CAT R1700 Archives - International Mining

Caterpillar says it has cut underground LHD bucket maintenance time and increased loading flexibility with the introduction of its new Durilock™ Lip Shroud System for underground loader buckets.

The fully integrated bucket system features hammerless installation and maintenance-free retention of ground engaging tools (GET) with Cat Infinitite™ elastomer compression retainers. Three interchangeable shroud styles enable a mining operation to quickly remove one type and replace with the type best suited to the loader application – without changing the base edge or retention system.

Durilock delivers 50% faster installation and removal of GET compared with legacy, mechanically attached systems, Cat says, and, because there is no need to re-torque bolts periodically, maintenance time for GET is reduced by more than 50%. Additionally, integral corner guards extend bucket in-service time by about 30%.

The Durilock Shroud System is available for Cat R1700 to R3000 loaders and most buckets of 5-10 cu.m capacity.

The Cat Infinitite retention design provides superior retention reliability without time spent performing re-torque procedures, according to Cat. The elastomer compression retainer installs in seconds to allow fast installation and removal, while there is no complex hardware to fail, handle or tighten.

The Durilock system offers three different shroud styles to match the GET to the application and conditions in the mine. The D50S Standard is a traditional wedge shape used in most production and development applications. The D50A Abrasion has a contoured design and repositions more material on the shroud base, and the D50P Penetration has less leading-edge material to deliver easier penetration in dense material.

The lip assembly provides the mounting surfaces for the shrouds and corner protectors, which balance corner and centre station wear rates. Cast corners are welded to the base edge assembly to create the lip assembly. The corners incorporate a stepped design that eliminates corner shroud torsional loads and delivers superior reliability, according to Cat. The integral corner design boosts corner life by 15%, Cat claims, and improves penetration as compared with systems that experience corner erosion and shortened bucket life due to corner rounding.

“With the addition of Durilock, Caterpillar has a complete portfolio of GET products that are designed to meet the unique and challenging requirements of any underground mine,” the company said.

RCT says it has successfully commissioned Evolution Mining’s underground LHD fleet at the Mungari gold mine with RCT’s proprietary ControlMaster® automation technology.

The project has transformed Evolution Mining’s underground loader fleet away from its previous teleremote provider in favour of RCT’s fully-autonomous technology solution, RCT says.

RCT installed and commissioned its ControlMaster Guidance Automation solution onto one CAT R2900 underground loader and one CAT R1700 underground loader at the Mungari operation in Western Australia’s Goldfields.

RCT supplied two Automation Centres located at designated work zones within the mine fitted with G-Dash and provides the operators with real-time, graphical machine data.

The project also involved installing a communications network, critical spares parts and a specialised RCT parts cabinet, according to the company.

Ryan Noden, RCT Business Development Manager Mining, said he was pleased RCT had continued to build on its existing relationship with Evolution Mining.

“RCT’s automation solution was previously established at one of Evolution Mining’s other projects and is now helping the Mungari operation further optimise production capabilities,” Noden said.

“We have been working with Evolution Mining for the past few months planning the transition to RCT’s automation solution that will deliver strong productivity gains.

“Our ControlMaster Guidance Automation technology sets Evolution Mining onto a pathway to full mine digitisation with the ability to scale our technology as the mine develops and introduce the latest technology upgrades when required.

“Mungari will receive on-ground technical support through our branch in Kalgoorlie backed by a team of highly experienced automation specialists.”

A spokesperson for Evolution Mining said: “Evolution Mining has seen a dramatic reduction in remote-related machine damage and a huge improvement in operator comfort and workplace enjoyment. It’s wonderful to see Evolution Mining providing state-of-the-art facilities for its employees.”

RCT will also empower site personnel with comprehensive on-site training packages for machine operators and maintenance personnel, it said.

Cat cuts GET maintenance time with Durilock Lip Shroud System for underground LHDs

RCT helps Evolution Mining transition to fully-autonomous operations at Mungari