Engineering & Mining Journal

JUN 2012

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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EQUIPMENT GALLERY Mid-size Wheel Loader Designed for Improved Productivity Komatsu America's new WA500-7 wheel loader is powered by an EPA Tier 4 Interim and EU Stage 3B emission-certified SAA6D140E-6 engine with 353 net hp (263 kW) and has an operating weight of 76,611 lb (34,750 kg) when equipped with a 7.3-yd3 (5.6-m3) general-purpose bucket. Improvements include Smart Loader Logic, which can save fuel by adjusting engine torque to match the appli- cation. The WA500-7 provides easy service access, increased cooling capacity, wider cooling fin spacing, and a standard auto- reversing fan to help keep the radiator clean. A diesel particulate filter and regen- eration system are integrated to keep the operator aware of its status, yet not inter- fere with daily operation. According to Komatsu, the WA500-7 features a large-capacity torque converter with lock-up as a standard feature, provid- ing improved acceleration and hill climbing ability, a higher top speed and lower fuel consumption. The lock-up function acti- vates in second, third and fourth gears and gives the machine a maximum ground speed of 23.2 mph (37.3 km/h). Komatsu claims that because of its increased trac- tive effort, the wheel loader has greater productivity in V-cycle applications. It can also achieve higher gear ranges and main- tain higher ground speeds when working in load-and-carry applications. A ROPS/FOPS Level 2 certified cab provides a more comfortable and quieter work environment for the operator, featur- ing a redesigned dashboard and a high- back, heated air ride seat that has been relocated to improve visibility. A high-reso- lution 7-in. LCD monitor offers enhanced capabilities and displays information in 25 154 E&MJ; • JUNE 2012 languages for global support. Using the monitor, the operator can easily modify set- tings for items such as the Auto Idle Shutdown or the auto-reversing fan. Operators can also check operational records, such as working hours or fuel con- sumption; monitor the diesel particulate filter; or check time remaining for the next maintenance interval. A separate high-res- olution back-up camera is standard equip- ment on all WA500-7s. www.komatsuamerica.com Screening Media Resists Impact Damage and Pegging Major Wire Industries claims its Flex-Mat 3 Double-Wire high-performance, self-clean- ing screen helps mining operations in- crease production when screening high- impact, heavy and abrasive material on top decks. The side-by-side wire design adds a slight spring to the wire that absorbs impact from heavy material or when it is dropped from a longer distance. Flex-Mat 3 vibrating wire technology, combined with this side-by-side wire design, increases screen capacity and throughput, while eliminating pegging on top decks and the "popcorn effect" often seen when single wire is used to screen high-impact and heavy materials. Flex-Mat 3 Double-Wire's two wires lie flat against each other, so crimps do not protrude upward and inter- fere with material flow, and the flat screen surface extends wear life up to three times when compared with traditional woven wire with high wear spots. According to the manufacturer, its Flex- Mat 3 Double-Wire uses the same screen media technology as traditional Flex-Mat 3, which provides up to 30% more screen capacity than woven wire and up to 50% more screen capacity than polyurethane and rubber panels. Polyurethane strips bond individual wires as they run from hook to hook and allow them to vibrate independently at different frequencies, eliminating blinding, pegging and clog- ging. In addition, the independently vibrat- ing wire technology increases product throughput by up to 40% over traditional woven wire and polyurethane or rubber panels. Flex-Mat 3 Double-Wire is avail- able in wire diameters up to 3/8 in. (9.5 mm) and opening sizes up to 4 in. (101.6 mm). Made from OptimumWire, which is manufactured with high carbon and man- ganese content to provide an optimum combination of ductility, hardness and ten- sile strength, Flex-Mat 3 Double-Wire is less susceptible to breaking in high-impact conditions with highly abrasive materials. www.majorwire.cc Multi-purpose Drilling Rig for Mining and Tunneling Atlas Copco's new Boomer E1 C-DH face drilling rig is a single-boom, diesel- hydraulic multipurpose unit specifically designed for mine areas lacking water and electrical infrastructure. The Boomer E1 C- DH comes with dual onboard 118-gal (446-liter) water tanks and a six-cylinder, 232-hp (173-kW) Deutz diesel engine to drive the rig, its boom and the drill's hydraulic pumps. The E1 C-DH is one of the largest diesel-hydraulic face-drilling rigs on the market, with a coverage area of up to 1,022 ft2 (95 m2)—a 38% improve- ment over its predecessor. The multipur- pose capabilities of the new machine are enhanced with the addition of an optional basket attachment. This allows the rig to be used as a bolter and as a utility rig for drilling holes and installing ventilation ducting, among other tasks. The Boomer E1 C-DH drill rig is equipped with Atlas Copco's Rig Control System with the option www.e-mj.com

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