RollOuts
June 2007
Your complete guide to new and updated equipment and supplies in the aggregates industry.
by Kirk Landers, Editorial Director
New-Generation Belt
Optibelt
says its new Kraftband Super KBX-POWER employs advanced production
processes, improved materials, and optimized molded cogs to achieve a
new level in belt quality. Compared to the conventional Optibelt KBX
Kraftband, the new belt is said to offer up to 15 percent better
performance. Its very low-stretch polyester cord construction makes it a
low-maintenance belt. Optibelt says the new product makes possible
space-saving designs and economic solutions, even with extremely
high-drive requirements.
Mining truck trainer
Simlog
has unveiled the first PC-based off-highway truck simulator. The system
was developed to put trainees at the controls of a modern heavy hauler,
providing mission-critical skills assessment, and skills development.
Even experienced operators can use the simulator for refresher training.
The product includes six training modules of increasing difficulty; the
final module combines loading, driving, and dumping.
Construction truck debuts
Sterling
has unveiled a new heavy-duty vocational truck developed especially for
the construction and government markets. The new Set-Forward Sterling is
said to be more functional and offer better visibility and easier
maintenance than previous models. Features include a sleek hood design
that improves sight range by 12 percent and is formed from a
weight-saving material.
On-site mobility
Fintec
is bringing its 1107 track-mounted primary jaw crusher to North America.
The unit features a 44- by 28-inch Sandvik jaw crusher. Its tracks give
it on-site mobility, and Fintec stresses that the unit is also fully
transportable on a low-boy trailer, giving it site-to-site mobility,
too. The Sandvik jaw crusher’s innovative feed opening design accepts
large feed material that can cause bridging and jaw plugging in
conventional openings, avoiding the need for an additional breaker
system, according to Fintec.
Sleeper cab for work truck
Volvo
Trucks is introducing a factory-installed 42-inch sleeper cab option
for its VHD vocational truck and tractor models. The VHD 430 is designed
for vocational truck users who need a comfortable, efficient sleeper to
meet hours of service regulations without sacrificing reliability or
performance, says Volvo. Previously available only in a day cab
configuration, the VHD series is engineered for construction, mining,
and logging applications, as well as other vocations.
New DTH hammer design
Rockmore
has introduced a new-generation ROK down-the-hole (DTH) hammer using
SonicFlow technology which is said to strongly increase airflow
efficiency within the hammer. The increased airflow is the product of a
new, patent-pending component that distributes pressurized air through
strategically located ports that minimize energy-sapping back-flow
interference to deliver the greatest amount of energy to the piston. The
new ROK hammer also features a unique piston design with a venturi-shaped
radius, and it uses fewer overall components. Both factors help it
produce greater energy to the bit, higher penetration rates, and a
better overall performance, according to Rockmore.
Briefs
New synthetic oils
ConocoPhillips has launched a new line of synthetic industrial lubricants under its Conoco, Phillips 66, and Phillips 76 lubricants brand names. The new line will offer 18 synthetic lubricant products, including gear, compressor, hydraulic, turbine, and specialty oils.
Fuel-saving trucks
Freightliner announced last month that two of its 2008 over-the-road truck models — the Columbia and the Century Class S/T — have been selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as fuel-saving vehicles worthy of the EPA’s SmartWay designation. The company is also rolling out two new spec packages that will allow operators to take advantage of the fuel and emission savings laid out by the SmartWay program.
Electric truck next year
Caterpillar plans to start showing an electric mining truck to top customers late this year and to introduce them commercially late in 2008, according to a Reuters report. An introduction at the September 2008 Mining Expo in Las Vegas is likely.
