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NARROW VEIN 58 E&MJ; • OCTOBER 2017 www.e-mj.com distributor is Topo Equipment in Zacate- cas and they work with Wajax in Canada. Fletcher manufacturers many custom- designed machines. Miners sometimes want a specially designed feed system or the abil- ity to install different kinds of bolts, Hard- man explained. "Many of these mines have been successfully operating our machines and systems, and now we are fine-tuning the design to match their inventory and mainte- nance needs," Hardman said. "Some want to modify the hammer or a set of axles, so they match the hammers and axles they are using on other equipment." The primary driver in Ontario is the deeper operations where they are concerned about the geology and rock bursts. "They have started using the man-up machines to move drilling operations away from jack- legs and stopers," Hardman said. "They are opening the headings a little wider to accommodate the N3016 to drill remotely. Several of those machines are being re-as- sembled underground in Ontario right now." Some of the Canadian machines are being equipped with a form of proximi- ty detection. "It's a light-based guarding system that prevents miners from walking in front of the machine during operation," Hardman said. "On either side, the Light Guard extends from the machine to the ribs. If anything breaches it, all rotation stops and the hydraulics disengage on the front of the machine." The Light Guard technology was devel- oped by Fletcher internally and they have taken it a step further with the new Light Curtain for the man up machines. "This system shines down in front of the oper- ators, preventing them from reaching out while the machine is drilling," Hardman said. "This is great safety technology and we are incorporating it in a lot of areas." Fletcher has also made improvements to its Goad system, which is an angle indi- cator mostly used on the larger machines. Goad currently functions as an operator assist, giving the operator targets to hit. "It makes a good operator better," Hard- man said. "We are taking that system and expanding it because more miners are looking at full autonomy. We are also currently developing the Goad MP (multi- plane) and Goad AED (automated entry driver) systems. The MP system will have angle indicators for both horizontal and vertical planes, while the AEM system is a one-stop shop for automation." Fletcher is making similar improve- ments to its line of face drills for nar- row-vein applications. In addition to the diesel-electric and battery options as well as the Light Guard technology, they are also working with customers to match the percussive hammers to the rock strength. "So many people think they need a high dollar hammer from one of our compet- itors," Hardman said. "They are great hammers, but they also add considerable costs. Many mines are drilling in relative- ly soft rock and they could get by with a much more cost-effective hammer." For rock strengths between 12,000 to 25,000 psi, Fletcher has been promoting its HVL 38 hammer. "It's a good perform- er and its cost effective," Hardman said. "Rebuild costs are $7,000, compared to $20,000-$40,000 to rebuild some models." Fletcher has two hammers: the HVL 38 for face drilling applications and the HVL 32 for roof drilling applications. Hardman describes the HVL 32 as a bold, short and compact hammer. Fletcher also suggests miners consider its 3224-AD, a narrow-heading scaler. It's a diesel-powered, four-wheel drive scaling machine with an articulated frame that Deeper mines have elected to use the man-up configuration, such as the Fletcher 3000 series, to move the operator out of harm's way. The Sandvik LH202 loader is targeted for tunnel widths between 2 meters and 2.5 meters.