Atlas Copco Coaltram
Introduction
The next generation and latest benchmark for Utility Vehicles in the Underground Coal Industry
The worldwide release of the new Atlas Copco Coaltram underground coal utility vehicles at AIMEX 2007 is borne from a combination of the resources and technologies from a well known Australian company, the Anderson Group of Companies and the Swedish multinational, Atlas Copco.
The Anderson Group and Atlas Copco have an association that spans many years, during which time Anderson has actively supported the Atlas Copco Wagner product range in the Australian Underground Coal Industry. Recently the Atlas Copco Coaltram has emerged from a long period of design with influence and input from both companies. The Atlas Copco Coaltram is available in two models, the compact and manoeuvrable CT10 which has a 10 tonne rating and the larger CT13 which has a 13 tonne capacity. They both feature the Caterpillar C7 turbo diesel engine which has a Tier 3 origin exhaust emission rating.
The Atlas Copco Coaltrams are designed, assembled, tested and provided to the world market from Anderson's Newcastle facility in New South Wales, Australia. Major frame components are supplied by Atlas Copco Sweden in kit form and Australian local content is added to complete the coal specification. The Atlas Copco Coaltram design, integrity and maintainability recently underwent and passed rigorous and intensive scrutiny by the well respected Swedish Atlas Copco engineering team.
These new Atlas Copco Coaltram models benefit from a survey of Industry engineers and operators which identified numerous items that have been incorporated into the build of the CT10 and CT13.
Research of incident reports and technical bulletins relating to similar machines over the past decade has assisted in the identification of improvements.
A selection of the key items and improvements found in Coaltram are listed below:
- Safety
- No exposed hydraulic hoses in the cabin
- No exposed hydraulic hoses in the engine bay
- Optional use of cameras for safety and vision
- KAT Master Hitch system utilizing twin locking cylinders with visual indicators to ensure cylinders are locked into place.
- All routine maintenance achievable from ground level, no requirement to climb on or over machine
- Zero pressure radiator surge tank to reduce likelihood of burns by hot water
- Ergonomics
- Operator foot box – additional operator comfort and leg room
- Positioning of transmission to reduce heat, noise and give extra room in operator compartment
- Dual steering controls giving any operator the option of wheel or stick control at any time
- Clean burning electronically controlled Cat C7 Tier 3 origin engine
- Gel cushioned seat is self levelling and pneumatically suspended
- Ergonomic cab has been tested with operators ranging from 150cm to 195cm in height and some up to 130kg, all had significant increased comfort compared to other similar machines
- Cabin sound proofing and padded upholstery
- Reliability
- Complete engine system package is cradle mounted for ease of maintenance.
- Very high temperature drop across the engine radiator to prevent overheating
- Extended brake life with forced cooled and filtered brakes.
- Rapid Yield valves installed on cylinders to prevent overloading and damaging hydraulic spikes
- Basic hydraulic systems using proven gear pumps and robust components
- Performance
- Coaltram CT10 is narrower and shorter than comparable machines yet provides excellent stability due, in part, to its low centre of gravity
- Z bar boom design increases break out force and reduces load on crowd cylinder.
- High engine horsepower and excellent tractive effort.
The Coaltram design has benefited from the latest International legislative requirements and is supported by operational risk assessments, design risk assessments, failure modes and effect analysis and black coal competency standards. See you at the Anderson Group of Companies Stand No. 416 during Sydney AIMEX from Sept 4th to 7th, 2007. The Coaltram with a variety of interchangeable engineer rated and certified attachments/implements can perform a wide range of utility functions such as:
- LHD/Loader
- Forklift • Materials handling
- Supplies • Drilling and Bolting
- Longwall Shield relocation
- Cable handling
- Grading •
- Dozing
- Lift/Slew