Coal Age

JUN 2013

Coal Age Magazine - For nearly 100 years, Coal Age has been the magazine that readers can trust for guidance and insight on this important industry.

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product news Cat Announces New Shearer at Longwall USA CatÕs new EL 1000 shearer (top) will have advanced controls (bottom left) and robust construction (bottom right). Caterpillar Global Mining displayed a range of advanced technologies at Longwall USA 2013. Center stage was a preview of the newest Cat shearer model, the EL 1000, designed specifically for low- and medium-height seams. Currently in development, the EL 1000 combines power with precise controllability and advanced safety features to address future demands and varying geological conditions. Preliminary specifications for the EL 1000 shearer indicate that the new model will accommodate seam heights from 63 to 126 in., will deliver an estimated cutting power of 1,600 hp, and will provide haulage power on the order of 2 x 134 hp. Reflecting the basic design of proven Cat longwall shearers, the EL 1000 will feature massive, one-piece-mainframe con- 56 www.coalage.com struction, exchangeable modular components, advanced automation and Ethernet communication. www.cat.com Lightweight Man Door Zero Man Door recently introduced the RL-12, a lower-cost, lighter-weight alternative ventilation control. The man door features the same tight-latching handles and fiberglass gaskets that earned the original model its reputation for raising efficiency and decreasing power costs in ventilation systems. "The RL-12 is value engineered for all those places where load-bearing capacity isn't critical," said Tom Flickinger, vice president, Zero Man Door. "Miners tell us that, in about four out of five cases, all they need is a lightweight door that goes in easily, operates trouble-free, and maintains a tight seal." The RL-12's simple unibody construction simplifies handling and installation while retaining key safety features like rolled, no-snag door edges; high-visibility warning reflectors; and an exclusive auto-close mechanism that eliminates slamming and keeps hands and feet out of harm's way. For safe passage between high- and low-pressure spaces, the RL-12 comes with a built-in equalizer port that doubles as a rockdusting access point. "Where safety dictates a crush-resistant door, there's no substitute for the Zero Man Door," said mining veteran Larry Cassidy, who has installed hundreds of Zero Man Doors at CONSOL Energy operations. "The RL-12 is about half the weight and about half the price of the Zero. It still has the best air seal in June 2013

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