Engineering & Mining Journal

JUN 2014

Engineering and Mining Journal - Whether the market is copper, gold, nickel, iron ore, lead/zinc, PGM, diamonds or other commodities, E&MJ takes the lead in projecting trends, following development and reporting on the most efficient operating pr

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keep any productivity-enhancement efforts simple, said Chris Gehner, Cat's hard rock underground marketing manager. Although cost reduction is a legitimate and often fruitful pursuit, some costs just can't be cut or controlled closely enough to make a sizable difference, commented Gehner—but "tons per shift" is where machine and operator efficiency improve- ments can lead to significant gains. "Small changes can add up," he said. Start by sitting in the trainer's seat of the vehicle for half a shift and take note of any observed inefficiencies or delays; or, "sit on a rock"—observe machine activities from outside the cab and note the condi- tions present in the work area. Use tech- nology to assist in evaluating operations; look at ECM data, load factors or idle time, for instance. Develop "measurables," such as best cycle times, drawpoint and haul road condition, payload accuracy, etc. Then validate and quantify the improvements. In some cases, improvements will be obtained only through efforts that will cost the mine money, Gehner cautioned. These expenditures must have an acceptable ROI. Introducing the 1600H Cat recently launched the R1600H LHD, replacing the R1600G model. The 10.2- metric-ton-capacity 1600 series loader is the best-selling model of Cat's LHD line, and is being manufactured in the compa- ny's Rayong, Thailand, factory. The H version features changes and enhancements to the engine and cooling system, operator station, safety and serv- iceability, durability, and equipment man- agement. Several standard features on the H were options on the previous model. The R1600H is equipped with a Cat C11 ACERT engine rated for operation up to 4,500 m above sea level without com- ponent changes. Two engine options, U.S. EPA Tier 3 and Ventilation Reduction (VR), are available to suit different regional needs. VR engines, through minor engine modifications and adjustments, emit lower amounts of particulate matter, which can reduce ventilation requirements. The axle cooling system now uses the engine jacket water to cool the axle oil. The cooling capacity has been increased to meet the requirements of the C11 engine and axle cooling system. The R1600H has improved operator and technician features with an upgrade to cluster gauges and the CMPD (Color Multi- Purpose Display) monitoring system, allow- ing more information to be available to the operator and technician without the use of the Cat Electronic Service Tool. The display can also be programmed by the operator or technician for different languages and measurement systems. The Operator Present System is now provided on the R1600H. It is a safety fea- ture that keeps the parking brake engaged and hydraulic implements disabled until the operator is present and the machine is ready for safe operation. The VIMS Guardian Third Generation System is available as an option for the R1600H. This technology enables Cat equipment to provide detailed, up-to-the- minute data about its own health and work- ing conditions by monitoring key tempera- tures, pressures and more. Cat announced in late March that its R3000H LHD's field follow program had been completed, with more than 2,000 hours of operation accumulated under- ground. According to the company, all of the LHD's structural designs and machine features proved successful during the pro- gram. The R3000H is the largest LHD in the Cat line and is designed for a rated pay- load of 20 mt in both load-and-carry and truck loading applications. Cat said the R3000H offers a 16% production advan- tage over its predecessor, the R2900 XTRA, in truck loading applications. With its added capacity, the new model provides a three-pass match with the new 60-mt AD60 underground truck. Cat's LHD product line now extends from the R1300G—the smallest—to the R3000H, covering minimum underground work-space cross-sectional dimensions ranging from 3 x 2.8 m to 5 x 5 m. Filling in the ADT Product Line A Cat spokesman said the company's AD60 articulated dump truck, also intro- duced at MINExpo 2012, has been well received in the underground market and joins the company's AD30, AD45B and AD55 (Flat Haul) models. JUNE 2014 • E&MJ; 47 www.e-mj.com L H D S & T R U C K S Sandvik's new LH204 LHD, pictured here, along with the upgraded LH410, offers the Vehicle Control and Management System for faster diagnostic troubleshooting and less downtime. This AD60 is equipped with Cat's Diesel Particulate Filter (mounted on the deck above the tire). The filter medium is optimized to work with Cat's new Ventilation Reduction Package engine hardware and software to deliver a more than 50% reduction in exhaust particulate matter. EMJ_pg46-55_EMJ_pg46-55 6/3/14 2:04 PM Page 47

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