Giant Excavator

The following is a news article from the Liebherr Group (also view at Equipment Trader) about their new 800 ton mining excavator:

At the MINExpo 2008 in Las Vegas, Liebherr announced the R 9800 Mining Excava-tor. Rated at 800 tons of service weight the R 9800 provides a nominal bucket capacity of 38 to 42 m³ at a material density of 1,8 t/m³. This new flagship of Liebherr mining excavators’ range is targeting bucket loads of 75 tons in both versions, as a backhoe and a shovel execution.

Liebherr is providing for the machine two engine options, two Cummins QSK 60 with a installed power of 1,492 kW / 2,000 hp each or two MTU 12V4000 with a installed power of 1,425 kW / 1,910 hp.

Whilst the backhoe digging envelope and bucket width remain similar to the previous Liebherr flagship, the R 996, the R 9800 in backhoe configuration provides a break out force of 1,840 kN with a digging force of 1,750 kN. In shovel configuration, the machine is achieving crowd forces at ground level of 2,980 kN and breakout forces of 2,350 kN. These values ensure superior digging capabilities even in toughest mining conditions.

The first units of the new flagship are currently in the final stages of factory testing and the first machine is soon due for operation in Australia.

The Giant Excavator

To get an idea of how big this excavator is, keep in mind that most excavators range from just under 2 tons up to over 100 tons. The ones you see on the side of the road probably weigh anywhere from 5-60 tons. In more practical terms, this 800 ton excavator weighs as much as approximately 100 full grown African elephants, or as much as approximately 15 Boeing Jets!

Sources

(1) The Liebherr Group

(2) Equipment Trader

NAHETS in ‘Mining Magazine’

The National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools (NAHETS) appeared in the September edition of Mining Magazine. The article focuses on the use of various training simulators in the mining and heavy equipment industries; e.g., computer-based training, visualization, and advanced equipment simulators. These simulators improve safety and operating skills by successfully representing the characteristics and behaviors of various equipment types.  Vista Training, Inc. and its cooperative, Simlog, are leading providers of the various simulators. All of the NAHETS campuses use simulators as part of their heavy equipment training programs. You can view the article in Mining Magazine…(pp.94-97).

DEUTZ Introduces World’s First Hybrid Power Unit for Construction Equipment

DUETZ, a leading independent gas and diesel engine manufacturer, has developed a hybrid power unit for heavy equipment. DUETZ claims the new unit has the potential to reduce fuel consumption by up to 30%. The unit is not only designed to reduce fuel costs and consumption, but CO2 emissions as well.

Here are some of the main specs and functions:

• Mild hybrid drive unit
• DEUTZ four-cylinder diesel engine, electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack, control unit
• Electrical system nominal 15kW output, peak capacity at 30kW
• Start and stop: automatic engine stop during idling phases, automatic engine start in the case of continued operation, the usual starter is omitted.
• Power boost: in the case the power peaks, the electric unit is cut in.
• Battery charging: if the diesel engine has excess power, the electric unit can charge the battery while operating as a generator.
• Recuperation: part of the braking energy is refed into the battery by the electric unit

© 2008 Bird & Moore Ltd and DEUTZ AG – UK Branch (see source #2 below)

The new hybrid drive was developed with Heinzmann, a notable manufacturer of engine control systems and long-term DEUTZ partner and supplier. DEUTZ engines are commonly used in excavators, wheel loaders, access platforms, compactors, cranes, crushers, screeners, compressors, lift trucks, tractors, ride-on mowers, chippers, shredders, gensets and other off-highway mobile plant.

For more detailed information see original sources below.

Sources:

1. Green Car Congress: DUETZ Introduces Mild Hybrid Drive for Off-Road Construction Equipment
   
2. TARGETWIRE: DEUTZ Introduce World’s First Hybrid Power Unit for Construction Equipment
   
3. Buildingtalk: First hybrid power unit for construction equipment

Most Recent Crane Accidents in U.S.

On June 9 we came across a summary list of some recent crane accidents on newsday.com. With so many accidents occurring lately, we found it easier to learn more and keep track of the events from this list. From here you can search for more detailed news on the recent accidents.

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NAHETS Visits Estonia for 2nd Time to Assist Heavy Equipment Training Program

May 2008–NAHETS Director of Operations, Mike Martens, has made his second trip to Estonia to advise and assist the Ministry of Education with its project to improve the heavy equipment operator training program at the Paide Vocational Secondary School (PKK). The Paide school is beginning a phase in which the Estonian government will commit $30 million (USD) towards expansion and modernization of curriculum and facilities.

In addition to this project, Ministry Counselor Erkki Pissang has begun an initiative to establish the Paide school as a heavy equipment operator training center for the Baltic countries. Students would come from not only Estonia but also the countries of Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. NAHETS is assisting with this regional training center initiative.

Rein Oslein, Director of the Paide Vocational Secondary School, is also working with various governmental agencies to upgrade Estonia’s operator certification standards based on NAHETS operator certification standards.

Mike’s time in Estonia was divided into meetings with Rein at the Paide school, at which time the framework for the regional training center was developed, and they began to define the heavy equipment operator certification standards.

Rein and Mike also met with the Head of the Estonian Vocational and Adult Education Department, Andres Pung, and with Siim Raie, The Executive Director of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce. Siim is working with Rein to develop contacts within the Estonian construction industry.

Those meetings were held in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Tallinn is a city with a history dating back to the 12^th century; Old Town Tallin is the best-preserved example of a medieval Hanseatic League city

The next event is a Baltic Regional Conference, to be hosted by the Estonian Government, at which the education and industry attendees will work towards participation in the Estonian Heavy Equipment Operator Training Center in Paide.

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