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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LO A D I N G T E C H N O LO GY The Cat 6030B will be commercially available by the fourth quarter of 2013. from other machines. We have seen confirmed data from mine sites that indicate a 15% fuel saving per ton." In regard to the development of new machines, Lukowski believes that an additional product in the 200-mt class will pave the way for Liebherr Mining to offer the most complete product range. "We are currently closely looking at this size class, and you should be expecting news from us in this regard in the near future," Lukowski said. Cat Deploys Largest Hydraulic Shovel After acquiring the Bucyrus line of miningclass excavators, Cat began to pursue the larger haul trucks. At MINExpo 2012, Caterpillar displayed the Cat 6030B FS hydraulic excavator and announced the 6120B H FS, which will be the largest hydraulic mining shovel ever built, according to Cat. The 6120B H FS significantly exceeds the size of the 6090 FS to deliver highly productive 3- or 4-pass loading of ultra-class mining trucks. Hybrid technologies reduce fuel use per ton by an estimated 25%—through the use of hydra-electric regenerative technologies and an energy storage system. The 6120B was designed to be the most productive and efficient ultra-class hydraulic shovel. An operating weight of approximately 2.8 million lb (1.27 million kg) and engine output of about 4,500 hp enable the shovel to efficiently handle dipper sizes of 60 to 85 yd3 (46 to 65 m3), depending on material density. The energy management system uses large capacitors to store energy created by the shovel during swing deceleration and boom-down movements. That stored enerwww.e-mj.com The loading capacity for the Hitachi EX5600-6 has been improved. gy then helps power the hydraulic system when the machine requires peak power, such as during the digging portion of the cycle. The hybrid technology features longlife components and design for ease of service, as do other systems within the shovel. Isolated, modular systems within the 6120B offer easy access and enhanced serviceability. The new hydraulic shovel will fill the need for a safe, cost-efficient and highly mobile ultra-class shovel for short-term mining operations and sites with no electrical power or electrical power limitations. Improved hydraulics apply strong bucket forces through a wide range of heights. The Tri Power linkage technology enhances digging capabilities of the 6120B. Similarly, the new shovel makes best use of proven Cat shovel features, such as the ergonomically designed, state-of-the-art operator's cabin. The 6030B FS hydraulic excavator on display at MINExpo 2012 is the first of the B Series machines. The 6030B FS features a new cab with advanced ergonomic design and superior visibility to the work area and clear lines of sight to the stick and boom for enhanced operator comfort and efficiency. Access walkways and hand rails too, have been redesigned to enhance the safety of operators and technicians. The 6030B, available in backhoe configuration as well as front shovel, incorporates a number of components that enhance reliability and durability. The 6030B FS on display featured Cat power— two C27 diesel engines producing 1,530 hp (1,140 kW). A full line of diesel and electric drive options are available. The B series also retains advanced hydraulics control, independent oil cooling, intuitive on-board electronics and durable structures. It also features Cat C95 GET with hammerless design for simplified removal and installation of bucket teeth. The 6030B FS payload of 33 tons remains the same as the 6030 FS that the new model replaces when it becomes commercially available in the fourth quarter of 2013. Machine weight remains at approximately 632,000 lb (287,000 kg). Hitachi Improves the EX5600-6 Hitachi Mining's EX5600-6, as well as its other mining-class hydraulic excavators— the EX8000-6, EX2500-6, EX3600-6 and EX1900-6—have been highly valued by mining customers for their production and high availability, based on reliability. In response to requests by mine owners and operators to increase the production capability without significantly increasing the footprint, last year Hitachi Mining introduced the new EX5600-6. The EX5600-6 has a number of improvements, while retaining many proven features. It's somewhat heavier than its predecessor, has more engine horsepower, and the BE-backhoe version has increased bucket capacity. Estimated productivity increases are 17% for the short-reach BH backhoe, and 12% for the loader version. Loading time per truck has been lessened as well, according to Hitachi Mining. The bucket capacity for the EX5600-6 backhoe version has been increased to 44.5 yd3 (34 m3) from 38 yd3 (29 m3). The reach of the backhoe front attachment has been shortened and the engine output boosted to achieve higher productivity with a cycle time equivalent to the -5 version. AUGUST 2013 • E&MJ; 49