IN CONVERSATION
thought of. So, we designed a tractor so
that the cabin can be rotated 180°, which
also solved the challenge of not seeing
the implements when hooking them onto
the tractor. We also discovered that most
farmers are looking for smaller tractors
than what is currently available on the
market. There is also great opportunity
for very big tractors. We are currently
building a massive tractor that will be
ready for the Nampo show.
When will you launch the tractor?
We want to try and finish the tractor this
year and have it available for next year’s
Nampo agricultural show in Bothaville.
What makes Rham different from
the large multinational Original
Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)?
Rham has a flat management structure
and it is easy to adapt and implement
new ideas and innovation. This allows
us to custom build specific equipment
according to a mining operation’s needs
cost-effectively, which the large OEMs are
not always able to do. Three years ago,
for example, we built the biggest electric
diesel bolter for a South African coal mining
company at a very cost-competitive price.
Are you looking at geographic
diversification?
We’ve delivered a machine in India
and the second one is on the way.
Furthermore, the customer indicated that
they will need more than 15 machines
over the next few years. We also have
machines working in the DRC, Australia
and Zimbabwe.
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OCTOBER 2019
Your underground equipment units
use hydrostatic drive systems.
Considering the benefits of this drive
system, will you use the same system
for your agricultural products?
Yes, the hydrostatic system has
proven that it is more cost-effective in
underground mines, and therefore we
also believe that our tractor should run on
the same principles. In one of our studies
at an underground mine we compared
the fuel used by three conventional
machines with a Rham machine, and the
fuel savings on a fleet of 20 was so much
that the mine will be able to buy two
new machines per year with that savings.
This is partly because of the hydrostatic
system, but we have also introduced an
electric system and combined the two.
In our study, Rham’s hydrostatic
machines used about 17 to 18 litres of
fuel per hour, our closest competitor (a
well-known international OEM) burnt
almost 24 litres per hour while one of the
most well-known international brands
used as much as 28 litres per hour. The
study proved that fuel and tyres are by
far the most expensive expense on a
mine. Those extra machines come at a
cost of almost R5-million per machine, in
other words, by using a Rham hydraulic
system, the mine was able to save
R10-million per 20 machines per year.
So, the hydraulic drive will be of
benefit to other industries?
Yes, for sure. For example, a normal
tractor features up to eight gears.
Farmers need to plough in second
gear which is normally too fast. In a
hydrostatic system the speed increases
incrementally, so you can adjust the
speed to wherever you need it. With a
gearbox you can’t do that. Hydrostatic
systems usually run on low speed, high
torque motors, which is ideal for the
underground mining environment and for
agriculture.
Has the last year been good for local
manufacturers of mining equipment?
It has been challenging. We have
to compete with the likes of big
multinationals who are able to provide
mining companies with innovative
financing arrangements. That allows,
especially smaller scale mining
companies, to operate in some cases for
a full year before they start paying back
on capital equipment. That makes a big
difference. We are not able to offer such
deals at the moment, but we are looking
at a solution in the future. One solution
is to rent out our machines. We have
rented out five machines in the last seven
months.
We’ve also realised that the
contractors approach us more often
than the actual mining companies, who
speak directly to the big OEMs. If we can
level the playing field, it will make a big
difference. South African manufactured
underground equipment is as good
as any other international company’s
product. In fact, we have proven that the
price and performance are much better.
However, we are extremely positive
about the new Mining Charter, which
requires mining operations to procure
from local manufacturers. It is a step in
the right direction.
www.equipmentandhire.co.za