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Innovation eliminates latch assembly downtime

Bucyrus has introduced the LatchFree Dipper System and the HydraCrowd TM electric rope shovel technologies.

According to Bucyrus, the arrival of the LatchFree Dipper System will render latch assembly downtime a thing of the past for current and future owners of Bucyrus mining shovels.

The Bucyrus LatchFree Dipper System replaces the latch assembly with a strong steel link, which is positioned on the dipper back.

By moving the LatchFree Dipper System to the back of the dipper, the vital holding and closing components of the LatchFree System are not subject to the harsh conditions of the lower dipper door.

Exposure to material flow and threats of ground, haul truck, or in-pit hopper/feeder strikes are no longer an issue.

In addition, the system is maintained when the dipper and dipper door are refurbished, allowing for a more predictable maintenance schedule.

Unlike the standard latch assembly, the LatchFree Dipper System requires no maintenance of the latch bar, latch keeper, shims, and inserts.

Additionally, there is no need for regular adjustments, eliminating exposure of maintenance personnel to potentially harmful situations.

The system is manufactured exclusively for Bucyrus mining shovels and will be offered as optional equipment on all new Bucyrus 295, 395, and 495 shovels.

In addition, the system can be retrofitted to existing Bucyrus 295, 395, and 495 shovel models.

HydraCrowd

The HydraCrowd represents the newest innovation in crowd technology developed for electric rope shovels, according to Bucyrus

A hydraulic cylinder inside the tubular dipper handle eliminates the crowd retract ropes and rack and pinion gearing. It also removes the drum in the machinery house used to hold the ropes.

The rope crowd gearing and drum assembly are replaced by a hydraulic power pack, installed in the machinery house in the spot left vacant by the drum assembly.

HydraCrowd provides instantaneous, responsive control with smooth vibration-free operation, and it negates the heavy inertial loading of rack and pinion style crowd systems.

The entire HydraCrowd system is controlled with proven Bucyrus IGBT control systems and has complete diagnostic and troubleshooting information with step-by-step instructions.

An automated PLC controlled warm-up cycle facilitates cold weather start up, conveniently visible at the operators control screen.

A hydraulic oil cooler caps oil temperature to 60°C for an extended service life on HydraCrowd equipped shovels working in warmer temperatures.

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