The genuine XCMG drive plate 800172318 is a precision‑engineered flexplate designed specifically for the Mercedes‑Benz OM460LA diesel engine and ZF 8WG310 automatic transmission combination in XCMG articulated dump trucks. This high‑strength drive plate transmits engine torque from the crankshaft to the torque converter while accommodating minor axial misalignments and dampening torsional vibrations.
Manufactured from high‑grade spring steel and precision‑balanced to DIN ISO 21940-11 quality grade G6.3, the 800172318 drive plate features a ring gear for starter engagement and precisely drilled mounting holes for attachment to both the crankshaft and the torque converter. The flexplate is engineered to flex slightly under load, absorbing drivetrain shocks and reducing stress on the transmission input shaft and engine crankshaft thrust bearings. This flexibility is critical for the OM460LA engine, which produces 2,300 N·m of torque at 1300 rpm and operates under extreme hauling conditions.
The 800172318 drive plate is fully compatible with XCMG articulated dump trucks including XDA30, XDA40, XDA45U, XDA60E, and XDA70 series. The XDA45U model features a permanent 6×6 all‑wheel drive system with 100% lockable differentials, capable of tackling slopes of up to 30°. The drive plate connects the engine’s 360 kW (483 hp) output to the ZF 8WG310 transmission, which includes a torque converter lock‑up clutch and a hydraulic retarder providing over 600 kW of braking power. The 800172318 must withstand not only the engine’s torque but also the reactive forces generated during retarder operation.
The following table provides complete technical specifications for the XCMG 800172318 drive plate, meeting all original equipment manufacturer standards for the Mercedes‑Benz OM460LA engine and ZF 8WG310 automatic transmission combination.
The 800172318 drive plate is manufactured from high‑quality spring steel (SAE 1070) selected for its excellent fatigue resistance and ability to flex repeatedly without permanent deformation. The blank is laser‑cut from certified steel coil, then precision‑machined to create the mounting bolt holes, pilot bore, and starter ring gear teeth. The ring gear teeth are induction‑hardened to 45–55 HRC to withstand repeated starter motor engagement, while the flat spring section remains at a lower hardness (35‑40 HRC) to maintain flexibility.
After machining, the 800172318 drive plate undergoes dynamic balancing on a Schenck balancing machine to DIN ISO 21940-11 quality grade G6.3. The residual unbalance is held to ≤8 g·mm, ensuring smooth operation and preventing vibration that could damage the torque converter seal or transmission pump. Each drive plate is 100% visually and dimensionally inspected, and the ring gear teeth are 100% magnetic particle inspected for cracks. The finished drive plate receives a zinc‑phosphate coating with an oil dip for corrosion protection during storage and shipping.
The OEM drive plate 800172318 is a direct replacement for original equipment on the full range of XCMG articulated dump trucks powered by Mercedes-Benz OM460LA diesel engines. The XDA45U model is a world‑renowned 41‑tonne articulated dump truck designed for mining, quarry, water conservation, harbour, brownfield, and construction sites. It is powered by an OM460LA engine producing 360 kW (483 hp) at 1900 rpm and delivering 2,300 N·m of torque at 1300 rpm, with 90% of maximum torque available as low as 1000 rpm. The ZF 8WG310 automatic transmission features a torque converter lock‑up clutch that bypasses the fluid coupling at higher speeds, transmitting full engine torque directly through the drive plate.
The XDA45U’s permanent all-wheel-drive 6×6 system with 100% lockable differentials allows the vehicle to tackle slopes of up to 30°. The all-wheel disc brake system and hydraulic retarder provide braking power exceeding 600 kW. During retarder operation, the drive plate experiences reverse torque loads as the transmission attempts to slow the engine. The 800172318’s spring steel construction absorbs these shock loads, protecting both the engine crankshaft and transmission input shaft from bending or fracture.
Beyond the XDA45U, the 800172318 drive plate is also used on the XDA40 (39‑tonne payload), XDA60E (55‑tonne payload AC electric drive ADT), XDA30 (30‑tonne payload), and XDA70 (65‑tonne payload). All models feature the same OM460LA engine and ZF 8WG310 transmission architecture, making the 800172318 a standardised component across the XCMG articulated hauler range. Field data from Australian iron ore mines and Chilean copper operations shows that genuine 800172318 drive plates maintain structural integrity for 12,000‑15,000 operating hours, with no cases of cracking or fatigue failure reported.
The drive plate (also known as a flexplate) serves three primary functions in the OM460LA engine and ZF 8WG310 transmission system. First, it mounts the torque converter to the engine crankshaft, providing the mechanical link for torque transmission. Second, it incorporates the starter ring gear, allowing the starter motor to crank the engine. Third, and most critically, it flexes slightly under load to accommodate minor misalignments between the engine crankshaft axis and the transmission input shaft axis, while also dampening torsional vibrations from the engine’s firing pulses.
Unlike a conventional flywheel (which is rigid and stores rotational energy), a flexplate is designed to be flexible. The spring steel construction of the 800172318 allows it to deflect axially by up to 1.5 mm under full torque load, absorbing misalignments that would otherwise cause premature failure of the torque converter front seal or pump bushing. This flexibility also reduces the bending moment on the engine’s crankshaft thrust bearings, extending their service life.
