AN EXCEPTIONAL CABIN
To reduce operator’s fatigue, ETF put considerable effort into making the operator’s job easier. No more gear shifting, most of the functions of existing vehicle operation are automated. The result is a simple operation, just a steering wheel, a throttle and the brake/retard pedal have to be operated. This enables the operator to concentrate on driving only. Technical problems due to operator errors belonging to the past.
The cabin is the workplace of the operator. We understand the importance of a safe and comfortable cabin therefore we designed a very large cabin. The cabin is equipped with a modern climate control system. The cabin is pressurized to keep dust and fumes out.
To keep food and drinks cool, the cabin is also equipped with a small fridge.
The cabin has three suspended seats including main operator, an instructor and a trainee. All seats are equipped with safety belts and an in-seat ventilation system is supplied as standard in order to assure a good working environment even in tropical conditions. The latest sciences of ergonomics are applied throughout the cab interior.
The cabin complies to FOPS and ROPS.
The steering column can be tilted 50 degrees, the steering wheel is telescopically adjustable and the pedals can be raised by 200 mm. This gives optimum positioning for all operators irrespective of size.
Unbeatable visibility:
The view the operator has is unbeatable and best in class if not the whole industry, firstly because of the large windows in front and on both sides and secondly because of the centralized position of the cabin on the vehicle.
Side mirrors are replaced by cameras. A total of four cameras giving the operators the best visibility possible.
One camera for front view and two 'mirror' camera's on each side and one on the back are making sure that the driver can see completely around his vehicle and see other smaller mine vehicle like pick-up trucks without blind spots.
To avoid too many monitors, the cabin has only three, one left one right and one in the centre.
The left and right monitors are acting in the same way as normal side mirrors. The centre monitor has a very important duel function; firstly it’s used when the vehicle is reversing enabling the operator to see a clear unobstructed wide angle view of directly behind the truck, but just as importantly it also functions as an important vehicle positioning aid.
Left mirror camera Forward camera Right mirror camera
Total view complies with ISO 5006
Most current mines have a drive on the left, pass on the right policy allowing operators to position themselves in a conventional left sided cab over the front left wheel enabling them to judge the distance to the shoulder of the road.
As a result of the low mounted and centralized location the ETF cab provides one of the best all round and more to the point low angle visibility in the market. One drawback is that some operators might prefer to view the line the left wheel follows parallel to the road shoulder. In order to improve familiarization of the ETF seating and cab layout the reversing monitor is also linked to a sixth camera providing that all important left truck view at all times the truck is in forward motion.
ETF trucks are specifically designed to operate under extreme climate conditions, in the deserts of Australia to the Alberta oil sands. In order to make sure that the temperature does not influence the performance of the operator, the cabin is completely temperature insulated. Also the windows are of special design only seen in luxury cars. The windows are made of insulated laminated glass. A special shatter resistance film is applied inside the second layer of glass which greatly reduces the transmission of infra red heat and ultra violet radiation from the sun.
The temperature insulation and the special glazing also contributing to the low sound levels inside the cabin improving the comfort level considerably.
Windscreen wiper system
Safety and operators comfort has very much to do with line of sight, in order to provide this ETF equipped the cabin with an enhanced wiper/ wash system. During day and night and under all weather conditions the windscreens have to be clean. The following measures were taken:
• The upper front screen is equipped with a pendulum wiper system
• The bottom front screen is equipped with two pantograph systems
• Both the upper side screens are equipped with a pantograph system
• All wiper blades have the same length of 810 mm
The operator is protected from heat, cold as well as noise and always has good all-round visibility under all weather conditions. The best conditions for optimal performance and safety.
