Modern Quarrying July-August 2016

EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS MARKETPLACE

Smart and safe mining machines Legislation mandating the use of pedestrian detection systems (PDS) came into being in South Africa in 2015, driving the deployment of Booyco Electronics’ locally manu- factured systems on local mines. The company’s fully integrated PDS represents the latest generation of this tech- nology and offers a supply of information, which allows the safety intervention capabil- ity coupled with a data hub that enables integration with trackless mobile machinery (TMM) and other OEM underground vehicles and equipment. Each PDS is deployed based on application-specific risk assessments ensuring that it is fit-for-purpose. Anton Lourens, MD of Booyco Electronics says the company’s PDS incorporates very low frequency technology for pedestrian detection either on surface or under- ground together with GPS technology for vehicle detection on surface. It delivers spe- cific warning, controlled slow-down and stopping zone alerts around a vehicle when detecting pedestrians or other vehicles. This is unique in that it is able to achieve zone shaping and create narrow band zones in close proximity on the side of vehicles. It features full self-diagnostics, and has visual and voice display activated in the case of a PDS warning or a system failure. The technology incorporates various down- loading options for recorded data including wireless when at an access point. It is sup- plied complete with testing equipment for both the surface and underground areas to ensure maximum functionality. Lourens says the company has also developed a high processing power controller. It acts as a processing gateway and all sensing technologies and informational data is channelled through this. “This enables the user to create the requisite artificial intelli- gence which is fed to the control systems of the trackless mobile machinery on a site.” Importantly, it facilitates the enormous inflow of information, the processing thereof and then the presentation of it in a simple, easy to understand manner. www.booyco-electronics.co.za

All Booyco Electronics PDS systems are subjected to quality control systems to ensure reliable operation.

Heavyweight articulated hauler In its ongoing drive to meet customer requirements and bring leading international brands to the local mining and construction sector, Babcock has intro- duced the newVolvo A60H articulated hauler to the southern African market following its much-antici- pated unveiling at the 2016 Bauma exhibition. This heavyweight 60 t articulated hauler is the largest machine to ever be built by Volvo and is the largest of its kind in the world. The A60H’s higher payload represents a 40% increase on Volvo’s current A40 models, signifi- cantly lowering the cost-per-ton ratio for hauler customers, while its stability, comfort and high haul- ing speeds are ensured by the matched drivetrain, automatic drive combinations, all-terrain bogie, hydro-mechanical steering and active suspension, further optimising production and minimising oper- ational costs. An added advantage of the A60H is that it has many features that will be familiar to A40 operators, eliminating the need for any major oper- ator training. “It will be an easy transition for operators with only a short orientation course needed,” says David Vaughan, sales director, Equipment at Babcock. “Furthermore, technicians who regularly service other Volvo haulers will have knowledge of many

of its elements such as a front grill that swings down, open- ing up a ser vice platform with anti- slip steps, and an electric hood that opens to 90°, allow- ing full and safe access to the engine compartment.” The A60H has b e e n l a u n c h e d locally in conjunc- tion with the new Volvo EC950E, a 90 t crawler excava- tor that combines power and stability to handle a higher

The A60H is the industry’s largest ever 6x6 configura- tion articulated hauler.

capacity in the toughest applications. Vaughan says that this excavator is eminently suited to the southern African market and fits right into Babcock’s product line, as well as complementing the A60H hauler. www.babcock.co.za

37

MODERN QUARRYING

July - August 2016