Coal Age

NOV 2012

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minexpo highlights continued ducing the 789D; started field tests on the 793F AC; and went 'live' with the MineStar Command for Hauling system. It also initi- ated development of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) engine development for its largest mining trucks. The company's long-term strategy for its mining truck business, said McCord, includes "extending our leadership posi- tion," continuing to increase manufactur- ing capacity and footprint, improving product-line power train efficiency, and establishing Cat as a technology pioneer— a new stance for the company. Even so, McCord also noted that Cat is not currently planning development of any truck larger than its 797F without a significant advance in necessary technology. Cat is intent upon "building on its foun- dation" in further development of the Unit Rig brand, said McCord, taking advantage of Unit Rig's long history in the industry, its unique technology in certain areas, and its distinction as being the only mining truck line with AC drive throughout the entire range. There was also, he noted, value in capitalizing on Unit Rig's name recognition in certain markets such as China and Russia. Cat will continue to increase vertical integra- tion of the Unit Rig line in conjunction with its EMD operations; i.e., customers will see more EMD components in the Unit Rig line in the future. Support for the line will be pro- vided by Cat's worldwide dealer network. Cat will move assembly of the large Unit Rig mining trucks from Mexico to its Decatur plant, leaving the Acuña, Coahuila, plant to focus on "large fabrications" need- ed for truck production. Although it will continue to produce other MT models, development money will be spent mostly on the larger rigs. The flagship of the Unit Rig line will be the new MT5300D AC, a 320- ton-capacity, AC-drive hauler powered by a Cat C175-16 diesel with 2,750- and 3,500-hp options. Cat redesigned the frame to handle 320-ton payloads and equipped the new model with what, in essence, is a 795F AC drive system—all part of an accelerated development schedule that began in 2011 and had the truck up and running late in August 2012. Although the MT5300D AC is, in many ways, similar to the 795F AC, it won't have certain features included in the Cat-branded truck, including the unique blended retard- ing system built into the 795F. Production is expected to begin early in 2014. Large Loading Tools—With an eye toward the changing requirements of the global min- November 2012 www.coalage.com 31 ing industry, Cat designed and introduced the 6120B FS, which it touts as the industry's first hybrid, ultra-class hydraulic shovel. The 120-ton-bucket-payload shovel employs new diesel-electric technology that makes it a very attractive alternative to other shovels at short- term operations, non-electrified mine sites and greenfield development projects, said Surface Extraction Product Segment Manager Joe Helfrich. The 6120B—first in a planned line of B series machines, according to Helfrich—features hybrid technology with energy-recovery capabilities that involve quick, efficient reversal of flow in the shovel's hydraulic circuits, in the process reducing fuel costs by at least 25% while providing the capability to three- to four-pass match with ultra- class haul trucks.

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