Bis, a leading provider of production services to the resources sector, says it is continuing to innovate with the invention of an underground grader for the coal sector, which has been designed to be safer, more productive and agile. Aptly named Razor, the cutting edge machine has been developed by Bis’ Tomago based Underground Services team, with the grader the first in a pipeline of new innovative products that Bis has planned for the sector.

Bis Chief Executive Brad Rogers said Razor harnessed the talent and experience of the Bis team and reflected the company’s commitment to partnering with its customers: understanding their needs, then developing bespoke solutions that add value to their operations. “Razor has been designed with miners, for miners and is born from our deep understanding of the coal industry. We own the nation’s largest underground hire fleet as well as a capable and experienced underground workforce in our UGM business, with operations across New South Wales and Queensland,” Rogers said.

Bis General Manager Mark Doyle said the grader has more tractive effort, increased power, is safer for the operator and has been designed for more uptime. “The concept for Razor started within underground by looking at existing machines and talking to grader operators to understand how we could design a better product – all the way from performance to changing the cab ergonomics to improve comfort,” Doyle said. “Increasing safety was at the forefront of the design process.”

The key features of Razor include:

• 55% greater engine power than comparable machines
• Four gears rather than three, giving greater flexibility on difficult ground
• The operator compartment layout improves access to all controls and provides greater visibility of the blade and steering tyres
• Access to the cab from both sides
• Improved structural/fatigue integrity of the chassis
• The braking system incorporates dual SAHR emergency/park brakes directly coupled to the rear drive wheels for increased safety and reliability.

Razor is currently on a customer roadshow across New South Wales and Queensland. Upon returning to Newcastle it will be put to work at a local underground coal mine.

In the last twelve months, Bis has expanded its large footprint in the Underground sector through the acquisition of leading businesses UGM and Jaxam, who specialise in diesel repairs and servicing, fabrication and overhauls.

The development of Razor follows the invention of Bis’ revolutionary dump truck Rexx. Since its launch in October last year, Bis says the versatile hauler has shone in trials and assignments at nickel, gold and now coal operations. A second Rexx is now being built by Bis for deployment into an ongoing commercial haulage contract.