UG LOAD AND HAUL_proof 25/05/2016 09:24 Page 7
UG LOAD AND HAUL
Teleremote operation of Caterpillar LHD
using Command for Underground
In terms of drive systems and powertrains,
Caterpillar told IM it “continues to research and
develop alternate motive power systems for
underground hard rock machines. Remember that
Caterpillar has a long history of supplying
battery-powered scoops for utility use in
underground coal mines. With more than 40
years of scoop engineering and manufacturing
experience and more than 6,500 battery-powered
units produced, Caterpillar and its predecessors
have developed and refined a low-maintenance
and e fficient utility vehicle. The Cat SU488 is the
most popular low-profile scoop in underground
coal operations.” So it seems that battery hard
rock products may not be too far off.
On helping underground load and haul
customers address the difficult market
conditions, Caterpillar says it is working to
optimise machine life and component life to
reduce total cost of ownership for customers.
Sean Gladieux, Product Manager, Cat MineStar
Health & Cat Equipment Care Advisor states: “In
the Caterpillar Global Mining Division, we rely on
Cat dealers’ condition monitoring analysts to
make fact-based decisions about the optimum
time to replace components. Assisting the dealer
analyst are powerful applications such as Cat
Equipment Care Advisor (ECA), which automates
data correlation and, via the use of analytics,
determines when a component or system is
deviating from optimum performance. ECA also
harnesses lessons learned around the world from
all our dealer and customer fleets through the
collective sharing of knowledge. Going forward,
additional enhancements in applications such as
ECA will introduce risk calculations to inform the
analyst of the likelihood that a system or
component can run until the next planned
interval.”
On the trucks, the AD60 has been designed for
high productivity and reliability, and long duty
cycles. The truck is equipped with a Cat® C27
30 International Mining | JUNE 2016
engine, which features ACERT™ Technology that
provides good low-end response and efficient
fuel usage. The result is lower overall cost per
tonne, says Caterpillar. “The design of the tray
also contributes to lower cost per tonne. The
curves and shape of the tray promote wet
material releasing from the tray to reduce
carryback. Even the smallest amount of carryback
can affect the overall productivity of the mine and
contribute to as much as 5% loss in material
being taken to the surface each haul”, says
Daniel Hawkins, Technical Marketing
Representative. The truck is performing well in
the field, and a major new order for 12 trucks is
going to Stornoway’s Renard diamond mine in
Quebec.
GHH Fahrzeuge
GHH’s range of products includes machinery from
proven technology to highly sophisticated
hydrostatic drive train based machines and super
low profile loaders for applications in tough
mining and tunnelling conditions. The current
GHH portfolio includes diesel LHDs with
payloads from 3 to 21 t; diesel Super Low Profile
LHDs (SLPs) with payloads from 5 to 14 t; electric
GHH LF-21H (high reach z-link for truck
loading) with 10.5m3 hard rock bucket
LHDs with payloads from 10 to 21 t; and dump
trucks with payloads from 15 to 60 t.
“All GHH models are designed around the
extremely robust GHH frame and system design
aiming at low operating costs and long lifetime.
GHH Fahrzeuge is continuously working on new
developments as well as implementing new
emissions standards in order to be able to
provide LHDs and dump trucks for high-tech (Tier
4 interim and final/COM IIIB and COM IV with
DPF) as well as plain technology markets (Tier 3 /
COM IIIA and below).”
GHH currently maintains subsidiaries in
Australia, Chile, China, Russia, Poland and South
Africa while covering most of the other countries
through a comprehensive network of dealers in
order to provide market coverage and service as
well as to ensure close customer contact.
“As a member of the Schmidt, Kranz & Co. (SK)
Group, GHH Fahrzeuge can access an extensive
network of Germany-based companies with a
product portfolio covering large parts of the
mining sector. Thus, the SK Group can provide
extensive lifecycle solutions, encompassing the
whole range of mining machinery and adjacent
services.”
The steel frame of GHH machines is designed
for ultra-high-cycle-fatigue and thus maximises
lifetime. “After a complete rebuild at one of our
facilities the machines can enter into their
second life for almost the same time again. In the
current market environment we also understand
the growing importance of our aftersales
support. If breakdowns occur it is all about time.
Since our machines are running in mines around
the globe we increased spare parts stock at our
subsidiaries and distributors in order to keep
availability as high as possible. Furthermore we
believe in the highest possible level of training of
both GHH and client personnel. The availability
and economic efficiency of the operation is
dependent on the qualification of operation and
maintenance personnel. For this reason we offer
proven training concepts with our GHH training
academy at our headquarters or on-site.”