product news
58
06.13
Cat medium size track-type tractors are used
in all types of underfoot conditions, which
tests the limits of their undercarriage struc-
tural reliability, wear life, and sealability.
In response, Caterpillar’s Heavy Duty Track
is designed to meet the needs of T, R, N, and
H-Series units in this machine class. This
track system is strong enough for aggressive
impact applications, yet has the necessary
wear material for long life in abrasive condi-
tions.
As Barloworld Equipment group product
specialist Deon Delport explains, Heavy Duty
Track is more than just an enhancement of
Caterpillar’s conventional Sealed and Lubri-
cated Track (SALT). “This is an updated de-
sign, featuring redesigned links, pins, and
bushings that significantly offset the effects
of high impact loads and stresses. Addi-
tionally, 20 % more wear material has been
added to the links for increased wear life.”
(Barloworld Equipment is the Cat dealer for
Southern Africa.)
Combined structural and wear life en-
Stepping up the in-house manufacture of
its mobile mining units (MMUs) is helping
leading explosives supplier BME to further
improve its client service levels and market
penetration around Africa.
BME has been custom-building MMUs to
its own designs since 1986, using its own fa-
cilities as well as outsourcing its manufactur-
ing needs to keep up with demand.
“Our rapid growth into African markets has
given us the opportunity to bring more ca-
pacity to manufacture in-house,” said Tinus
Strauss, Senior Manager (Operations). “We
have also streamlined our processes so that
High Power Equipment (HPE) Africa – the sole
Southern African distributor for internation-
ally recognised crushing, screening and re-
cycling equipment manufacturer McCloskey
International – has introduced the company’s
new 516RT trommel in South Africa.
HPE Africa McCloskey representative Alan
Straw notes that the tracked 516RT combines
larger capacities and increased mobility to
provide highly efficient materials process-
ing for numerous industries. “Enhancements
made based on feedback have led the com-
pany to include even more customer focused
features to the newest member of its 516
product line,” he explains.
The 516RT boasts a heavy duty chassis
with four independent stabiliser jack legs,
integrated hydraulic folding conveyors and
a radial conveyor with a 180 degree swing
that delivers a 4,13 m stockpile height. Straw
adds: “Powered by a Cat C4.4 100 hp engine,
the 516RT features an oversized hydraulic
BME steps up manufacture of MMUs
BME has been custom-building MMUs to its own designs since 1986.
we can cut lead-times dra-
matically.”
Although the company
has always manufactured
most of its MMUs, long
lead times from external
engineering suppliers were
creating a bottleneck for
the fast-growing company.
With strategic investments
over the last few years,
BME is now able to produce
over 50 units a year at its factory in Middel-
burg, Mpumalanga, according to Strauss.
The trucks can deliver any formulation to
site (pure emulsion explosives, doped emul-
sion, heavy ANFO and ANFO), providing the
logistical backbone to the mine’s supply line
of the required explosive blend.
The two truck types – emulsion units and
heavy ANFO units – are built to exacting de-
sign specifications, as BME is accredited by
the SABS as a body-builder. The SABS also
certifies each unit before it is commissioned.
Using a standard cab-chassis sourced
from established truck makers, the company
has been refining its MMU design and com-
ponents to produce a highly efficient on-site
solution for opencast mining operations.
“BME’s core business is blasting, so we
systematically gather feedback from our
teams in the field to constantly improve what
we design and build,” Strauss said. With over
two decades of experience in engineering
these trucks, the company has become ex-
pert in customising each one to suit its par-
ticular mining application.
Its operations in African countries – which
include Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Bo-
tswana, Mali, Mauritania and the DRC – are
often remote, demanding special attention to
logistics and ease of maintenance.
“We have ensured that our MMUs deliver
quality service to our blasting teams on site,
but are also robust and as simple as possible
to work on,” said Strauss. “This helps keep
availability high by reducing the chance of
downtime.”
Fit-for-purpose design and componentry –
combined with good maintenance practices
– keep the average MMU ‘on the road’ for
about eight years, after which it is withdrawn
from service and replaced.
BME, tel (+27 11) 709-8765
HPE Africa introduces highly mobile trommel
tank and hydraulic oil cooler
for maximum cooling capacity
and high efficiency throughout
the hydraulic system.”
According to Straw, the 516RT
trommel boasts a number of features
that place it ahead of competitors in the
same category. “A significantly longer and
wider direct feed 5,25 m
3
hopper provides a
large loading area, while a wider feed open-
ing allows for the free flow of material and
high volume capacity. What’s more, the rub-
ber belting extends along the length of the
machine to reduce blockages, even when
working with wet and sticky materials.”
With the 5´ x 16´ screening surface, Straw
says that material such as topsoil, compost,
sand, gravel and wood spend more time
in the drum for better results. “The three
screen sections allow for flexibility in sizing
to maximise productivity. For heavy duty ap-
plications, a remote control hydraulic tipping
HPE Africa has launched
the 516RT trommel fromMcCloskey International.
grizzly can be added to scalp off large mate-
rial. Ground adjustable brushes on the 516RT
keep the screen clean and rotate away from
the drum for ease of drum change.”
As with all McCloskey equipment, the
516RT has an accessible engine service bay
for ease of maintenance and service, thereby
saving time and reducing costs. “With addi-
tional options like a radio remote control for
tracks, a variety of drum and screen com-
binations, and a hydraulic tipping grid, the
516RT is a highly productive and highly mo-
bile trommel,” Straw concludes.
Alan Straw, HPE Africa,
tel (+27 11) 397-4670
hancements result in lower owning and op-
erating costs through enhanced track joint
retention and sealability; stronger compo-
nents that resist cracking and breakage; and
extended system wear life.
According to Delport, the greatest benefits
of using Heavy Duty Track are realised in ag-
gressive, high impact applications such as
logging and reforestation, side-sloping work,
rocky conditions, and any uneven terrain with
wide track shoes (specifically Low Ground
Pressure machines).
Barloworld Equipment,
tel (+27 11) 929-0000
Cat Heavy Duty Track delivers lower costs
