Tag Archives: 796 AC

Bravus to employ SMW Group Ultrahaul truck trays on Carmichael Cat 796 AC fleet

Coal technology, Equipment maintenance, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bravus Mining & Resources has awarded contracts worth more than A$3 million ($2.2 million) to Rockhampton-based SMW Group for a series of new Ultrahaul mine truck trays and a bore field maintenance program.

Bravus Mining & Resources CEO, David Boshoff, said Bravus was keen to capitalise on SMW Group’s 20 years of experience servicing central Queensland’s coal fields.

“There’s an extensive mining services knowledge base in our region, and it has always been our intention to use this and work with businesses based in central Queensland wherever possible,” Boshoff said.

“The Ultrahaul tray is a class-leading product for mine haul trucks that SMW Group has developed specifically for the central Queensland coal industry. The trays are tailored for our fleet of Cat 796 AC haul trucks and will help to maximise production and improve operational efficiency.

“We have been impressed by SMW Group’s willingness to work with us to get the product right for our operations and look forward to seeing the results of this relationship over time.”

SMW Group Chief Operating Officer, Frank Humphreys, said that the contract was a great result for the company and central Queensland manufacturing.

“Securing a contract to supply Ultrahaul trays to the Carmichael Project is a great outcome for SMW Group and is a vote of confidence for central Queensland’s mining services industry,” Humphreys said.

“We are excited to be involved with a high-profile operation like the Carmichael Project.”

Boshoff said the contract would have direct benefits for Mackay and Rockhampton, bolstering the local economies against the impacts of COVID restrictions.

“Having this level of manufacturing capacity in our region is a huge boost, because we can continue to grow our fleet and ramp up operations with minimal impact from COVID induced restrictions and border closures,” he said.

“We are proud to have made good on our promises to Queensland, and especially regional Queensland. We have created more than 2,600 jobs and signed more than $2.2 billion in contracts.

“More than 88% of our contracts are being delivered in Queensland. This work has been spread across all corners of the state to give as many regions as possible the opportunity to benefit from our project, while also enabling us to tap into the highly-skilled construction and resources industry workforce that Queensland possesses.

“We are ramping up our mining fleet and construction on the Coal Handling and Processing Plant is well underway. We are excited to be so close to delivering on our promise to ship first coal this year.”

Caterpillar, Barloworld to talk up mining equipment and power solutions at Indaba

Automation, Communications in mining, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Caterpillar and its southern Africa dealer, Barloworld Equipment, are set to present a broad range of machines, technology and support services at next week’s Mining Indaba, in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Caterpillar exhibit at Indaba, running from February 3-6, will feature digital displays of electric power generation systems, surface and underground mining equipment, and Cat MineStar™ technology capabilities – ranging from vehicle safety systems, such as operator fatigue monitoring, to production systems using teleremote, semi-autonomous and autonomous machine operation.

Caterpillar has recently introduced several new underground hard-rock mining vehicles in Africa. The new R1700 underground LHD brings the latest technology for semi-autonomous and fully autonomous operation to the region. The loader also delivers more than 30% greater fuel efficiency, 65% more lift and tilt force, and 15 t capacity – 20% more than its predecessor, yet in the same dimensional envelope, according to Cat.

Using MineStar Command for underground, the new R1700 (pictured) can be operated from a remote location to keep miners away from potential hazards, Cat says. “The system also boosts utilisation by allowing immediate entry after blasting and by reducing shift change time to nearly zero.”

In addition to the R1700, Caterpillar has introduced several LHDs and underground trucks equipped with EU Stage V engines and emission controls. “Reducing emissions helps miners improve the underground working environment,” it said. On top of this, and with the goal of zero underground emissions in mind, Caterpillar is continuing to develop the battery-powered R1700 XE.

Erik Elsmark, Region Manager for the Caterpillar Underground Mining Division, said: “Caterpillar and Cat dealers are supporting the whole African continent and all types of underground mining applications – big and small mines and all minerals.

“In the past several months we have delivered machines covering our full product range, demonstrating that we are well positioned to meet our customers’ needs.

“Starting with our AD22 underground articulated truck to our R2900 LHD, our equipment delivers exactly the size class and power needed for the application. With distribution centres in Southern Africa and Middle East and our dealer network in all countries of the African continent, we are able to achieve world-class service.”

The extensive line of Cat surface mining machines and technologies will also be a talking point at the event.

Caterpillar has recently expanded its line of electric drive mining trucks in the past year to include the 794 AC, 796 AC and 798 AC. Recently, a South Africa mining operation took delivery of several 794 AC trucks (pictured above), which have 291 t capacity, the company said. “This model has already proven its high productivity and superior speed on grade in a wide variety of applications,” Cat remarked.

In the Cat drill line, the latest model is the MD6200 rotary blasthole drill, designed as a production drill with the flexibility to do pre-split drilling – all in a package that Caterpillar says is its most transportable rotary drill yet. The MD6200 is designed to perform rotary or DTH drilling in single-pass or multi-pass modes and can drill holes of 127 to 200 mm in diameter, according to Cat.

