SURFACE DRILLING
“The drill also offers best-in-class
manoeuvrability,” the company says. “Its
compact working envelope and powerful
undercarriage get it into position faster, reducing
the time spent accessing drill patterns and
moving between holes.”
A Cat 336 excavator-style undercarriage
provides superior durability, tractive effort and
drawbar pull, Cat adds.
The MD6200 also benefits from the integration
of a Cat C18 engine, available in US EPA Tier 4
Final configuration and in US EPA Tier 2-
equivalent configuration to suit regional needs.
Both high pressure and low-pressure
compressor configurations offer variable volume
air control, matching the compressor output to
the drill tool and application needs. The system
also lowers stand-by pressures while the
machine is idle, further improving fuel efficiency,
according to Cat.
The MD6200 also comes with Cat electronics,
offering technicians the same architecture used
on the company’s other machines. They also
provide a platform for automated controls.
“Integrated machine protection features and
interlocks help keep operators safe and the
machine up and running by preventing potential
failures and operating errors,” Cat says.
Product Link™ Elite allows drill health metrics
and performance to be easily downloaded and
tracked in real time.
When it comes to the cab, the
Caterpillar’s new
MD6200 is designed to promote
MD6200 with mast in
forward position
operator comfort and productivity.
Ergonomic controls help the
operator remain productive and
efficient through the entire shift,
while optional upgrades, such as
a heated, ventilated seat with
heavy-duty suspension and dual-
pane glass, provide comfort on
long shifts, according to Cat.
“Multifunction joystick
controls and touchscreens are
intuitive to use, and three
standard cameras give the
operator awareness of the work
area,” Cat says.
The technology options that
come with the MD6200 make it more productive
Viper PV-231 surface blasthole drills will become
and efficient. Drill Assist offers a number of
available in Spring 2019. The Pit Viper series of
automated functions, including auto level, auto
surface blasthole drills offers Rig Control
retract jacks, auto raise and lower mast, and auto
Systems (RCS) with automation capabilities as
drill. Meanwhile, the drill depth monitoring
standard. The RCS is entering its fifth generation,
system helps to reduce over- and under-drilling,
building on the proven RCS4 platform with
boosting productivity and fragmentation.
operational enhancements. Customers have the
The MD6200 is also ready for Cat Terrain for
ability to operate their Pit Vipers manually with
drilling, which uses guidance technologies to
automated assistance or to utilise the platform
help operators drill holes in the exact location
for fully autonomous operation experienced
specified by the plan, resulting in smoother, safer
today at mines around the world.
and more efficient blasting.
Since its debut at MINExpo 2016, the PV-231
Moving on, the automation-ready Epiroc Pit
has undergone 18 months of successful field