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Canopies protect the operator in both driving and basket-work positions. Fletcher's 3113 machine is de- signed for bolting in stope conditions as narrow as 2 m (6 ft. 6 in.). Drilling, resin insertion and bolting is all done from a boom-mounted, canopy-protect- ed operator's basket. With a 2-m tram- ming height, the machine is 8.8 m long and 1.2 m wide, yet can install bolts up to 4.6 m above the floor level. Bolts up to 1.8 m long can be drilled and in- stalled in a single pass. Meanwhile, the 3116-AD/E roof- bolter is designed for installing com- monly used bolts in the back or either sidewall, in headings from 2.7 m (8 ft. 10 in.) to 5.3 m (17 ft. 6 in.) wide and up to 5.7 m (18 ft.10 in.) high. Again, diesel tramming with electro-hydraulic bolting gives cost-effective operation in an improved working environment, the company said, with the articulated design allowing the rig to tram and set up in tight headings, circular ramps or crosscuts. Scaling is also an area where Fletcher believes narrow-vein operators can benefit from using its machines, Hardman said. He cited the example of the 3224AD articulated scaler, which measures just 2.1 m wide yet can reach roof heights of up to 7.3 m (24 ft) and has a fully enclosed cab to ensure oper- ator safety. Paus Introduces High-altitude Loader The German manufacturer, Hermann Paus Maschinenfabrik, has launched a new generation of compact loader, which, it said, has been developed specifically for use at altitude. The PFL 8 Z production vehicle sets new stan- dards in terms of productivity, maneu- verability and performance, the company claims, with the updated model incorpo- rating many years of experience gained in hard-rock mining at altitude. With an unladen weight of 5.3 met- ric tons (mt), a maximum bucket vol- ume of 0.8 m 3 and a maximum payload of 1.8 mt, the PFL 8 Z was developed for the extremely difficult working con- ditions in ultra-small-scale mining, according to Paus. The loader is equipped with a 69-kW air-cooled Deutz diesel engine, certified to COM II, deliv- ering high torque, good exhaust emis- sion values and low fuel consumption. A new Paus power drive unit automatical- ly adjusts the traction power and speed to the specific loading or hauling requirements, leading to reduced tire and brake wear and significantly reduc- ing operating and maintenance costs. A newly developed, high-perform- ance hydraulics concept guarantees maximum breakout force and drive power with minimal power loss, Paus said, with the system being particularly effective where the machine has short trips with lots of reversing. Newly designed Z-kinematics and an opti- mized bucket shape also allow the oper- ator to fill and empty the bucket faster, making the vehicle more efficient. Paus noted that it has designed the PFL 8 Z for operator comfort, with sim- ple ergonomic joystick controls that are clearly arranged within the cab and are within easy reach of the operator. In terms of safety equipment, the vehicle is fitted with a ROPS/FOPS protective cab roof, Posi Stop braking system and a dead-man's switch integrated into the operator's door. The loader can be equipped with a semiautomatic or fully automatic fire extinguishing system at the customer's request. Side entry also helps to reduce hazards and to improve comfort. The LED lights on the rear and front ends, which act as flashlights in the event of damage to the machine, are an additional safety feature, and there is also a beacon light to warn other vehicles. Paus said that, as with all its machines, simple and fast access to service points is a matter of course. A display with a simple CANbus connec- tion is integrated into the display panel for rapid fault analysis, and to transmit key vehicle data and fault codes to the operator or service personnel. The use of a CANbus connection also means that the amount of cabling is reduced, so eliminating potential fault sources. In addition, the PFL 8 Z has an opti- mized maintenance system with larger access doors for easier access. Should the hydraulic oil temperature exceed the programmed temperature range, the drive is reduced to half power, giving lower maintenance costs and reduced downtime. The company said it places great importance on offering its customers individually tailor-made solutions. Alongside the standard version, the new loader is available with a range of dif- ferent bucket versions for different uses. There is also an optional quick- change system, meaning that it can carry different types of add-on equip- ment such as fork arms, crane hooks or even a cage, thereby helping to add to its capabilities without incurring the investment cost of buying other stand- alone machines. A Full Narrow-vein Range Atlas Copco's range of equipment suit- able for use in narrow-vein applications includes development jumbos, stoping and bolting rigs, and LHDs. The Boomer T1D, for instance, is a single- boom jumbo, equipped with a heavy- MARCH 2014 • E&MJ; 29 www.e-mj.com N A R R O W V E I N M I N I N G The Paus PFL 8 Z loader was developed specifically for the difficult working conditions often encountered in ultra- small-scale mining operations. EMJ_pg28-37_EMJ_pg28-37 2/28/14 3:10 PM Page 29