Deutz AG, headquartered in Cologne, Germany is a global powertrain supplier covering diesel, gas, hybrid and electric, and is a leading supplier of engines for underground mining equipment. Paul Moore caught up with Shane Nugent, Business Development Manager: Mining, Construction, Rental & GSE at Deutz Corporation Americas, to get some insight into its position in the mining market and why its engines have been so successful
Q Your engines are used widely underground – but what is it about Deutz engines that makes them perform well in underground conditions and what makes them preferred over other options?
Deutz as a company was established in 1864 and is now the world’s oldest engine company and one of the world’s leading independent engine manufacturers. That history and independence combined with flexibility in engine design, a diversified product line up to 620 kW, options for cooling systems (air, oil, water) and customised engineering all mean that Deutz is a leading supplier to underground mining and a company that both small and large underground equipment OEMs can turn to.
Q Is it fair to say you are a market leader in underground mining engine sales?
Deutz is definitely a market leader for underground powertrain solutions. When I visit mines here in North America I always look for the mine equipment manager and talk about how many Deutz engines they are using. Deutz is always in the 40-60% range of total engines underground and the feedback I get is that the reliability of Deutz engines is among the best and also how easy they are to work on.
Q In terms of market share and sales what size of engine in litres would you say dominates the underground space – is it linked to a particular size class of LHD or truck being the most popular?
It is not necessarily related to one particular LHD or truck class but there is a clear division by mining segment. Coal mining is dominated by sub-7 litre engines while metallic and non-metallic (industrial minerals) mines use a broader range of 5 litre to 13 litre engine sizes.
Q How do different underground mining applications affect engine choice and configuration?
Deutz engines are very versatile and can handle any type of stationary or moving situation. Duty cycle, mine ambient temperature and dust determine the engine size, configuration and options which Deutz is able to handle through our extensive network of reliable suppliers.
Q What has been your strategy in terms of EPA Tier levels and MSHA regulation with your underground mining engines offering?
Deutz still manufactures new Tier 2 and 3 engines and many of those are MSHA approved. Here in North America, Deutz also offers Deutz Xchange for all Tier 2,3, and 4 engines as long as a core is turned in for replacement. Deutz Xchange is a full tear down of a Deutz engine and rebuild with Deutz only parts and 300 point inspection. The Xchange engine also comes with a full 3 year new warranty to give that customer the peace of mind in purchasing. Deutz Tier 3 engines come with common rail fuel injection, advanced electronics and the addition of an EGR system. Deutz Tier 4 has continued advanced electronics, refined fuel injection and an EAT (Exhaust After Treatment) system. Air-cooled engines have discontinued with Tier 4 technology.
Q Is Deutz actively involved in the battery electric powertrain revolution in underground mining?
Our E-Deutz strategy complements our range of low-emission combustion engines with electric and hybrid drive systems, and the off-highway sector, including mining, is a very important part of this. Since we launched the new strategy in 2017/2018 we have made progress within Deutz and also through acquisitions of technology companies like Torqeedo and Futavis. We are now actively working with construction OEMs and a couple of construction prototypes that have been built. The underground mining segment has also expressed interest and we are exploring options with several mining equipment OEMs. At CONExpo 2020 we showed an all-electric JLG telescopic handler concept, the G5-18A, which has a compact 360 volt drive system using a split drive comprising two 40 kW electric motors – one for driving and one for the hydraulics in the telescopic arm.
Q Have you been involved in any repowering of underground mining fleets and can you give an example?
Our dealer in Sparks, Illinois, Shaw Heavy Equipment has been retrofitting a fleet of over 30 underground scalers and charge rigs at one of Doe Run Company’s Southeast Missouri Mining & Milling Division lead mines near Joplin, Missouri. Several different OEM engine types were replaced with the Deutz BF4M1013FC with a 118 KW rating and Tier 2 MSHA approved. The customer has been convinced by how well the Deutz product has outlasted the original OEM engines and how little maintenance is required.
Q Are there any notable global underground equipment OEMs that have chosen to use Deutz that you would highlight?
Normet, the large Finnish underground OEM supplying scalers personnel carriers, shotcreting vehicles, explosive chargers and utility machine has locations all over the world and chose Deutz engines as an option in their product line due to customer demand and the quality, delivery performance, and cost competitiveness that a product like the Deutz engine offers. Normet works closely with Deutz to develop and deliver the best possible solutions to its customers globally. Erik Hopperton, Senior Sales Rep here in North America for Normet, has been in the mining industry for over 20 years and has seen Deutz engines perform and has nothing but praise for them.
