Bucyrus will use Bauma 2010, to be held April 19-23 in Munich, to announce a new generation of its successful shearer family. The Electra 3000 Evo has kept many of the design features of its predecessors with a few refinements.
The ranging arm has been re-engineered to make it more compact, increasing power density and minimising disruption of material flow on the armoured face conveyor.
The downdrive – which is also fully modular and easy to access for maintenance – has also been redesigned to reduce maintenance time.
While the shearer will not be exhibited at the show, Bucyrus will have videos and displays on its stand.
On display will be a Bucyrus roof support headed for the Narrabri mine. The support can be retrofitted for longwall top coal caving and has a support capacity of 1362 tonnes and is controlled by PMC-R.
As well as conforming to MDG 41 safety regulations, the Narrabri roof support features video camera system for visual control of the entire face; DN32 hydraulics; height measurement with inclinometers; and new 500mm props for a high shield capacity.
Also on display will be the PF4, PF6 and PF6H line pans. The PF4 is designed to convey 1800 tonnes per hour and the PF6 6000tph.
On display for the first time will be the PF6H, designed specifically for the wear and tear of high-seam operations of 6m-plus.
The PF6H has been engineered to support heavier shearers (deadweight greater than 140t), future chain generations (52+) and Jumbotrack 3000 haulage system.
The PF4/932 line pan features high-profile thickness from end to top; four welds on each side of the pan and only one weld on each side in wear area to maximise deckplate width; rounded profiles for minimum contact pressure and power requirements; quadruple-profile design with profile thickness 28mm from end to end; and dog bone pockets welded in from the outside without weakening the profiles.
Features of the PF6/1142 line pan include a unique patented trough concept; separation of components subject to wear from structural parts; rugged pan design; robot-welding ensuring standardized welds; automatic weld removal for trough replacement; and a longer service life.
The PF6H/1542 line pan features exchangeable trough; wear-resistant deckplate; exchangeable bottom race wear plates; bottom race designed to suit future chain generations 52+, new Jumbotrack shearer haulage system; improved pocket strength; shear force staken by shear pins; and additional base frame taking the loads from the shearer.
Also on display will be Bucyrus’s power chain, Intelligent CST drive systems and PMC family with special focus on the VibraGuard.
The PMC-D/V AFC and plow drive control system have been upgraded to provide vibration monitoring to protect underground mining equipment. Called VibraGuard, this system allows trained personnel to predict machine component wear, avoid unplanned downtime, and set alarms to warn the operator if monitored machine components run the risk of damage.
The complete VibraGuard package – including PMC-D/20, vibration sensors and the software – is only available for Bucyrus underground mining systems and is currently available for AFC, BSL and crusher. It is also applicable for plow systems.
VibraGuard will be made available for other equipment, such as shearers, belt systems, fans and continuous miners, in the near future.
Also on display will be EXALON and Steel Rolls, and idler structures for belt conveyor systems in metric size.
A new shaft-end configuration for the Bucyrus Steel Roll allows retrofitting to virtually any competitor’s frame with a unique retrofit adaptor. The end cap (bearing housing) has been redesigned for increased strength and a close fit to the deflector cap.
The new automated assembly process includes three separate, metered grease inputs to ensure every roll has plenty of grease for a lifetime of trouble-free operation.
A range of surface equipment will also be on display.
