The Renault Kerax has become established as the vehicle of choice in the construction, mining and forestry sectors in many countries around the world and has a strong foothold in sub-Saharan Africa. 

NOW AVAILABLE with more power and torque, the latest derivatives look set to becoming an increasingly viable alternative for truck operators working in the harshest operating conditions. Three derivatives of the Kerax are available to local customers each fitted with the powerful and economical DXi11 engine. These are the medium duty for light construction applications mainly used in Europe and North Africa in tipper or tanker applications and the heavy duty and extra heavy duty for tough operating conditions. The extra heavy duty models are also used for abnormal load transportation and are capable of handling up to 120 tons with ease.

An Xtrem version, originally designed for the logging industry in Indonesia, is also available for concrete transport over rough terrain, road building and quarry work. 

The full Kerax range consists of rigid and truck tractors in 4x2, 6x4 and 6x6 configurations, plus a 4x4 and 8x4 rigid.

The Renault Sherpas seen in the foreground, designed for military applications, will not be coming into South Africa.             The spell of the hinterland. One of the expedition vehicles in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Engines

For South Africa, the six-cylinder, inline DXi11 Euro 3 engine with high pressure electronic injection and unit pumps is available with three power ratings: 

246kW/ 330 hp (1,950 Nm), 279 kW/380 hp (1,800 Nm) and 330 kW/440hp (2000 Nm). 

This is 9 to 18 % more powerful than the previous dCi11 engine and delivers 14 to 43 % more torque. All DXi11 Kerax trucks come with an exhaust brake as standard, offering a retardation power of 175 kW at 2 300 rpm at the wheel. 

Renault’s Optibrake exhaust brake, the most powerful compression brake on the market which provides 275 kW of retardation power at 2 300 rev/ min, is optional.

Gearboxes

Kerax can be equipped with a choice of 16-speed manual gearboxes and “robotised”. 

Optidriver+ gearboxes: The manual gearboxes coupled to the Dxi11 engine are all equipped with the Servoshift control as standard. Servoshift implements a cable-driven system with pneumatic assistance to reduce gearchanging time and effort. 

The Kerax’s Optidriver+ has been improved to increase gear-change speeds and optimise the mobility/fuel consumption ratio. In addition, the driver can adjust gearbox mapping (for even quicker changes) via a button on the dashboard in order to maintain mobility in every sort of situation. 

The optional association of the Optidriver+ robotised gearbox with the Voith retarder is particularly suitable for heavy construction applications, allowing it to be used in full auto mode in almost all cases. 

None of the expedition vehicles suffered a mechanical breakdown or even a flat tyre during the 30 000km journey.

Retarders 

The Intarder hydraulic retarder is fully integrated in the manual gearbox and offers a breaking torque of 3,200 Nm (500 kW).

Axles and drive axles

For maximum ground clearance, Kerax has a new flat axle, without offset, fitted to all 4x2, 6x4 and 8x4 configurations. The spring brackets are attached to the upper section to avoid damaging them during arduous manoeuvres. 

Power take-off

Kerax offers a comprehensive range of power take-off units that can be coupled to the gearbox, the engine, or between the engine and the gearbox as required, turning the vehicle into a real tool carrier (tipper, crane, mixer). 

The new Kerax range has enabled Renault Trucks to rationalize its power take-off offering so as to best meet different vocational needs. Kerax has a power take-off adapted to each application, whether for intermittent use, continuous use or high-power use. The feature is disengageable. 

Chassis

The chassis frame of the Kerax is designed with a new side member configuration and a more forward axle setback, positioned under the cab to facilitate bodybuilding. The new width measurements, 1,080 mm in front and 850 mm at the rear, give greater stability and better road holding. 

All tractors come with brackets that allow the fifth-wheel to be moved over 200 mm so as to accommodate non-ISO semi-trailers. 

Brakes

The brakes on the Kerax combine conventional drum brakes, with the sophistication of EBS technology (Electronic Braking System). The system delivers even greater safety in case of emergency braking. The brake lining actuator has an automatic slack adjustment. 

Suspension 

Up front, the Kerax 4x2, 4x4, 6x4 and 6x6 versions receive twin-leaf parabolic mechanical suspensions(8 tons) or two reinforced leaf suspensions (9 tons). The 4x2 and 6x4 trucks can be fitted with 7,1 ton suspension in the front for greater comfort. On the 8x4 versions: - twin-leaf suspensions on the first axles and three-leaf suspensions on the second axles (8 tons) - reinforced, twin-leaf suspensions on the first axles and four leaf suspensions on the second axles (9 tons). 

Exterior 

The Renault Kerax cab is available in three versions corresponding to different cab dimensions: Day, Global and Sleeper. The cab is robust and compact, with a new radiator grille for better air flow, side anti-splash deflectors to reduce dirt projections onto the door and to improve the vehicle’s aerodynamic qualities. 

Interior

The Renault Kerax boasts a dashboard with easy-to-reach controls for the driver, 12 and 24V sockets, as well as cup holders and a detachable ashtray.

Features include:

• Centrally-located rev counter with an integrated digital speedometer. 

• Display of additional driving information,.

• Outside temperature reading. 

• Anti-glare glass facing.

• Warning messages for the driver.

• Pictogram, alert indicator in case of problems. 

• Lockable electronic fifth-wheel.

• Tyre pressure display