Modern Quarrying July-August 2016

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July - August 2016 MODERN QUARRYING 37
EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS
MARKETPLACE
Smart and safe mining machines
Legislation mandating the use of pedestrian detection systems (PDS) came into being
in South Africa in 2015, driving the deployment of Booyco Electronics’ locally manu-
factured systems on local mines.
The company’s fully integrated PDS represents the latest generation of this tech-
nology and offers a supply of information, which allows the safety intervention capabil-
ity coupled with a data hub that enables integration with trackless mobile machinery
(TMM) and other OEM underground vehicles and equipment. Each PDS is deployed
based on application-specific risk assessments ensuring that it is fit-for-purpose.
Anton Lourens, MD of Booyco Electronics says the company’s PDS incorporates
very low frequency technology for pedestrian detection either on surface or under-
ground together with GPS technology for vehicle detection on surface. It delivers spe-
cific warning, controlled slow-down and stopping zone alerts around a vehicle when
detecting pedestrians or other vehicles. This is unique in that it is able to achieve zone
shaping and create narrow band zones in close proximity on the side of vehicles.
It features full self-diagnostics, and has visual and voice display activated in the
case of a PDS warning or a system failure. The technology incorporates various down-
loading options for recorded data including wireless when at an access point. It is sup-
plied complete with testing equipment for both the surface and underground areas
to ensure maximum functionality.
Lourens says the company has also developed a high processing power controller.
It acts as a processing gateway and all sensing technologies and informational data is
channelled through this. “This enables the user to create the requisite artificial intelli-
gence which is fed to the control systems of the trackless mobile machinery on a site.”
Importantly, it facilitates the enormous inflow of information, the processing
thereof and then the presentation of it in a simple, easy to understand manner.
Heavyweight articulated hauler
In its ongoing drive to meet customer requirements
and bring leading international brands to the local
mining and construction sector, Babcock has intro-
duced the newVolvo A60H articulated hauler to the
southern African market following its much-antici-
pated unveiling at the 2016 Bauma exhibition. This
heavyweight 60 t articulated hauler is the largest
machine to ever be built by Volvo and is the largest
of its kind in the world.
The A60H’s higher payload represents a 40%
increase on Volvo’s current A40 models, signifi-
cantly lowering the cost-per-ton ratio for hauler
customers, while its stability, comfort and high haul-
ing speeds are ensured by the matched drivetrain,
automatic drive combinations, all-terrain bogie,
hydro-mechanical steering and active suspension,
further optimising production and minimising oper-
ational costs. An added advantage of the A60H is
that it has many features that will be familiar to A40
operators, eliminating the need for any major oper-
ator training.
“It will be an easy transition for operators with
only a short orientation course needed,” says David
Vaughan, sales director, Equipment at Babcock.
“Furthermore, technicians who regularly service
other Volvo haulers will have knowledge of many
of its elements such
as a front grill that
swings down, open-
ing up a ser vice
platform with anti-
slip steps, and an
electric hood that
opens to 90°, allow-
ing full and safe
access to the engine
compartment.”
The A60H has
b e e n l a u n c h e d
locally in conjunc-
tion with the new
Volvo EC950E, a
90 t crawler excava-
tor that combines
power and stability
to handle a higher
capacity in the toughest applications. Vaughan
says that this excavator is eminently suited to the
southern African market and fits right into Babcock’s
product line, as well as complementing the A60H
hauler.
All Booyco Electronics PDS systems are subjected
to quality control systems to ensure reliable
operation.
The A60H is the industry’s
largest ever 6x6 configura-
tion articulated hauler.