Mining companies want giant haul trucks to carry 500 tons. Today's threshold is 400 tons, and the biggest limitation is the availability of massive tires and engines. Cummins has the second part covered: The company plans to build a new 4,000-horsepower diesel in Seymour, Ind., by 2015.
The new QSK95 powerplant "moves Cummins into a significantly higher power class, and we know that many of our customers have been eagerly anticipating us making that move," says Mark Levett, vice president and general manager of Cummins' high-horsepower business. The 95-liter mill, in 16 cylinders, is the first in a range of diesel and natural-gas engines that Cummins plans to roll out in V-12, V-16 and V-20 configurations, with outputs of up to 5,000 hp.