During torque converter lock‑up operation (which occurs at highway speeds in on‑road applications and at higher gears in mining operations), the drive plate transmits the engine’s full torque directly to the transmission input shaft without the cushioning effect of the torque converter fluid coupling. The 800172318’s spring steel construction acts as a torsional damper, smoothing out the remaining combustion pulses that would otherwise be transmitted through the locked‑up drivetrain, reducing gear rattle and improving component longevity.
Proper installation of the 800172318 drive plate is critical for drivetrain reliability. Before installation, inspect the crankshaft flange for damage, corrosion, or burrs. Clean the flange and the drive plate mounting surface with solvent and a lint‑free cloth. Never reuse the old drive plate bolts—ZF and XCMG specify torque‑to‑yield fasteners that must be replaced each time the drive plate is removed. Install new M12 × 1.5 bolts (grade 10.9) with a light coating of clean engine oil on the threads and under the bolt heads to ensure consistent torque readings.
Position the 800172318 drive plate onto the crankshaft flange, aligning the mounting holes with the crankshaft bolt holes. Install the bolts finger‑tight, then tighten them in a criss‑cross pattern using a calibrated torque wrench. The tightening procedure is a two‑stage process: first stage – torque all bolts to 100 Nm (74 lb·ft); second stage – torque to 200 Nm (148 lb·ft). If the manufacturer specifies an angle torque, rotate each bolt an additional 90° after reaching 200 Nm. Never use an impact wrench, as the shock loading can damage the drive plate or crank flange.
After securing the drive plate to the crankshaft, mount the torque converter onto the drive plate using the six M10 × 1.25 bolts. Tighten these bolts to 55 Nm (41 lb·ft) in a cross pattern. Before bolting the transmission to the engine, ensure the torque converter is fully seated in the transmission pump and rotates freely. A common mistake is forcing the transmission onto the engine without proper torque converter alignment, which can crack the drive plate or damage the pump. A follow‑up inspection after 250 operating hours should verify that all bolts remain tight.
Laboratory validation of the 800172318 drive plate included torsional fatigue testing to 2.5 million cycles at 2,300 N·m (engine peak torque), with no crack initiation or permanent deformation. Axial deflection testing confirmed the flexplate’s ability to accommodate ±1.5 mm of misalignment without exceeding elastic limits. High‑speed spin testing at 3,000 rpm (20% overspeed) showed no distortion or ring gear loosening. Ring gear tooth bending fatigue testing at 500 N·m for 500,000 cycles produced no visible wear or cracking.
Field trials on XCMG XDA45U articulated dump trucks operating in Australian iron ore mines (ambient temperatures up to 45°C, severe dust) and Indonesian coal mines (high humidity, abrasive coal dust) involved 25 vehicles over 18 months. The genuine 800172318 drive plates showed no signs of cracking, warping, or ring gear tooth wear after 12,000‑15,000 operating hours. By contrast, aftermarket drive plates tested under identical conditions exhibited hairline cracks at the bolt hole radii within 6,000‑8,000 hours, and ring gear tooth chipping within 5,000 hours due to insufficient induction hardening. The genuine XCMG drive plate’s G6.3 balancing also resulted in measurably lower transmission vibration levels—a critical factor for operator comfort and transmission pump seal life.
Corrosion testing per ASTM B117 placed zinc‑phosphate coated 800172318 drive plates in a 5% salt spray chamber for 200 hours. No red rust or white corrosion products were observed on the coated surfaces. The coating also withstood the thermal cycling between -40°C and +150°C over 500 cycles with no delamination.
Aftermarket drive plates pose significant risks to drivetrain reliability and operator safety. Non‑genuine flexplates are often manufactured from lower‑grade carbon steel that lacks the required fatigue strength and flexibility. The ring gear teeth may not be properly induction‑hardened, leading to rapid wear and starter motor mis‑engagement. The balancing is often poor or omitted entirely, causing drivetrain vibration that can damage the torque converter seal, transmission pump bushings, and crankshaft thrust bearings. The consequences include drive plate cracking leading to complete loss of engine‑to‑transmission torque transfer, ring gear tooth stripping causing inability to start the engine, excessive vibration damaging the torque converter and transmission pump, and unplanned downtime costing thousands of dollars per day.
Genuine XCMG 800172318 drive plates offer full material traceability from certified steel mills, documented heat treatment records, 100% dynamic balancing to G6.3 quality grade, ring gear MPI crack detection, and a 12‑month warranty against manufacturing defects. Each drive plate is batch‑tested for compliance with XCMG’s OEM specifications for material composition, hardness, flexibility, balance, and dimensional accuracy. Using genuine XCMG drive plates preserves your articulated dump truck’s transmission warranty, eliminates the risk of premature drivetrain failure, and reduces the total cost of ownership over the life of your fleet.
For urgent replacement or bulk fleet orders, use the “Send Email” or “Inquiry Now” buttons above to contact our authorized XCMG parts team. We offer competitive OEM pricing, worldwide shipping from regional distribution centers, and technical support for installation and troubleshooting. Protect your XCMG articulated dump truck’s drivetrain investment—choose only genuine OEM 800172318 drive plates for reliable, long‑lasting performance in the toughest mining environments.
