Engineering & Factories

In order to better serve our mining customers and reinforce our commitment to the mining community, Hitachi has invested in several new factories near Hitachi-Naka port in Japan. One is devoted exclusively to large excavators and rigid-frame haul trucks. The Guelph, Ontario, truck plant (Euclid's manufacturing home for many years) has been newly refurbished to build the EH5000ACII truck.

To maintain Hitachi's leadership position in mining excavators, every component of each model is thoroughly engineered, tested, revised, and tested again. Only then is it allowed to go into the field as a pre-production model for a minimum of one year while Hitachi engineers constantly monitor all components for correctness in design functionality. If all components pass all tests, the model is introduced for sale. The new EX-6 Series is no different. Pre-production models have been operating at select mines throughout the world, in varying conditions. During that period, various components have been modified and tested again — so that the EX-6 model you buy really is not "new," it's the result of thousands of hours of rugged use.

Hitachi's signature body design is based on the heritage of thousands of Euclid models, many of which are still in use today with high availability numbers. Its exhaust-heated single-slope floor quickly sheds the stickiest clay and helps ensure a full load of new fill on each trip.

One of the most outstanding legacies of the thousands of Euclid trucks successfully performing throughout the world is the proprietary Accu-Trac suspension. The trailing-arm design, supported by Neocon-filled struts, is still the best front suspension offered on any truck. Energy from each bump and twist is transferred straight up into the strut. This accomplishes two things: Minimizes frame fatigue compared to competitive suspensions, and keeps the tires perpendicular to the ground to minimize tire wear. The rear struts are more vertical that the competition which allows the struts to take more of the impact which reduces frame stress under load. Neocon struts deliver superior stability, control and isolation over struts filled with hydrogen/oil or silicone.

Hitachi has been at the forefront of both GTO and IGBT propulsion technology for over 30 years. Our GTO and IGBT systems have powered Japan's famous bullet trains for years, as well as similar trains throughout the world. Now, this expertise has been channeled into two of our most popular AC-drive haul trucks – the EH3500ACII and the EH4000ACII.