Kano Kousan takes delivery of first new Volvo A45 haulers

Kano Kousan has taken delivery of Japan's first two new-generation Volvo A45 articulated haulers. Dealer Daiichi Toyo supplied the machines for use at the company's quarry in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

The haulers are operating at Kano Kousan's aggregates site in Shunan City, moving raw stone, overburden and finished aggregates across uneven ground. The latest A45 has a higher payload than the previous model, with capacity increasing to 42 tonnes from 41 tonnes.

The order offers an early sign of demand in Japan for updated quarry transport equipment as operators look to raise output while containing running costs. At Kano Kousan, the haulers have been introduced to a site with steep slopes, mud and rough rock surfaces.

Okayama City-based Daiichi Toyo delivered the units and is also providing after-sales support for the fleet, including servicing and Volvo parts.

Daiichi Toyo Chairman Shuji Kinoshita said the quarry operator needed dependable output from its hauling equipment. "Kano Kousan needs to keep its operations running efficiently," he said. "The new-generation Volvo A45 haulers give the company the confidence and capacity it needs for tough terrain, and the machines are already proving themselves as key workhorses on site."

Payload increase

One of the main changes in the revised model is the inclusion of Haul Assist with On-board Weighing as standard. The system is designed to help operators track loading in real time and reduce underloading, overloading and carry-back, all of which can affect material movement and fuel use in quarry operations.

Kinoshita said the customer had already seen gains from the switch. "With the new A45 haulers, Kano Kousan saw a substantial increase in productivity. The company was able to move more material in fewer trips, while the On-board Weighing is a valuable tool for preventing under- or overloading and carry-back," he said. "The customer also reported consuming less fuel, and operators commented on how easy and comfortable the machines are to operate even on the roughest terrain."

The updated A45 also introduces a new transmission system and a Volvo D16J engine. Volvo said the driveline changes are paired with reinforced axles, a combination intended to improve durability and reliability in hard-hauling conditions, where machines are under constant stress from heavy loads and uneven surfaces.

Quarry conditions

Articulated haulers are central to quarry logistics because they move large volumes of blasted rock and processed material between extraction faces, stockpiles and crushing equipment. At sites such as Kano Kousan's, machine stability and traction matter as much as carrying capacity because haul roads can change quickly with rain, mud and loose stone.

The A45 uses a 6x6 drive system with Automatic Traction Control, which adjusts to changing ground conditions. Downhill Speed Control is also standard, helping operators maintain control when descending slopes with full loads.

Tyre configuration is another practical issue in quarries with soft ground, where heavy vehicles risk losing momentum or sinking into wet sections of the haul route. Volvo said the A45's extra-wide, high-flotation tyres are intended to spread the machine's weight more effectively and support travel across weaker surfaces.

Safety focus

Operator safety and fatigue are also central concerns in quarry fleets, where long shifts and poor visibility can raise risk levels. The latest A45 cab is designed to reduce noise and vibration, while an integrated camera system is intended to improve visibility around the machine and limit blind spots.

At Kano Kousan, daily operating routines already place heavy emphasis on inspection and upkeep. According to details released about the site, pre-shift and post-shift checks are standard practice, with camera lenses and work lights cleaned regularly to maintain visibility in dusty and muddy conditions.

The focus on maintenance reflects the broader economics of aggregates production, where downtime in one part of the transport chain can affect drilling, blasting, crushing and dispatch. Reliable haulage is especially important at sites that need continuous internal material movement to keep processing lines supplied.

Kinoshita said the customer's priorities remained centred on stable and safe output. "For Kano Kousan, the priority is to keep production moving safely and reliably every day," he said. "With the new-generation Volvo A45 haulers and the support of Daiichi Toyo, the company is well-equipped to keep improving its quarry operations."