MechChem Africa July-August 2022

Hydraulic rock drill: efficient, fast, accurate, clean and safe Epiroc continues its proud reputation for setting the global industry benchmark in the design, manufacture and supply of high quality machines and equipment for mining, infrastructure and natural resources sectors with the smart HRD100 Hydraulic Rock Drill. T he HRD100 Hydraulic Rock Drill from Epiroc is a complete handheld drilling system consisting of the rock drill, power pack and a selection of pusher legs, specially designed to provide efficient, accurate and safe hydraulic drilling of blow The HRD100 is built using robust components manufactured to deliver long service life. The recyclable Rock Drill covers protect the equipment and helps to further reduce noise and enhance vibration damping. Skilled Epiroc technicians offer operator training to ensure the optimal functioning of the Hydraulic Rock Drill so customers can reap the full benefits.

and support holes. The innovative HRD package offers a convenient and cost-effective ‘plug and play’ solution, requiring only electricity and water to operate, thus eliminating the need for compressed air infrastructure installation and reducing maintenance. Incorporating advanced technologies and cutting-edge design features, this remarkable tool enables end-users to reach and even exceed production targets while keeping operators safe. Reliable operation, long service life, minimum maintenance and reduced operating expenses deliver lowest possible total cost of ownership for end-users. “The HRD offers everything that end-users demand from their hydraulic drill, namely best-in-class energy efficiency, accuracy, reliability, performance, safety and serviceability,” says David Baird, Global Product Manager-HHE, Epiroc. High operational performance means that more holes can be drilled per day per operator enabling the complete drilling cycle to be achieved within the required cycle time. Also adding to uptime and productivity is the fact that the hydraulic system delivers optimal drilling at large depths. Furthermore, the energy-efficient HRD100 only uses 10 kW regardless of depth compared to a pneumatic drill that requires 34 kW to run at levels close to the surface, while at depths of 1.0 kmbelow surface, the power requirement can increase significantly. Baird points out that the HRD100 achieves faster drill times and ultimately increased production but never at the expense of the operators. In fact, faster penetration rate and drill times reduce operator exposure in dangerous areas. “Our mandate is to ensure that our customers benefit from high productivity combined with high safety ratings. Designed with operator comfort, health and safety in mind, the HRD100 incorporates safety features that are amongst the best in the world.” Weighing only 33.8 kg, the lightweight HRD100 is easy to manoeuvre, reducing operator fatigue. The tool’s low noise levels (105 dBA) reduce risk of hearing loss while lower vibrations help to avoidwhite knuckle disease. The electrical pilot wire system reduces the risk of live electrical wire in case of electrical cable damage. The PP100 power pack has been designed to keep weight to a minimum to facilitate lifting and moving. It features a robust frame and stainless steel cover. Data such as drill time can be downloaded directly from theUSB port during run time and a full service schedule indicates service intervals and maintenance. The HRD is also kind to the environment; drill grease is not blown into the air as with pneumatic drills nor is there a risk of pneumatic grease contamination. The Hydraulic Rock Drill also uses less water (12 ℓ /min) while drilling and the automatic water function stops flushing when drilling ceases. All four pusher legs, connected to the rock drill via a single port connection, are smartly powered by the same water that is used for cooling the power pack and for flushing.

According to Baird, Southern Africa, South America, Canada and Russia show tremendous potential for the Hydraulic Rock Drill due to the size of the underground mining industries in these regions, while smaller regions are showing increased interest due to the safety and efficiency of the HRD system. “Increasing restraints on electrical supply and ever stricter per sonnel safety and the environment legislation are global dynamics. Designed to meet these requirements, the HRD100 is exactly what the market needs now. So, over the next three years, we expect to see a significant increase in the demand for the hydraulic tool from sectors around the world. Combining smart technology with exceptional design features, Epiroc is poised to change the scope of hydraulic rock drilling in conventional and underground mines and on construction sites in years to come,” concludes Baird. www.epiroc.com.

Efficient, fast, accurate, clean and safe drilling with Epiroc HRD100 Hydraulic Rock Drill.

30 ¦ MechChem Africa • July-August 2022