Cat MineStar Command now includes systems for autonomous operation of mining trucks, semi-autonomous operation of dozers, and semi-autonomous as well as autonomous rotary drills. These systems enhance safety, boost production and lower cost per tonne, Cat says.

Mine power experts will also be on call at the show, with the representatives keen to talk about the ability for Cat generators to deliver reliable, continuous power, temporary power, or a combined heat and power solution. “The Cat team customises and installs systems for every phase of mining,” it said.

Caterpillar says it offers the industry’s widest range of diesel, gas and dual fuel generator sets; automatic transfer switches, and switchgear for seamless integration. Additionally, it offers microgrids, fully-integrated power systems that utilise solar panels, energy storage and monitoring and control systems in conjunction with any configuration of Cat gen sets.

Caterpillar talks up its new ultra-class electric drive mining trucks

Automation, Base metals, Coal technology, Energy minerals, Equipment maintenance, Industrial minerals, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining safety, Precious metals, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , ,

Caterpillar has announced more details on the two new ultra-class mining trucks to join its portfolio, the Cat 798 AC and Cat 796 AC.

IM was on site in Tinaja Hills, Arizona, to witness the grand unveiling and saw the 798 AC in action.

The company said the decision to add the new models was based on providing its customers with more options at the highest end of its payload scale regarding electric or mechanical drive.

The 798 AC features a 372 t payload and joins the mechanical-drive Cat® 797F in the 400-short-ton size class. The 797F has been a popular choice with more than 1,000 sold to the oil sands, copper, coal and iron ore markets.

The electric-drive 796 AC delivers 326-tonne (360-ton) payload. With Cat deciding the 795 AC will not being offered in Tier 4 Final configuration, the 796 AC is likely to act as a replacement in regions where engine emissions are highly regulated, such as the US and Canada.

When comparing field test data of the 795F and 798 AC, the new and larger model was shown to carry, on average, carry 12.9% more payload, boost productivity by 17.2% and exhibit 4% faster cycle times.

Cat’s Jeff Castleman, in charge of new product introduction in the large mining trucks range, said at the truck unveiling the company was able to move from design to production in the field with the 798 AC in just one year.

It was able to achieve this as the machine is based off the old Unit Rig MT6300 AC design, a product line that came with the 2011 acquisition of Bucyrus.

Cat says both trucks will be available in June quarter of 2019, but IM understands two 798 ACs have been undergoing trials at Arch Coal’s Black Thunder coal mine in Wyoming, US, for close to six months, an operation that formerly used at least one MT6300 AC.

While the company expects the mechanical drive 797F to remain a leader in the Canadian oil sands sector – around a third of sales have been to this market segment – studies comparing the two showed the new 798 AC could more than hold its own when it comes to hauling on grade and getting out of the sticky underfoot conditions sometimes present at these mines. This is also backed up by the fact two MT6300 ACs previously operated in the Canadian oil sands.

The design of the new trucks focuses on delivering class-leading payload, high reliability and simple serviceability, Cat says. These attributes are built on the frame and chassis design proven in 18 million hours of legacy truck operation and now used by the Cat 794 AC.

The AC powertrain of each of the two new trucks draws from the Cat 795 AC and Cat 794 AC, which have been operating successfully for about 5 million hours. The electric drive is developed and manufactured by Caterpillar and is the single source for the entire powertrain, a key selling point of the truck when it comes to serviceability and operation in the field.

The Cat C175-16 diesel engine powers both trucks. With more than 21 million hours of operation in mobile equipment and power generation, the engine can be configured to meet US EPA Tier 4 Final emissions regulations and offers a choice of 2,610 kW (3,500 hp) or 2,312 kW (3,100 hp) to meet the mine’s needs.

“To further adapt to the mine, software changes can adjust system power to help meet production targets or to work smoothly in mixed fleets,” Cat says.

Both truck models are designed to minimise empty machine weight, as configured in the field, enabling the 798 AC to carry its class-leading payload of 372 t and to haul more material each cycle on 59/80R63 tyres.

Both new trucks feature four-corner, oil-cooled disc brakes as well as dynamic braking for stable handling and fast stopping. Superior retarding capability, blended braking and the Cat Traction Control System help boost productivity and enhance safety.

The Cat AC drive is a high voltage system (2,600 volts) that operates at lower current than most competitors’ systems. When combined with full integration of the power train, the result is lower heat generation, smaller and lighter components, and longer component life.

In terms of the trucks’ body design, the Cat High Efficiency body is sized and configured to meet the specific needs of the mine, dictated by fragmentation, abrasion, cohesion and the loading tool. The curved floor, front, and canopy strengthen the entire body, which is integral to the truck. The body is sized to meet the payload requirements without compromising vehicle balance, braking or control.

Open engine access and service platforms ease maintenance tasks, with the modular design allowing easy removal and installation of components. The engine, traction alternator, motors, inverter, grid and final drives can be removed independently, again speeding up maintenance tasks.

Traction alternator and optional inverter platforms allow for easier inspections, diagnostics and component swaps. The result is less service time and greater uptime, Cat says.