Modern Mining April 2016

PRODUCT News

Cat 6015B has most powerful engine in its class ful engine in its class (606 kW) plus one of the largest standard Heavy Duty bucket offer- ings (8,1 m³),” explains Wouter Kraan, Senior P r odu c t Ma n a g e r : Mi n i ng Shove l s at Cat dealer Barloworld Equipment, pointing out key features. This class winning

costs are driven through proprietary inte- grated Cat engine control technologies (for efficient fuel burn and power distribution), closed-loop swing and boom float valves and a new hydraulic filtration system. A separate kidney loop ensures continu- ous filtration and optimum oil cleanliness at all times, minimising the risk of pro- gressive hydraulic power losses due to contamination. Commonality of components forms a key part of Caterpillar’s R&D strategy from life cycle costing and maintenance per- spectives. On the Cat 6015B, for example, these components include Cat D11 track links (with Positive Pin Retention). Further efficiencies are achieved with Cat C70 hammerless GET designed specifi- cally for the Cat 6015B. “In designing this GET system, Caterpillar took a production rather than a component focus to optimise performance across the entire machine,” Kraan says. This is also a safe machine. The Cat 6015B provides updated egress and walk- ways for safe movement, improved wire and hose guarding for safe maintenance, numerous and optimally positioned lights, mirrors, and E(emergency)-stop buttons, and an optional 45 degree powered access stairway for easy boarding and egress. The unit comes standard with con- nectivity to on-board Cat Connect technologies like MineStar™, VIMS™ (Vital Information Management System), and Product Link™. First shipment orders of the new Cat 6015B will start leaving Caterpillar’s manu- facturing facilities for worldwide delivery from March 2016. Barloworld Equipment, tel (+27 11) 929-0000

combination results in a one-pass-better match per cycle advantage with Cat 773, 775, and 777 sized rigid off-high- way mining trucks over leading competitors with equivalent sized

The newly launched Cat 6015B in action.

load and haul combinations. When consis- tently achieved, the result is more material moved and greater profit. All 6015B struc- tures have been fully tested and validated at Caterpillar’s proving ground in Tucson, Arizona. The 6015B comes to market with two engine options for ‘lesser regulated emis- sions’standard countries, namely a Cat C27 ACERT Tier I or Tier II power plant. (The Cat 6015B is also the only EPA Tier 4 Final compliant machine in its class, meeting legislative requirements in Canada and the US.) The previous generation Cat 6015FS (Face Shovel) model will continue to be sold in diesel configuration for a limited period. However, the backhoe derivative remains by far the most popular customer choice for the Southern African region. On the Cat 6015B, lower ownership

The worldwide introduction of the Cat 6015B sets a new research and develop- ment (R&D) milestone for Caterpillar as it targets strong gains in the highly com- petitive 100-tonne plus hydraulic mining shovel (HMS) class. Significantly, the Cat 6015B marks the transition point between Caterpillar’s larg- est ‘construction’ class hydraulic excavator, the Cat 390F L (with its approximately 86 275 kg operating weight), and the 140 000-tonne 6015B backhoe, which is the new entry level unit for the current Cat HMS range. A comparison of their respec- tive payload capabilities provides a clear distinction in terms of their downstream roles: 9,6 tonnes for the Cat 390F L and 14,6 tonnes for the Cat 6015B. “ The 6015B backhoe is the next benchmark in terms of ergonomics and performance, with the most power-

50  MODERN MINING  April 2016