Komatsu Picks Michelin Earthmover Management System

Oct. 29, 2019

The Michelin Earthmover Management System (MEMS) 4 is available as a factory-installed option on select trucks from Komatsu America Corp.

Komatsu’s 930E-5 mining truck will be the first available model with MEMS4 as an option; other models will follow. Komatsu will factory-install the MEMS4 transceiver, antennas and related harnesses. MEMS4 will be integrated with the existing electronic display panel. Michelin will coordinate installation of the sensors in the tires at the customer’s site. "In an effort to better serve our common customers, Michelin and Komatsu have signed the first OEM fitment agreement for MEMS4," says Bruce Brackett, senior vice president of Michelin's global mining business line. "The benefit for the mining customer is the integration of the tire pressure monitoring system and the truck at the factory. With MEMS4, the customer receives a complete monitoring platform for tires, site conditions and productivity gains as soon as the new equipment arrives at the site."

The MEMS system, created in 2006, can be found in thousands of rigid dump trucks around the world. The current MEMS4 version provides:

  • increased safety and tire life;
  • reduced unscheduled downtime, tire budgets and maintenance costs;
  • reduced fuel consumption and improve truck availability; and
  • savings on on-site pressure check labor.

“As a leader in innovative technology, Komatsu and our partners develop the best technological solutions that enable our customers to improve safety, performance and reduce the cost per ton,” says Dan Funcannon, vice president and general manager of the Komatsu Large Mining Truck Division. “Integrating MEMS4 at the factory level ensures that the product is subjected to our rigorous quality process and provides a seamless experience for the customer.”

Using GPS and accelerometers, a sensor installed in the tire sends critical tire-related data to alert operators online, via email or by SMS to laptops, tablets or smartphones. Each truck is geo-localized on a map in real time. A data-capture tool and mobile-device connection transfers information via Ethernet or 3G to cloud storage. Data are reported to dispatchers to provide tire performance and anomalies.

Downtime can be anticipated and avoided through detection of critical events. An inflation monitor compensates tire pressure limits for ambient temperature; therefore, when tire temperatures change, operators can know immediately if there is an alert and change routes. Maintenance operations can be anticipated, and useless stops can be avoided.

Michelin will continue to offer MEMS4 as an aftermarket offering for trucks already in operation. To learn more about earthmover tires and services, visit www.MichelinEarthmover.com.