Fairchild International

As the creator of the coal mining industry’s first proven alternating current variable-frequency drive-powered scoop, Fairchild International is taking it a step further.

It is offering AC technology in its 35C series scoop line with both single and dual tram models available to cover a wide range of mining applications. There also is an OEM retrofit direct current to AC VFD rebuild program.

Fairchild says key advantages of the AC VFD-powered scoop line include greater machine torque, increased tram speeds, lower electrical drive heat for reduced motor and cable maintenance costs and twice the battery life of traditional 128-volt DC powered scoops.

Additional attributes include the vehicle’s heavy-duty steel frame designed to withstand the harshest conditions, larger bucket capacity, an expanded operator’s compartment to allow easier entry and exit, an adjustable canopy with back protection and John Deere 1400 series inboard planetary axles with wet disc service brakes and exclusive assisted wet park brake system.

Visitors to Fairchild’s stand at SME are welcome to enquire about any of its products, including continuous miners, haulage systems, a wide range of DC and AC VFD-powered battery utility scoops, a variety of permissible and non-permissible diesel powered utility scoops and tractors, longwall shield haulers and maintenance vehicles.

Becker Wholesale Mine Supply

Mine communications and tracking supplier Becker Wholesale Mine Supply has several products available through its distributors including ExOne, OTN Systems and Vital Alert as well as recent additions Strata Proximity Systems, Kutta and Conspec.

One of the latest partnerships, Conspec, has the company’s entire product line including its Smart Head line and Senturion atmospheric monitoring and SCADA process control software.

In late 2011, BWMS teamed up ExOne to bring the mining industry the best in additive manufacturing and advanced micromachining to the industry.

BWMS says the teaming offers time and money savings through a more efficient process of spare and replacement part production and mold creation with significantly shorter lead times.

The company will also have its other communications and safety products on display, including the Becker Node, the Varis Becker leaky feeder system, Venture Design’s MineTracer and its line of Kenwood radios.

Service staff will be on hand at SME to answer any questions or demonstrate any of its wide range of products.

Caterpillar

Caterpillar Global Mining and Cat dealers are making a bold claim. Namely, no other manufacturer can offer what Caterpillar does – an unparalleled range of equipment and technologies for all types of surface and underground mining.

With the acquisition of Bucyrus in 2011, this is no idle boast.

These days, Caterpillar surface mining machines include hydraulic and electric shovels, draglines and blasthole drills in addition to the proven Cat line of mining trucks, wheel loaders, track-type tractors, motor graders, articulated trucks, wheel-tractor scrapers and other support equipment.

For underground coal and soft rock mining, Caterpillar offers complete lines of longwall equipment – roof supports, armored face conveyors, shearers and plows – and room-and-pillar mining equipment including continuous miners and haulers.

For underground hard rock mining, Cat has loaders, trucks and drills.

Additionally, the Cat highwall miner is available to mine exposed coal seams and to economically recover coal without removing the overlying overburden.

Similarly, the Cat MineStar system provides technology solutions for both surface and underground mining, ranging from grade control to driverless machine operation.

Cat says its belt systems and belt products take on the world’s toughest jobs in both underground and surface mining applications.

The versatile pre-engineered solutions are said to be mobile, modular and flexible – easily transported for use in different areas of the mine.

The engineered systems are designed in partnership with customers to meet their specific requirements.

Both systems are supported by an experienced team of engineers to supervise installation.

Richwood

Effective belt cleaning equipment is more important than ever but knowing what to specify for the job is still a complicated and sometimes confusing task.

Responding to industry demand, the Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association is working to develop a standard to make the process simpler and more straightforward.

The new standard promises to reduce trial and error in the cleaner selection process and give end users and system designers a more direct path to success in getting the belt cleaners they need.

For more information be sure to attend the seminar at SME this February.

Superior Industries

Conveyor systems and components maker Superior Industries has released what it claims is the market’s first ever primary and secondary belt cleaning system – sharing the same, common mounting point.

With one pole, maintenance workers can avoid adding to their conveyor’s structure, a common task to accommodate secondary cleaners.

Another key feature is the Exterra SFL dual belt cleaner’s unique tensioning system.

The patented design creates a pressure that is set once, for the life of the blade, during installation.

The Exterra SFL is designed to nearly eliminate material carry-back from the top cover of conveyor belting after it passes over the head pulley.

When left unchecked, carry-back causes material build-up on idlers, pulleys and other components – a problem that causes mistracking or belt damage.

More importantly, carry-back creates unwanted fugitive material piles under the conveyor.

The primary scraper is equipped with Superior’s Exterra primary belt cleaner.

Packed with more urethane, the blade is claimed to have one of the bulkiest profiles of any primary scraper on the market.

Mounted to the same pole as the primary, the secondary cleaner is available in either abrasion-resistant steel or tungsten carbide.

It is designed with segmented blades to withstand vibration and impact from belt splices during operation.

Superior designs and builds its Exterra SFL dual belt cleaner to accommodate head pulleys with diameters of 12 inches to 20in and belt widths of 18in to 60in.

The company says later this year it plans to expand the one-time tensioning unit to accommodate pulley diameters up to 30in.

Check out more companies appearing on the show floor for SME 2012 Seattle in our third and final installment in Friday’s International Longwall News.