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minexpo highlights continued solution for the most challenging geologies. With the cylinder's nut and matching bear- ing plate, the system allows the cables to be tensioned during on-going bolting opera- tions. Compared to traditional bolting tech- nology this feature guarantees improved support for sidewalls and roof structures. The TCB system is bolted into boreholes before tensioning the cable. Placing this anchorage at a higher point in the roof helps avoid the common risk of anchorage shock when loads are applied. The powder coated nut and cylinder reveals the setting of the bolt even after anchoring and helps protect the steel system from wear and corrosion. The TCB is suited as primary and sec- ondary support for traditional cable bolts in applications that need stronger holds. The new TBC system does not require any new equipment and is a perfect choice for all applications that call for a durable solu- tion with additional support, including tun- nel intersections. Sleipner Excavator Transport System The Finnish company Sleipner has devel- oped a system to move tracked excavators in open-pit mines efficiently and much more economically in comparison to the machine moving on tracks. The Sleipner system saves time and money and consid- erably increases the excavator's life. The system is able to move excavators up to 550 metric tons. A Sleipner is essentially a dolly system, consisting of ramps with axles and large- wheels. One end of the excavator's tracks is driven on the ramps so that the tracks are lifted from the ground. Then the excavator turns around and places the boom on the bed of a dump truck. Now the other end is raised from ground by the hydraulic force of the boom. As the excavator is now on wheels the machine is easily transported to the desired location on site. The whole process is carried out in a fraction of time compared to walking the same distance on tracks. The system improves the mine's ability to plan and reduces undercarriage wear, explained Jaako Lipsanen, vice president sales. "Yes, the Sleipner is a very safe," Lipsanen said. "Everything is handled from inside the cabin. Even if the worst happens, the machine is not very high off the ground. The operator can stop the movement sim- ply by lowering the crawler pads." "The Sleipner increases the efficiency of the mine site because it allows you to quick- ly relocate the mining tools around the mine site," said Brendan Vaughan, mining man- November 2012 www.coalage.com 51 The Sleipner dolly system quickly moves excavators and saves on undercarriage wear. ager, WATPAC Civil & Mining, a mining company based in Western Australia. "The exercise of moving an RH 200 from one pit to another could take as long was a shift and it would require a support crew. The Sleipner would reduce that move to less than an hour. I have seen complex moves that would have taken six hours reduced to 15 minutes. Maintenance crews like the Sleipner, Vaughan explained, because they can quickly transport a machine to a better location to service the unit. "Rebuilding an RH 200 undercarriage will costs about $1 million," Vaughan said. "Your investment in a Sleipner would be a lot less. The Sleipner is a game changer." Typically it's believed that an undercar- riage would be replaced five times during the life of a mining-class excavator. The Sleipner could reduce that to two replace- ments. The units can move quickly, but Sleipner recommends holding the speeds down to 15 km/hr for safety purposes. There are no issues with grade and it takes about 10 to 15 minutes assemble the system.