Fletcher coal products sales manager Ben Hardman told International Longwall News the new unit was designed for various seam heights to fit the needs of any operation.

“In the past, workers hefted large beam components into position manually, holding them stationary until they could be bolted together,” he said.

“After several beams had been set, they were fastened together using connector bars and corrugated metal panels [and], finally, grout or concrete would be pumped around the metal to make a sealed structure. To manage these operations, miners had to climb around the structures with tools and materials, maneuvering them into position.”

Listening to feedback and input from customer mines seeking to eliminate heavy lifting and awkward positioning, the company developed the electric-over-hydraulically powered Fletcher Beam Setter.

The initial design, which was manufactured and later delivered to M-Class Mining in Illinois in August 2008, was for a 12-foot seam height and did not have a platform. After some use, Hardman said, a request was made to engineer a lifting platform for operators to reach needed areas in a safe manner.

The second unit, delivered to Patton Mining in Illinois last September, was for an 18ft operating height.

“With the new machine, beams can be pre-assembled, trammed to the installation site and lifted into position by the operator, located in the tram deck, under a canopy,” Hardman noted.

“Next, workers can move to a powered platform while installing connectors and panels, and pumping the sealer. Exposure to injury is decreased, while productivity is improved.”

The beam setter is built on a small face drill chassis, utilizing a small face drill boom which swings, lifts and extends. Accurate beam positioning is achieved by two 360-degree rotary actuators and workers remain stable as the unit’s platform lifts, tilts and extends.

Operators can also easily travel from platform to tram deck using Fletcher’s walk-over deck design.

Fletcher’s unit is now commercially available everywhere for all operating heights and needs.