries that strengthen the countryâs industrial and technological potential.
More photos you can see by the link:
