Speaking to E&MJat Sandvik’s compe-tence center for mechanical rock cutting in Zeltweg, Austria, the company’s global sales support manager for coal and miner-als, Bruno Reumüller, explained that one of the main drivers for the new upgrades has been its goal of improved safety for equipment operators and other develop-ment workers.

“The MR340 was introduced in the 1980s, and has been the most successful mid-range roadheader produced at Zeltweg. Since then, there have been many upgrades to the original machine, so we took the decision to carry out a major redesign with the development of the MR341,” he said. “We now have an integrated excavation and ground-support system.

“Improved safety and the integration of the ground-support module have been the key features. Our aim has been to reduce the risk of people working beneath unsupported ground during heading development, as well as to cut the amount of heavy manual han-dling that face crews need to do when installing supports such as steel arches.”

The MR341 can be equipped for PLC control, which then allows cutting profile control to be included—an important fea-ture where arch support is being used, since both under- and overbreak must be minimized. Automated cutting is also pos-sible if operators require this, as are data acquisition and smart maintenance options. “This may be adding complexity, but it helps to make up for the increasing shortage of skilled operators throughout the mining world,” Reumüller noted.

With a total weight of 80 mt, the MR341’s dimensions are essentially the same as the previous machine. The total length is 11.2 m (36 ft 9 in.) while the width over the cutting table is 5.1–5.8 m (16 ft 9 in.–19 ft) with the apron side flaps either retracted or extended. With a maxi-mum cutting height of 4.87 m and maxi-mum face width of 7.45 m (16 ft and 24 ft 6 in., respectively), it also has a 270-mm (10.5-in.) undercut capability.

Where the machine differs significantly from its predecessor is in the bolting, meshing and arch-installation platform that now rides separately above the cutting boom. A hydraulic, 1-mt-capacity arch-and mesh-setting manipulator allows sup-port materials to be lifted along the side of the machine to the face, while the front of the platform carries a single hydraulic rotary drill for rockbolt installation.

Other important upgrades include the incorporation of dust-extraction ducts along both sides of the roadheader, with moveable inlets, and improved cut-rock handling. This has moved the chain con-veyor drives to the rear of the machine, extended the conveyor to the front of the apron, and produced a redesign of the gathering stars on the apron as well. New square star drives mean that maintenance is easier, Sandvik said.

The additional load from the support platform has led the company to change the way in which the undercarriage units are secured to the main frame. Bolting them together provides greater machine stability, Reumüller pointed out, while stronger stabi-lizers fitted to the track frames enhance this as well as providing better access for under-machine maintenance.

Total installed power on the MR341 is 404 kW (550 hp), comprising 200 kW for the cutting motor, 132 kW for the hydraulics motor/pump and twin 36-kW loading motors. The chain conveyor is now driven hydrauli-cally for better speed control, although elec-tric drive can be specified for less abrasive applications. Sandvik has redesigned the cutter gearbox, with internal sealing that is cheaper to maintain although, as it points out, the gearbox remains fully compatible with the model used on the MR340.

The electric panel is now housed in an ATEX-approved flameproof box that can also incorporate a monitor screen where profile control is used. Sandvik is in the process of gaining national approvals for this enclo-sure, with the aim of having a standardized installation on all its machines, worldwide.

Two types of water spray are available, the choice depending on local regulations. The Incentive Temperature Potential (ITP) system recycles motor-cooling water into the spraying system, while the Jet Pipe sys-tem uses both cooling water and com-pressed air for dust suppression.

The first MR341 is scheduled for deliv-ery to New World Resources’ 2.9-million-mt/y ČSM mine in the Czech Republic shortly, with a three-month trial scheduled for the second quarter of the year. The largest single component—the main frame—weighs around 7 mt, with a two-week underground assembly schedule pos-sible with three-shift activity.

www.sandvik.com