With the introduction of the 220 SM/220 SMi surface miner, Wirtgen says it is unveiling a new machine designed especially for use in small and medium-sized mining operations as well as for routing work and infrastructure projects; while the new 220 SM 3.8/220 SMi 3.8 surface miner is designed specifically for soft-rock mining. Both machines feature the LEVEL PRO PLUS leveling system which has a proven track record in road construction and mining and is intuitive and easy to operate. A flat or inclined formation level can be created with absolute precision thanks to side plate scanning and the cross-slope sensor. The machine is also ready to be equipped with GPS or laser control.
The 220 SM 3.8/220 SMi 3.8 selectively mines raw materials up to a cutting depth of 350 mm and a uniaxial compressive strength of 35 MPa. Thanks to its 3.8 m wide cutting drum designed specifically for soft-rock, this compact surface miner “achieves maximum productivity at low operating costs and is perfect for use in small to large mining operations.”
With a cutting width of 2.2 m and a cutting depth of up to 300 mm, the 220 SM/220 SMi can extract raw materials up to a uniaxial compressive strength of 50 MPa. The extracted material is deposited behind the machine in a windrow and then loaded onto trucks with wheel loaders. Selective extraction makes it possible to mine raw materials with a high level of purity. The use of surface miners also reduces the amount of equipment, maintenance, and time required compared to drilling and blasting or rip-and-stack mining. In addition, refraining from drilling and blasting makes it possible to efficiently mine materials close to industrial sites and other infrastructure like pipelines or high-voltage power lines, which ultimately results in the optimized exploitation of the deposit. Thanks to its compact dimensions and smooth, hydraulic, all-track steering, the smallest Wirtgen surface miner has a tight turning radius, which is particularly beneficial in small mining fields.
The heart of the 220 SM/220 SMi is the optimised cutting drum unit. Specially designed for challenging windrow applications, the cutting drum turns the power delivered by the engine into maximum cutting power, and as a result, increased productivity. In this process, the high, narrow sides of the holder base ensure that material flows smoothly and energy consumption is kept to a minimum. This results in reduced wear and tear on the housing, holders, point-attack cutting tools, and scraper blade – even when mining hard, abrasive material. All of the 220 SM/220 SMi’s components are designed for extremely demanding open-cast mining applications. This also applies to the massive track units with strong dual-bar base plates for excellent advance, even in difficult conditions.
The safety of operating and maintenance personnel is the highest priority in open-cast mining. In the 220 SM/220 SMi ROPS/FOPS operator’s cabin, the operator is protected from external hazards. The cutting drum is easily and safely accessible from the rear through the scraper blade, which opens hydraulically. Pick changes are only carried out when the engine is off. Plenty of space to move, a hydraulic pick ejector, and a milling drum rotation device further simplify this process. Unintentionally switching on the miner can be prevented mechanically by locking the battery and starter isolator, which allows maintenance work to be carried out safely when the machine is shut down. The rear view camera offers excellent visibility for fast, safe maneuvering. When reversing, Reverse Assist offers the operator added support.
The 220 SM 3.8/220 SMi 3.8 also meets occupational safety requirements in surface mining thanks to the standard-equipped ROPS/FOPS operator’s cabin. The cabin features additional soundproofing and vibration isolation, allowing the operator to work for several hours without the risk of fatigue. The ergonomically designed and clearly arranged controls are integrated into the armrests of the driver’s seat, and all of the machine’s key functions are logically incorporated into the multifunctional joysticks. This means that the operator can operate the machine intuitively in just a few steps and fully concentrate on high-precision mining. The state-of-the-art, fully air-conditioned, large-capacity cabin also features generously sized windows, giving the operator a direct view of the cutting edge and with it, the results of their work.
