UTILITY VEHICLES AND PERSONNEL MOVEMENT
The purpose-built UVB Road Preparation Vehicle can be used in numerous applications such as scaling , rock breaking and road preparation
energy regulation .
A ground engaging tool for scaling is included as standard on the Road Preparation Vehicle , which is designed around the GHH SLP5 carrier . In addition to the purpose-built boom , this unit is fitted with a robust “ grader-type ” pusher blade that can be adjusted hydraulically from the operator cabin to assist with preparing roadways .
Initially UVB produced a four-tonne range of vehicles specifically designed for low-profile mines in the southern African region , with this range proving popular with large populations throughout local mines .
Using the experience gained in this size class , UVB went on to design and manufacture a larger 8 t range more suited for conventional mining operations . Using the existing products as the baseline , a new range of MV U60D utility vehicles and cassettes has also been developed , which come with a 6 t capacity .
Moving to the larger utility vehicle range , GHH Group has a well-established global footprint of GHH-branded , Titan-manufactured utility vehicles . These high-strength , articulated , ROPS / FOPS level 2 certified , closed-cabin vehicles have all-wheel drive , powershift transmission and articulated steering with EU Stage III emission standard engines as standard and options for a Stage V-compliant engine .
GHH has recently expanded its range of utility vehicles in a drive to strengthen and diversify the
offering , launching the BHA3 cassette handler and cassette range , as well as the BKOS Front Basket Truck and BKT Scaler .
The BHA3 cassette handler vehicle has a tramming height of 2.4 m , a width of 2 m and a minimum length of 8.4 m without cassettes . It is fitted with rear view cameras in the cabin for optimal operator performance . The BHA3 can support various cassette systems , such as a loading platform , a water tank and a number of other custom-designed modules .
“ Thanks to a safe , efficient and easily replaceable cassette system , the customer receives an effective solution to support several areas of work with one solution , therefore reducing the upfront capital costs associated with having dedicated utility vehicles that are under-utilised ,” GHH said .
Another advantage of the BHA3 is the ability to monitor the position and angle of the lifting hook with an electronic tracking system . An additional sensor prevents movement before the cassette is closed .
The 4,000 litre water tank cassette has a 1,500 litre per minute capacity and a quick coupling 30 m hose reel . The water tank can achieve right and left 1.5-m-height wall washing and has an electronic water level monitoring system , as well as a monitor for adjusting the spray angle . From a safety perspective , the tank has a three-point contact platform ladder and a guardrail around the water tank .
The loading platform cassette has platform dimensions of 1.75 m x 3.5 m and a loading capacity of 3 t . It also has shackle ports , a removable back cover and rod rack .
The BKOS front-basket truck is used for installation of mine infrastructure such as water pipes , service supplies , electricity , compressed air and internet devices . It can also carry out maintenance tasks and up-hole explosives and development charging .
The BKOS has a 500 kg capacity , is 1.95 m x 1.95 m in size , a maximum lifting height of 5.9 m , a ± 35 ° basket swing and a ± 5 ° basket tilt . These characteristics provide the same excellent manoeuvrability as other GHH utility vehicles , according to the company . In tramming position , the vehicle is 8.8-m long , 2.755-m tall and 2-m wide .
Effective operation of the BKOS front-basket truck is aided with a cabin-to-basket communication system , while the basket has automatic parallelism and conforms to EN 280 standards . It also has several safety devices fitted including a basket door with limit switch , manual emergency boom movement control , three emergency stop buttons ( including one on the basket ), as well as hydraulic support legs that open right and left . The latter includes a sensor system that disables collection of the
The BKOS front-basket truck is used for installation of mine infrastructure such as water pipes , service supplies , electricity , compressed air and internet devices
support legs until the basket is completely lowered .
The BKT Scaler , used primarily for secondary breaking and scaling of loose rock , meanwhile , has a length of 8.5 m , a height of 2.45 m and a width of 2 m . The maximum boom angle of 60 ° up and 10 ° down allows for a maximum height reach of almost 9 m and 1 m below ground level . The boom swing of 35 ° provides a working area of 5 m to either side , while the hydraulic breaker has a tip diameter of 80 mm , is built to exert pressures of 100-150 bar and has an operating weight of 300 kg . The breaker can be controlled safely from inside the operator ’ s compartment with excellent visibility and operator comfort , according to GHH .
Versatility and customisation
Scalers are also part of the offering from Germany-based PAUS , which has been supplying tailored solutions to the mining and tunnelling industry for almost 50 years .
This offering includes equipment to not only install infrastructure such as power supplies , water and ventilation to areas of the underground mine , but also dismantle and maintain it .
“ Construction , service , maintenance and also dismantling of such infrastructure requires additional platforms for the safe execution of these works ,” the company explained . The decision of which equipment to choose often comes down to the time and cost of setup , and the amount of time in which said equipment may obstruct roadways or production areas . It is for this reason the company has focused on providing solutions that , it says , are versatile , reliable and cost-effective .
PAUS ’ extensive and continuously growing product range now covers loaders , dumpers , scalers , graders , personnel carriers , purposebuilt special machinery , and a range of service vehicles able to integrate a variety of structures including mobile platforms .
Both telescopic platforms and scissor lifts are available , with all carriers
10 International Mining | MARCH 2022