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Issue link: https://coal.epubxp.com/i/174138
suppliers news GKN Wheels Introduces 'Bigfoot' System tion and air supply. All courses are being offered free of cost. Space is limited. SSAB Launches Hardox Web Shop A new system adapts a 63-inch rim assembly to a 57-inch hub. GKN Wheels has developed an innovative system to allow a 63-in. rim assembly to be adapted to a 57-in. hub for the Unit Rig MT4400 haul truck. This allows mining operations to retrofit the larger, more readily available 63-in. tire on haul trucks that would normally use only standard 57in. rims and tires. Australian-based Downer Mining created the Bigfoot concept to alleviate the risk of short supply in the standard tire size for the 240-ton haul truck. To take the project from concept to solution, Downer Mining approached GKN Wheels. GKN Wheels' North American technical team collaborated with Caterpillar Unit Rig engineers to develop a solution that adapted to the truck without interfering with the standard components of the Unit Rig MT4400 haul truck. The technical engineering work for the rim arrangements was carried out at GKN's Technical Center in Chicago, Ill., with manufacture taking place at GKN's facility in China. Downer Mining now uses the product at its mining operation in Western Australia. "Bigfoot provides us with many advantages, including increased productivity and 46 www.coalage.com tire life, with a reduction in potential tire stress and mechanical heat separation events," said Danny Boyling, executive general manager plant, Downer Mining. "The predicted benefits run into the millions of dollars for a medium size fleet haul truck. This all equates to a very attractive tire option for our production teams. With demand severely outweighing global production capacity of the 57-in. tire, Bigfoot helps to prevent truck downtime and ensures that mine productivity is not threatened by tire availability." GKN is increasingly expanding its capability within the mining market, which includes the recent launch of its Swift Wheel Technologies range. One of the first of its kind in the wear services marketplace, this online shop provides 24-hour access to thousands of Hardox wear products along with product details such as dimensions, materials, tolerances, logistics, on-site service and more. The site has been developed to offer customers quick access to wear products any time, any where through a unique online interface. "Our goal with the Web Shop is to create a productive dialogue between our customers and SSAB while offering convenient access to our extensive wear product offerings including both a standard offer and the ability to provide customized solutions for our customers," said Per Johansson, vice president, wear and value added services, SSAB. Visitors to the Hardox Wearparts Web Shop will find products conveniently categorized by market segment. Once they click on a specific segment such as Mining—Movable, there will be several subcategories highlighted from Excavator Buckets to Dumpers and Tippers. From there, they can navigate to the various wear parts for that piece of equipment where they will find product details— dimensions, material options and more. Steinert Offers Certification Workshops Steinert will host equipment certification workshops on October 22-24, at its U.S. headquarters in Walton, Ky. The sessions will focus on four equipment areas: ISS (inductive sorting), KSS (combination sorting), Eddy Current and magnetic equipment. The certification courses are designed for operators and focus on topics such as maintenance, operation, material identifica- Cumberland Surety Moves to Old KCA Offices Cumberland Surety and Newbridge Services have relocated to 340 S. Broadway, Lexington, Ky., in offices formerly occupied by the Kentucky Coal Association. Bill Adams now serves as president and manag- September 2013