MechChem Africa July 2018

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

New flameproof underground tractor for coal orders for 11 machines from a large min- ing group and these are currently being manufactured and delivered.”

The increasing demand for stringent fire and explosion protection in hazardous areas within the mining industry has led specialist manufacturer and designers of diesel engine flameproof systems, Elgin Flameproofing, to launch a new modeltractorforundergroundcoalmining applications. Newly appointed managing director, Peet Hartman, says their equipment is not new to the industry but the need for stricter compliance within extremely hazardous explosive conditions has led thecompanytoredesignandupgradetheir tractor and all its systems. “We are now offering a far more ef- ficient tow tractor with improved safety features, which has also been ergonomi- cally restyled to improve conditions for operators. “Thenewundergroundtractorismanu- factured locally to suit conditions preva- lentonSouthernAfricancoalmines,where methanegas andcoal dust is prevalent and the complete unit has tobeflame proofed. The unit is delivered with all the relevant approved and certified documentation,” says Hartman. “We have already secured

system. The front and rear drive steering axle is a heavy-duty 4×4 brake Dana axle and includes a 3-speed power-shift Dana transmission and torque convertor. The front and rear assemblies are common on all models. All the major driveline sub-assembly components are approved by the OEMas matched components, which are suitable for the hazardous operating conditions where these tractors operate. www.elginflameproofing.co.za

The design team is headed up by Gary Huxham, who has been instrumental in introducing a very comprehensive range of flameproof diesel engines and systems as well as the underground flameproof towtractors. “Webelieve thatwe possibly have the most knowledgeable team avail- able to embark on projects such as this,” comments Hartman. Standardmodels available are

theElgin112TR20and112TR18 tow tractor, which are available with a rear mounted Pitbull 350 crane as well. These units are driven by a CAT C7.1-112 kW engine suppliedbyBarlowWorld, who has had a close and valuable working relationship with Elgin for many years. The basic specifications com- mon to all new models include a CertifiedElgin-designedwet type scrubber flameproof system and coolant package specific to the specified CAT engine flameproof

Elgin’s newly designed underground tractor used in the coal industry.