Tunneling & Underground Mining Solution Provider GHH Fahrzeuge Spreading Wings in India

"With over 5 decades of experience in providing underground mining and tunneling solutions, GHH Fahrzeuge GmbH, the leading manufacturer of LHDs and Articulated Dump Trucks is now spreading its wings in the emerging market of India," apprises Country Head, Mr. Rajeshwar Singh.



Being a member of the SK Group and partnered with Mine Master which offers a wide range of world-class equipment for drilling and bolding, GHH is well equipped and positioned to offer complete mining and tunneling solutions. Since 1964, GHH produces LHD's (Load-Haul-Dump technique) with articulated steering for the mining industry. Later on ADT-dumpers, Roof scalers, telescopic trucks and other special vehicles has been added to its product line for providing complete solutions to its customers in mining and tunneling industry. The company is, today, well equipped with most modern production and communication facilities to strengthen the market position through improved quality and faster reaction in all service aspects.


GHH's cutting edge vehicle designs is the result of its proximity to customers and its close eye on the demands of the mining and tunneling industry. According to Mr. Singh "Close contact to our customers is one of our strategic goals. Through constant observation of the market and dialogue with our customers, we know the demands and needs involved, and accordingly put this knowledge to do innovation to improve the performance of the machines. GHH, since inception, always focuses on offering high quality and maximum durability to results in minimum lifecycle cost. Moreover, it develops "high-tech" as well as "plain-tech" products in order to cope with the different demands of different customers concerning performance, maintainability and minimization of downtimes - in any case keeping operator safety as a prime concern in mining and tunnelling operations."

Highlighting GHH product range, Mr. Singh informed about complete tailor made solutions that include:

• Compact Load Haul and Dump Vehicles (LHDs) with payloads from 3 to 20 tons
• Super Low Profile LHDs with payloads of 4 to 14 tons
• Electric LHDs with cables up to 350 m and payloads up to 20 tons
• Dump Trucks with payloads up to 60 tons
• Drilling and Bolting Rigs
• Special Vehicles such as Roof Scalers, telescopic Dump Trucks
• Total solutions including operator and full service packages

Expatiating on the subject, he says, "Our Plain technology vehicles are optimized for aggressive and basic conditions, and are easy to service and maintain. These have maximized durability, minimized electronics and high spare part availability globally. While on the other hand, the High-tech vehicles are maximized for efficiency and optimized for the highest performance standards. They are focused on ergonomics, minimum lifecycle cost and the lowest emissions. The backbone of our high-tech product line is the Efficient Drive System (EDS). This hydrostatic driveline is unique for underground use and features the following advantages such as:

• Fully flexible power distribution: Higher breakout force, increased tramming speeds…
• Computerized drivetrain control: improved traction, implementation of highest safety and ergonomic standards, optimized efficiencies, less tire wear, no brake wear…
• No torque converter: lower oil temperatures, up to 20% less fuel consumption, reduced emissions,…

He further explains, "LHDs designed by GHH especially for confined spaces and low headroom is equipped with features like a sidewise positioned driver's cab, which ensures safety and allows the vehicle to be driven both forwards and backwards. Moreover, GHH is committed to manufacture environmentally sound vehicles coupled with compact and efficient design. This is notable in the fact that its LHDs are powered by electricity, so that underground environments are not filled with smoke and engine fumes. Apart from these, GHH offer the options of Buckets in different sizes and shapes including ejector, side tipping or bottom discharge buckets, wear protection, in all of its LHDs besides many more distinguish features."

Moving ahead, Mr. Singh avers, "All products of GHH Fahrzeuge GmbH are developed and manufactured according to the international quality standards. Continuous quality control ensures to comply with these requirements at manufacturing up to commissioning at customer's site. The quality certificate DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 issued by an independent institute, guarantees this strategy. The use of standardized components combined with proven technical solutions result in products fulfilling customers' requirements in availability and efficiency completely.

On being asked about offering customized solution, Mr. Singh says, "For special applications, we are able to offer a wide range of custom made vehicles. When customers need a robust design combined with articulated steering and compact dimensions – GHH can provide solutions. We believe that our customers need not only machines but also total solutions. Hence, to better understand different markets and offer prompt response, GHH is constantly creating subsidiaries or partnerships throughout the world."

Ensuring that its products have a maximum life span, GHH offers an array of support services to its customers that include timely spare parts supply, technical documentation on CD ROM, online spare parts availability and ordering, and long-term service assistance. Besides, it offers technical service including engineering resources for modifications, rebuilds and updates. Apart from these, it also provides comprehensive training of operators and maintenance personnel.

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Singh says, to ensure that GHH really carry its customers' loads, it offers full service packages that include high availability, economical operation, safety for the operator, good serviceability and environmental compatibility, in almost every region of the world. In India, it delivered 10 articulated dump trucks of 35 tons to Leighton India Contractor in 2012 and now looking forward to sell its products for other infrastructure projects in the country.

Dump Trucks – Optimize Cycle Times Minimize Down Times

GHH Fahrzeuge's range of dumpers includes payload capacities from 15 to 60 tons. The articulated steering in combination with the swivel joint / king pin achieves excellent four wheel traction under extreme operating conditions. Furthermore GHH dump trucks include the following advantages:

• Excellent stability through constant ground contact of all wheels
• Maximum frame life due to robust design
• Low profile design and outstanding visual conditions plus minimized turning radiuses
• Bi-directional driver seat and cabin. No turning necessary
• Simple maintenance and easy access
• Boxes: different sizes and shapes including telescopic discharge, wear protection
• Cabin: open or closed, heated and/or air conditioned, video systems, mp3 player, …
• Steering and controls: lever, wheel or joystick steering
• Exhaust treatment: catalyst, exhaust gas cleaning, soot particle filter
• Other: (automated) fire extinguishers, central lubrication, aggressive water protection …
• Further customization upon request