WHAT’S NEW

ELECTRIC TROLLEY TRUCK

Wagner Mining Equipment, now owned by Atlas Copco, has introduced a 350-hp electric trolley truck. The EMT-439, equipped with a 1,000- volt, 3-phase electric motor, has a payload capacity of 35.5 tonnes (or 19.9 cu metres heaped). It is the company’s second electric truck model.

Designed to operate with an overhead trolley suspended from the back, the truck is also capable of leaving the trolley area to load or dump. A 200-ft cable reel mounted on the front of the truck is released when it leaves the trolley area and retracts when the truck is back under the trolley.

Standard safety features include ground fault monitoring, overload protection and circuit breakers. The truck cannot dump until a predetermined amount of cable has been released from the cable reel.

Maximum recommended operating grade for the vehicle is 27% and dump height is 2.18 metres.

Thin Kerf Wireline System

After two years of testing in Timmins, Ont. and Val D’Or, Que., Longyear Canada has introduced a thin kerf wireline system for diamond drilling.

The new system combines thin kerf technology with the wireline method. This improves penetration rates while increasing the power efficiency in a diamond drilling machine, a company release says.

Advantages include: smaller bit cutting surface (by 13%), which increases core diameter; reduced rod weight (by 23% compared with aq wireline rods); increased rod life and an ability to interchange components with standard Q wireline systems.

Both underground and surface versions are available (in either Imperial or metric lengths).

Reverse Circulation Drill

A track-mounted reverse circulation drill rig weighing 18 tonnes is available from Northspan Explorations of Kelowna, B.C.

The unit has a drill pipe capacity of 150 metres (950 mm in diameter), but it can drill holes up to 300 metres deep at angles up to 45^o (deg) from the vertical.

The unit is powered by a 268-kW Detroit Diesel mounted on a JD 690 excavator-style carrier and has a capacity of 67 kN and a 106-kN pull-back capability.

Optional torques and hold-back capacities are available for depth capacity of 600 metres.

Nikon Theodolite

A 20-second-reading, electronic theodolite has been introduced by Nikon and Cansel Survey Equipment of Burnaby, B.C. Called the NE-20S, the unit offers fast, correct angle readings, simplified operation and faster setup and operating time. Features include a large lcd display; touch-key operation; 26-power telescope with a 36-mm objective aperture; and a battery life of 75 hours.

The display shows both horizontal and vertical angles simultaneously, with an accuracy of 20 seconds. The unit weighs 3.8 kg.

Articulated Truck

A 35-ton capacity, articulated hauler has been introduced by VME Americas of Cleveland, Ohio.

Powered by a Volvo TD 122 G 6-cylinder engine, the Volvo BM A35 is equipped with a microprocessor-controlled automatic powershift transmission; a unique 3-point, maintenance-free suspension system; and a centre-mounted operator’s cab.

X-ray Analyzer

An x-ray fluorescence analyzer, designed for conveyor applications, has been introduced by Outokumpu Equipment Canada.

The analyzer, mounted above a moving conveyor belt, measures the elemental concentrations of up to two elements in the material on the belt. Material may be either fine- or course-ground.

Measurements are taken at rates of up to 600 per minute.

Truck Weight

A fully electronic weighing pad with a capacity up to nine tonnes is available from Prairie Systems & Equipment of Saskatoon, Sask.

The unit, which weighs 20 kg, has an accuracy of plus or minus 1%. Up to six units can be coupled together for almost any application.

Long-track Dresser Dozer

A long-track version of an existing crawler tractor has been introduced by Dresser.

The new TD-20G LT’s track is 13 inches longer than the standard TD-20G model. The standard 6-roller track frame has been replaced by one with seven rollers.

Advantages include greater drawbar pull for improved dozing production; improved fore and aft stability; improved flotation on wet or muddy ground; and a more stable working structure.

Gear Motors

A shaft-mounted gear motor that is said to provide space and cost savings is available from Brauer Gear Motors of Mississauga, Ont.

The dust-proof and water-proof motors can be installed vertically, horizontally or else suspended. They also can be operated in either direction of rotation.

Lubricant needs to be checked only after three years of operation, the company says.

Watertight Pinch Valve

Pinch valves that operate under a maximum pressure of 100 bar are available from Finland-based Larox.

Applications include pumping of mine water, tailings or concentrate pipelines and inlet/outlet valves for high-pressure storage tanks.

The pinch valves, which are equipped with a rubber sleeve, outlast metallic valves and ball valves, the company says. Whereas metal valves leak with the slightest wear, the rubber sleeve remains watertight.

Rubber sleeves can be replaced easily on site.

Soft-ground Directional Drill

A directional drilling tool that drills 160-mm-diameter holes in soft and consolidated soils using high-pressure water is being marketed by Diamant Boart Craelius.

Called the Terrabor, the unit can drill guided horizontal holes up to 120 metres long and seven metres deep to provide pathways for utility cables and pipes.

A pilot hole 33 mm in diameter is drilled first. Then, without removing the flush-jointed aluminum drill rods, a reaming head and the utility cable are attached to the end of the drill rods and are pulled back toward the drilling unit.

The pilot hole can be directed around obstacles, thanks to information gathered from a navigational system that tells the location and depth of the drill head.