Caqital Equipment News October 2018

The Cat C7.1 mechanical engine has become engine of choice for flameproofing applications.

solutions,” says Raghunanan. “Today’s flameproof machines look very different and are streets ahead of the early models. That’s how far we have come.” Bird Machines designs and manufactures trackless underground mining machines from multi-purpose vehicles, dump trucks and haulers, to personnel carriers, road compactors, graders and rock breakers. Aftersales support Alwyn van Biljon, MD of Bird Machines, explains that the company's flameproof machines are predominantly used in coal mines where there is a risk of methane gas explosions. “Flameproof machines operate at lower engine surface temperatures and special precautions are taken to prevent any spark or high temperatures that could ignite in the presence of methane gas,” he says. “Cat engines are built to be used in flameproof applications and OEMs also prefer to work with Barloworld Power due to its good aftersales support and comprehensive stockholding of engines and parts.” Elgin is a market leader in the flameproofing of diesel engine-powered OEM machines and diesel engine power packs for operation in underground mining, as well as in hazardous, explosive surface areas. Elgin’s flameproof tow tractors have evolved from modified agricultural tractors with diesel engine flameproof systems to the current in-house designed and manufactured six-cylinder 4x4 automatic flameproof tractors for low and high seam coal mining applications. “We have specialised in the flameproofing of diesel powered engines and equipment for both the mining and petrochemical industries for more than 30 years,” says Peet Hartman, MD of Elgin. “The flameproofing market prefers to work with local suppliers due to parts and technical service availability.”

Elgin’s newly-designed tractor for underground coal mines, fitted with a Cat C7.1 112 kW engine.

short-lived and in recent years mechanical engines have once again become the standard due to the high cost of repairing electronic engines,” says Raghunanan. In line with this shift, Barloworld Power today offers a range of Cat mechanical engines certified for flameproofing with outputs ranging from 38 kW to 186 kW, and more if needed. The range includes the C2.2, C4.4, 3054C and the C7.1. “The recent demand for mechanically- driven engines, particularly in the underground coal mining industry, is

largely due to the significantly lower initial cost and better fuel economy of Caterpillar’s mechanical system engines,” he points out. Barloworld Power shares long-term partnerships with both Bird Machines of White River, Mpumalanga, and Elgin Flameproofing of Johannesburg. “Over many years we have worked closely with these companies on several projects and we are proud to have been at the cutting edge of significant progress in the devel- opment of flameproof mining equipment

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