Plow Systems Brochure

Automated Plow Systems vs. Shearer  English

Video: Automated Plow Systems

Specifications for Plow Systems

 

Key Features

• Plowing with predefined cutting depth • Horizon control • Block anchorages keep the conveyor and plow exactly on course,   even when the longwall climbs or falls • Integrated overload protection • Selective mining without cutting of adjacent strata through rapid   change of mining height means lower preparation costs of mined   coal and minimum wear and minimum dust load in the longwall • Drive power of up to 1600 kW guarantees rapid production even in   the event of geological faults. (Faults up to approximately seam   height can be traversed.) • Our knowledge and experience have made Bucyrus the world   leader in plow technology • Special plow roof supports from Bucyrus provide optimum support   for conveyors and plows • Only maintenance personnel required under good geological   conditions and for fully automated and remote-controlled operation

Automation and Incremental Plowing

Automation is the most important feature of a modern plow system. It turns a simple, robust tool into a high-performance mining machine. Automation plow systems from Bucyrus monitor and control: • Continuous monitoring of position, speed and direction of the plow • Defined advance of the line pan and thus of plow guide after each   step independent of coal hardness, seam structure and faults • Integrated error correction, ensuring correct alignment of the face   conveyor when stepping cylinders are extended different amounts • Automatic advance of the roof support as required • Even, optimum loading of the face conveyor • Plow chain overload protection • No plow operator required at longwall during automatic operation • Visualization of the status of the roof support, plow position,   longwall etc. at central computer

Plow Horizon Control

Bucyrus’s unique horizon control allows optimal control of the on the plow longwall horizon, thus minimizing mining of adjacent strata. Hydraulic cylinders that can be extended vertically against the outriggers allow the tilt of the face conveyor to be adjusted, thus controlling the cutting horizon of the plow body. In this way the plow can follow the seam up or down. The horizon control is also an important function for traversing geological faults. Advantages • Optimal height of the plow in the coal • Little adjacent strata, resulting in:    • Lower preparation costs    • Less wear on tear on plow bits and drive unit    • Lower dust load • Automation possible using sensors and electrohydraulic control

Overload Protection

Overload (UEL) drives from Bucyrus regulate the power in drives for the drive chain and chain conveyors to stay within the optimum range. This protects the chains from overload, substantially reducing the risk of chain breaks. This protects all mechanically stressed parts of the plow body – in particular the plow bits. Advantages • Constant monitoring of clutch pressure and slip by means of   sensors • Constant balancing of measured data of the two drives at either   end of the longwall by the electronic controller • Rapid switch-off of motors in the event of overload to prevent chain   break or damage to drives • Available with up to 800 kW per drive • Considerably higher service life of face conveyor chain, plow chain   and chain sprockets