A clever design in one manufacturer’s Surface Mining equipment enhances operational stability
A clever design in one manufacturer’s Surface Mining equipment enhances operational stability.
There are many innovations in the mining industry, but arguably at the forefront is the central drum design built into the Surface Miners (SM) made by manufacturing company Wirtgen. The placement of the cutting drum at the centre of the machines, known as the Middle Drum Concept, uses the machine’s weight to enhance cutting effectiveness and operational stability.
Maximising cutting efficiency
Wirtgen’s Middle Drum Concept allows nearly the entire weight of the machine to be utilised for the cutting process. This design ensures that the machine’s weight force rests directly on the drum, pushing it firmly into the ground and enhancing then cutting action.
In practical terms, this means a Wirtgen SM can operate using very high cutting forces, according to the company, translating into greater productivity and less wear on the machine. For instance, in a 60-ton Wirtgen 220 SM, nearly 88% of the machine’s weight is used for cutting, providing a higher cutting factor compared with a heavier 120-tonne machine using a different design, which uses only about 45% of its weight.
Enhanced stability and precision
The central placement of the drum also provides superior stability and precision, according to the company. By maintaining the center of gravity close to the drum, the machine achieves a balanced load distribution, reducing the likelihood of tipping or instability during operation. This stability is important for maintaining a consistent cutting depth, which is essential for producing a clean, even, and stable surface post-extraction.
Power and performance
Wirtgen Surface Miners’ Middle Drum Concept delivers excellent power and performance, according to the company. The efficient transfer of power from the diesel engine through the clutch, power belts, and planetary transmission directly to the cutting drum ensures that the machine operates at peak efficiency. Approximately 80% of the machine’s power can be used for the cutting process, compared with around 67% in alternative designs, thus enabling faster and more efficient rock-cutting operations.
Practical advantages in surface mining
The design facilitates direct loading of crushed aggregate, minimising the need for additional equipment and handling, thus streamlining the mining process. Furthermore, the clean and stable surface left behind after cutting reduces the need for subsequent leveling or grading, saving both time and resources.
In applications where precision is crucial, such as road construction or site preparation, the ability to maintain a precise cutting depth without additional stabilising mechanisms ensures that Wirtgen Surface Miners deliver high-quality results. This precision is particularly beneficial in complex geological conditions where maintaining a stable cutting depth can be challenging.
In conclusion, Wirtgen Surface Miners offer an advantage based on physics – The Middle Drum Concept allows for an excellent distribution of the machine’s weight, optimising the cutting process and ensuring efficiency and stability. The practical benefits are: a 60-tonne Wirtgen 220 SM surpasses the cutting factor of most 120-tonne machines, and a 110-tonne Wirtgen 260 SX outperforms many 180-tonne machines. This efficiency and performance delivered by Wirtgen’s central drum design leads to outperformance in productivity and precision when extracting primary resources and realising large-scale infrastructure projects, according to the company.
