Caterpillar is developing a ground-breaking electric load-haul-dump machine for use in mines. Although it won’t actually break up the rock, that was just a way of speaking. They say it will use “advanced technology lithium-ion batteries and fast, on-board charging” according to Engineering News. They hope thereby to advance safety and promote higher production.
This Will Not be a Totally New Design
Caterpillar introduced the more efficient R1700 electro-hydraulic system in 2018 providing greater load forces and improved digging performance. Therefore, its modified R1700 XE electric loader should be the next logical step forward.
That’s because the loader features an electric lithium-ion battery operating and charging system. Their MEC 500 can apparently re-energize the battery without removing it from the load-haul-dump machine. Caterpillar hopes this will do away with the need for change-out battery inventories. Moreover the hazards associated with battery handling during recharging should be less.
Watch the Conventional Non-Electric R1700 in Action Underground!
Battery-Powered Machines Should Have a Positive Economic Impact
Caterpillar says an electric load-haul-dump machine “has potential to significantly impact the economics of underground-mining”. Moreover, it could positively benefit the viability of opening new mines too. That’s because the advantages include “reducing ventilation infrastructure requirements and costs, and generating less heat and dust”.
This in turn does away with additional air conditioning, and lowers the overall operating costs of the mine itself. However, the batteries must offset “high production capability with extended run times between charging”. In this instance, the more efficient R1700 electro-hydraulic system apparently tips the scales.
Caterpillar insists it has used “insight gained from its proof-of-concept testing to design the R1700 XE and the MEC 500 charging system”. It says it has invented a “safe, profitable and productive option for mines going to electric fleets”. We sure hope it has. We need this electric load-haul-dump technology for our greener future.
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Preview Image: Load Haul Dump Machine
Video Share Link: https://youtu.be/ax1WaRGd4rY
