CRADLE TO GRAVE
DRAGLINE BUCKET
BOOSTS PRODUCTIVITY
The new Cat double clip back bucket for
draglines features an innovative design that
increases fill speed and reduces bucket weight
for faster cycle times and greater payload.
The patented design also eliminates the high-
maintenance spreader bar from the rigging
system.
The wide mouth, aggressive lip angle, and low
front height reduce drag power required to fill
the bucket. The design minimises the required fill
distance for improved productivity and reduced
bucket wear. The unique shape of the rear wall
enables the bucket to fill without upper rear
corner voids, and it increases material density
in the bucket for optimum payloads on every
pass. It also clearly shows the operator when the
bucket is full and should exit the cut.
Eliminating the hoist rigging spreader bar
has additional benefits, such as reduced wear
and tear on the top rails and trunnions. Fewer
system components result in less inventory
management and reduced maintenance
cost. The rigging system design also gives
the operator better control of the bucket and
reduces the opportunity for an inexperienced
operator to damage it.
The unique trunnion design and location on
the clipped portion of the bucket protects the
lower hoist link from wear and provides quick
dumping of the payload. The design includes a
cast-in deflector to protect and increase the life
of the trunnion.
The new Cat bucket is available for a wide range
of dragline sizes and applications, no matter
what the brand of machine. Using data-driven
analysis, Caterpillar designs each bucket for the
specific dragline and application.
The design process uses all significant
parameters, including ground density, wear
package, rigging package and bucket weight
to optimise performance within the dragline’s
rated suspended load. Reduced dead weight
of the double clip back bucket, as compared
to conventional designs, ranges from 2 to 10%
depending on the application.
Cat dragline buckets also include wear packages
based on the mine’s material abrasiveness and
digging conditions. The Cat dragline bucket lip
nose casting supports the Cat CapSure adapter
and tooth system. The system delivers long
wear life and hammerless installation of teeth
for enhanced safety and faster removal and
replacement.
The new Cat bucket is available for a wide range of dragline sizes and applications, no matter what the brand of machine.
44
African Mining April 2020
www. africanmining.co.za