Maintenance And Operation Of High Capacity Underground Mining Machinery

Modern high capacity underground mining machinery is a complex of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic components which have greatly increased capability over similar components of mining machinery of ten and. even five years ago. Looking into the future I feel certain in stating that there will be changes equally great in the coming five and ten year periods. With this premise in mind, I should like to bring to your attention some of the things that do and will have a continued major impact on the industry, particularly as they relate to the maintenance and operation of these machines of increasing capability. In underground mining today, nearly every individual plays a key role. A machine operator's importance in his work is comparable with that of the pilot of an airplane, a railroad engineman, a bus driver, a skilled machinist, a bulldozer operator and many others whose assignment is one of doing, by himself, with his hands and his brains all that the specially designed machine has been created to do. These machine operators are supported by a staff of skilled engineers, maintenance personnel, supervision, etc., but objectives are realized only when the operator maintains his schedule. What is being done and what can be done to make it easier for the operator to maintain his schedule which, as with the airplane, is constantly being improved? This question can be answered best, perhaps, by dividing the subject into four general categories - (A) Power Supply. (B) Control and Protective Devices. (C) Hydraulic Component Design. (D) Mechanical Design.