The Role of Cable Reel Trucks
The many draglines and mining shovels are electrically powered through long, heavy-duty electrical cables. But the natural mining environment, coupled with weather extremes of hot and cold temperatures in Wyoming high country, can wear these cables out quickly, requiring their frequent replacement. In most cases, the long, heavy cables could be awkward and difficult to replace.
However, the task is made fast and simple by using highly efficient and maneuverable Ground Force Cable Reel Trucks (CRTs) that combine a Ground Force cable reel system with specially modified Cat 740B Articulated Truck.
“I don’t know the number or the miles of cable we have, but we have a lot of it and we move a lot every day. My best day ever on the CRT, I did 17,000 feet of cable in one day,” says operator Dave Slattery.
Designed for cost-efficient, one-person, in-cab operation, the cable reel trucks enable precise cable placement with the GF740B’s articulation, rotating reel turntable and rear-view cameras. The Cat engine, power train and six-wheel drive deliver reliable power, traction and maneuverability in the varying underfoot conditions and long grades encountered in the mine.
“The Ground Force CRT is more efficient as far as the laying out of the cable, keeping ahead of the shovels,” Slattery says. “It has good power on the cable drum and it’s smooth operating. I’ve been running them for a number of years and these new units are more advanced as far as the controls and on-board computers—and that has really helped out a lot for reeling the cable in and laying it out.
“The articulation of the machine is helpful when you turn and you’re laying out a cable so that you can see what you’re doing around the corner,” he continues. “It’ll swing the cab over to where you can see the cable better. As far as the hydraulic power and traction, there’s no comparison to our former units. This one’s way stronger.”
Caterpillar OEM Solutions works closely with Ground Force and local Cat dealer Wyoming Machinery to design and support the entire fleet of Ground Force trucks working in the Black Thunder mine.
Cat equipment in the mine employs on-board Cat technology. The Cat MineStar™ system is widely used throughout the mine to enhance safety, reduce costs, improve productivity and boost efficiency. Cat MineStar helps manage everything from material tracking to sophisticated real-time fleet management, machine health systems, autonomous equipment systems and more.
“Technology plays a huge role on our Ground Force trucks,” Burleson says. “They are tracked by MineStar, as are all the trucks in the mine, and go through a dispatcher who knows where every vehicle is at all times. And when it comes to the fuel/lube trucks, every type and amount of fluid dispensed is monitored.”
“TECHNOLOGY PLAYS A HUGE ROLE ON OUR GROUND FORCE TRUCKS. THEY ARE TRACKED BY MINESTAR, AS ARE ALL THE TRUCKS IN THE MINE, AND GO THROUGH A DISPATCHER WHO KNOWS WHERE EVERY VEHICLE IS AT ALL TIMES.”
Ground Force fuel/lube trucks and CRTs deliver proven, reliable 24/7/365 support for the gigantic equipment fleet at Black Thunder, where temperatures can range from a frigid 30° F below zero in deep winter, to a scorching 120° F in the blazing heat of summer.
Availability of the Ground Force units is right around 90 percent.
“If somebody asked about the operation of our Ground Force fuel/lube trucks, I’d have to tell them that they’re reliable trucks,” Burleson says. “They deliver everything in one shot, they’ve increased the safety of the fuel/lube truck operators and they help get things fueled and lubed a lot quicker.”
Dealer support
“I’ve worked with Caterpillar and Wyoming Machinery ever since I was hired here,” he continues, “and as far as working with the OEM it’s been a good experience. They provide great service. The parts availability is wonderful. If we need parts they have them there. If they don’t have them there, they’ve got them available somewhere close for us in a very timely manner.
“As far as service and the technician support, the Wyoming Machinery technicians are always there for the equipment, Burleson says. “They know what’s best on the equipment and they know what’s best for the customer.”
Many of the Cat machines in the mine are also covered by a Cat Maintenance and Repair Contract utilizing the product support expertise of Wyoming Machinery to help ensure maximum uptime for the equipment fleet at Black Thunder.
In addition, the large percentage of Cat components contained in the Ground Force trucks ensures parts and service availability.
“These Ground Force trucks are pretty easy to maintain because they contain a lot of the same parts as our haul trucks,” Burleson says.”
“Our relationship with our local Cat dealer, Wyoming Machinery, is very close,” he says. “It’s important for us to have that relationship because we’ve got a vast number of machines. So to be able to tackle any of the issues that could arise with so many pieces of equipment, you need help and support. And we get that support on a daily basis. During every shift we’ve got people here from Wyoming Machinery to help support this operation.”