Tag: E15 Agitator 7m3

R1500: first fully designed and manufactured LHD loader

Built on a passion for mining and manufacturing, it’s no surprise Elphinstone has been leading the way in equipment innovation and design for half a century.

Following an economic downturn in the mid-1980s, mining companies wanted to reduce their tunnel sizes, which required smaller machines with equal capacity.

In 1986, Elphinstone accepted the challenge and, in just 7 months, they produced and sold their first fully designed and manufactured load haul dump loader (LHD), the R1500.

The following year, Elphinstone sold its first R1500 overseas to Henderson Mine in the US - now owned by Freeport McMoRan.

Dale recalls negotiating with the purchasing team at Henderson Mine: “The guy said to me quietly, you realise that your machine price is double your competition, and I said back to him quietly, I had no idea what the price of our competition was, because we sell the value of our product and what it will do for you”.

Elphinstone replaced 36 of the competition’s loaders at Henderson with just 10 Elphinstone R1500 LHD loaders.

Henderson Mine, Colorado

The Henderson mine is near the Urad mine, which produced molybdenum from 1914 to the 1960s, before exhausting its orebody. Owner Climax Molybdenum Co. recognised the potential for deeper orebodies in the area, and discovered the Henderson deposit in 1964. The mine was named after mining engineer Robert Henderson.

Production began in 1976; on Jan. 4, 2010, workers mined the billionth pound of molybdenum. In 2006, remaining ore reserves were estimated to be 500 million pounds of recoverable molybdenum.

The Henderson mine was considered by the National Science Foundation as one of the two final candidates for the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory, but lost to the Homestake Mine in South Dakota.

Tyre handler was safer and more efficient for operators

Manufactured in 1983 using a modified Caterpillar 920 wheel loader, the Elphinstone 923 Tyre Handler was a specialised piece of equipment designed to make changing tyres on underground equipment safer and more efficient for operators.

Elphinstone sold the 923 Tyre Handler to Renison Mine, located in Rosebery on the West Coast of Tasmania. Dale Elphinstone travelled to the mine to train the operators in person. The second owner was Dick Beckett, of Becketts, Exeter, Tasmania, where the machine presently resides.

The 923 Tyre Handler was one of 7 underground service units designed and manufactured by D.B. Elphinstone Pty Ltd in the 1980s. The range also included the 814 Underground Dozer, 980 Rock Bolter, 925 Scaling Unit, 925 Service Unit (with basket), 4000 Forklift Truck, and the AP20 Articulated Personnel Carrier.

Machine Record - 923 Tyre Handler

Machine history records show the following:

• Based on: Cat 920 Wheel Loader
• Machine serial #: 0507816
• Engine serial no: 48V58580
• Customer: Renison
• Elphinstone job#: 1344
• Delivery date: 31.10.1983

Renison Tin Operations

Tin was first discovered in the Renison Bell area in 1890 by George Renison Bell. In the 1930s, extensive exploration of the region led to a surge in mining activity.

In 1958, Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company Limited acquired the site, investing in considerable infrastructure to bring mining activities into line with modern production methods.

Expansion continued well into the 1990s with ownership changing hands several times, but each investing in the modernisation of mining operations.

In the early 2000s, Renison Tin Operations was born under the operation of Bluestone Mines Tasmania Joint Venture, a partnership between Metals X Limited and Yunnan Tin Group.

Drum Volume

7m³ Capacity

Nominal Capacity

Engine

Cat C7.1 ACERT

Tier 3 - Standard / Tier 4 Final - Optional

Gross Power Tier 3

168kW/228hp

Tier 4 Final 151kW/202hp

Gross Vehicle Mass

35,860 kg

Outstanding ride and handling with excellent manoeuvrability

Built to thrive in harsh underground environments, the E15 Agitator 7m3 specialises in transporting shotcrete or concrete to backfill voids. This agitator has outstanding ride and handling at any speed, full or empty, for lower cycle times and greater productivity, with onboard mixing and loading via the chute or conveyor.

Machine Commonality

The cab chassis is common to all E15 models and can be easily configured to suit your mine site application requirements. The high number of common configurable parts and components reduces part stocking and simplifies maintenance and operation. The E15 components provide a high level of reliability, durability and superior parts availability worldwide through the global Cat dealer network.

