Published in March 2010 Australian Longwall Magazine

The Coaltram’s clean-burning low-emission electronically controlled engine is a large technological leap for the industry. The engine and other onboard systems are managed and continuously monitored by intelligent explosion protected electronics.

These electronics are interfaced to the operators and maintenance people through numerous basic and simple-to-understand display screen pages.

Manufactured in Beresfield near Newcastle Australia by the Anderson Group with global support from Atlas Copco Sweden, the Coaltram is available in 10-tonne and 13-tonne models. Additional size models and variations to the front frame to change the vehicle configuration are underway, driven by market demand and customer involvement.

The Coaltram represents the latest in Articulated Diesel-Powered LHD/Utility vehicle designs.

Three Coaltram CT10s were first purchased by Donaldson Coal’s Abel mine in mid-2009, while another five Coaltrams have since been delivered to five different local mining operations.

Customers include Xstrata Coal and BHP Billiton, while both Centennial Coal and Peabody are engaged in the product’s future with trials scheduled for early this year.

DMS, via its subsidiary company Anderson Group of Companies, also boasts 10 Coaltrams in its hire fleet and these are available for short-term hire trials or long-term engagements.

The vehicle’s layout and design come from engineers and tradesmen who have operated and maintained LHDs for decades in the local industry.

Atlas Copco’s global network of engineering and expertise was also actively involved in the product to ensure it is well suited and compliant to the international market.

“It wasn’t designed off the drawing board by office-based designers, it was actually done by people who have been in the mining industry that have used these types of vehicles in the past 20-30 years,” Anderson Group’s Coaltram department manager Craig Anderson said.

“All the issues from a reliability point of view, a maintenance point of view, and safety and ergonomics were taken on board for the Coaltram project.

“Designs were completed on the vehicle to ensure we have a product that is explosion protected to all the latest local and international standards, therefore it’s extremely safe and reliable with very low exhaust emissions.

“Reliability, ease of maintenance, operator acceptance, ergonomics and cost of ownership were a key focus in the design risk assessment stages.”

Anderson said the Atlas Copco frames and boom component designs on the Coaltram have been used for the past eight years, and have proven successful and reliable in the underground hard rock industry.

Existing customers and potential customers were and still are being extensively consulted and involved in the Coaltram’s designs and future directions, from vehicle operators and engineers to mine managers who have visited the Coaltram facility to provide input.

DMS has the key product designs and market advantages of the Coaltram vehicle secured with several patented designs.

A zero-pressure engine coolant header tank is featured on the vehicle and it is the first underground coal diesel utility vehicle with full split cap trunnion frame designs.

Anderson said the Coaltram’s engine, transmission and hydraulic cooling systems – which are always a focus point on this type of equipment – were far superior to other systems.

Other new technology includes the strategic fitting of an explosion protected exhaust test port which ensures the Coaltram remains flame proof even if the sealing cap is accidentally left off after performing a raw gas test.

The vehicle is also designed so tradespersons can have easy access for maintenance work and are able to perform all routine work from ground level.

The cabin design allows operators to fully extend their legs while operating, and the upholstery padding inside the cabin reduces noise and provides more operator comfort.

The Coaltram already meets both Australian and international design and safety standards, and carries various levels of regional approvals to operate in the hazardous, potentially explosive, environments found in underground coal mines.

Anderson said new legislative changes were underway in Australia relating to this type of mobile plant, with government regulators pushing to remove and retire some potentially unsafe older technology.

He added there was excellent industry feedback on the Coaltrams, especially with its performance, reliability, comfort and ergonomics.

Two Coaltrams have been exported to China for the international product launch, and Atlas Copco is receiving numerous overseas enquiries from the Asian nation as well as Russia, Indonesia and South Africa.

The business strategy is to get vehicles out locally to try and consolidate the domestic market before going international, and making a hire fleet available in Australia has really started paying dividends.

“It’s a very hard industry to crack if you don’t have vehicles they can trial before purchasing,” Anderson said.

Diversified Mining Services via its subsidiary company Anderson Group of Companies is expecting to produce an additional 20-30 Coaltrams in 2010, with lead times at about 14 weeks.

Update: Additional Coaltram sales were made to Donaldson Coal and BHP subsidiary Illawarra Coal right after publication.