Front-mounted cab with a 180-degree view

At 2.4m high, the front-mounted operator cabin features 3-person seating, air conditioning, an ergonomic central driving position with a clear 180-degree view, and a dial controller for the retarder, speed and implement controls. Operator comfort and convenience are further enhanced with an air-cooled compartment for lunch box storage, cupholders and smartphone charging ports.

High level of operator comfort

The A-frame front axle suspension, oscillating hitch, and air-suspended seats deliver a high level of machine comfort to the operator and passengers.  The oscillating hitch ensures 4-wheel ground contact and reduced wear on the hitch and steering components. Nitrogen-charged hydraulic suspension cylinders and A-frame provide superior front axle ride quality over rough terrain.

Shared engine front frame

Common to the E15 and E10 range, the engine front frame can accommodate optional Cat C7.1 Tier 3 or Tier 4 Final engine arrangements featuring Caterpillar’s breakthrough ACERT™ Technology to meet exhaust emission reduction standards.

The engine’s efficient fuel delivery, air management, and electronic control lead to high productivity and exceptional service life. An optional full-flow DPF may be fitted in place of the standard muffler and catalytic converter on Tier 3 models.

All engine and machine isolation functions are conveniently located on one panel accessible from ground level on the left-hand side.

Common rear frame

All the application modules pin and/or bolt to the common rear frame, including the 7m3 agitator bowl. The frame is adaptable for multiple applications with 16.00R20 tyres, heavy-duty axles and different weight distribution; the machine has greater carrying capacity.

High-capacity electromagnetic retarder

Fitted as standard to the rear frame is a high-capacity electromagnetic retarder, which provides superior braking performance on grade and diagnostic capabilities, with alarm and fault conditions reported back to the 12-inch touchscreen operator display.

The integrated Retarder Control System (iRCS) combines control and power functions into a single unit. The innovative electronic design significantly reduces the retarder’s energy consumption, preserving electric circuits.

Speed control

The E15 also features ‘speed control’ whereby the operator can set the maximum speed on grade, and the machine uses the retarder and the inertia of the powertrain to maintain the speed. When on flat ground, the operator can accelerate over the maximum set speed, but when the accelerator pedal is released, the machine speed will revert to the original maximum speed setting.

Front and rear hydraulic jacks

An optional feature of the E15 is the front and rear hydraulic jacks. The front jacks operate with a “park” function to enable the operator to safely exit the cabin with the engine operating. The rear jacks are used to level or lift the machine for discharge. All jacks can lift the machine off the ground for changing tyres.

Ground-level access for servicing

All service points such as tanks, filters, lubrication points and compartment drains are conveniently located at ground level for servicing.

Downtime during service and maintenance is reduced markedly on the E15 due to clever engineering and design features, incorporated with service personnel in mind.

Quick-change air filters and 500-hour oil service intervals reduce downtime and keep machines in operation longer for greater productivity. A centralised onboard service centre includes fast fill, evacuation, and fluid sample points for analysis.

Summary of key features:

• Front-mounted 3-person operator cabin (Height of 2445mm).
• Air conditioning.
• Centre driving position with a clear 180-degree view.
• A dial controller is located on the operator's armrest for retarder and implement control.
• An air-cooled compartment for lunch box storage, cupholders and phone charging ports.
• Caterpillar C7.1 Tier 3 or Caterpillar C7.1 Tier 4 Final engine.
• 7m³ Agitator Bowl Carrying Capacity
• Excellent manoeuvrability and turning circle.
• Outstanding ride and handling.
• Common front frame, engine, and transmission with the E10 model.
• A-frame front suspension with nitrogen-filled suspension cylinders.
• Oscillating hitch to ensure all wheels maintain contact with the road surface.
• A high-capacity electromagnetic retarder is standard on all E15 configurations.
• Speed control for maximum speed on grade.
• Common rear frame for multiple applications.
• 16.00R20 tyres and heavy-duty axles are standard.
• An optional partial-flow DPF can be fitted in place of the standard muffler and catalytic converter on Tier 3 models.
• Front and rear hydraulic jacks are optional.
• Air-ride seats for the operator are standard and optional for passengers.
• A 12-inch touch screen with onboard advanced diagnostics is a standard feature.
• Optional in-cabin filtration complying with ISO23875.