Addressing the need for lower emissions 06 Jan 2016

Contractors in both Europe and the USA are having to meet increasingly strenuous emissions targets from the vehicles they use to perform underground operations, but without having to compromise on power and performance.

T4F engines for Normet Ultimec series (top), Spraymec series (middle) and Charmec series (bottom)

To that end, Normet launches its new M- and L-Series underground mining and tunnelling equipment offering with European Stage IV/US EPA Tier 4 Final Power Train technology (T4F) based on Cummins engines with an engine brake, lockable turbine and automatic gear selector. The new power and drivetrain concept provides a clean drive with the lowest possible emissions, higher speed in flat and inclined tunnels, superior driving and service ergonomics, and better driving properties on declines.

T4F technology is available for all Spraymec concrete sprayers, Utimec concrete transporters, Charmec explosive chargers, Himec/Utilift lifting and installation units, and Utimec, Variomec and Multimec material, personnel logistics and service vehicles on M-Series (10-tonne) and L-Series (16-tonne) carriers.

The new M-Series offering is equipped with a Cummins QSB4.5 119 KW engine and the L-Series with a Cummins QSB6.7 168 KW engine. The exhaust after-treatment system uses exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) technology with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF urea). The new engine technology requires the use of ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) with a maximum sulphur content of 15ppm or less.

T4F engines provide a much cleaner drive and better fuel economy than older generation engines. As emissions from one T3 machine equal those of 10 T4F machines, the reduction in diesel engine emissions is 90% compared to T3 technology. T4F engines also consume 8% less fuel than T3 engines.

All the new equipment will be fitted with an engine brake and lockable turbine as standard in a Dana 24000 transmission for the M-Series; and a Dana 32000 transmission for the L-Series. The engine brake provides a controlled drive in a decline tunnel, totally eliminating the need to apply the service brake. In inclined tunnels, the lock-up turbine transfers the power from the engine to the wheels with the highest possible efficiency and gives 2km/h higher speed.

The automatic gear selector uses three gears for the MC, MF and LC Series and four gears for LF Series transportation vehicles like Utimec, Multimec and Variomec concrete transporters, dumpers and service vehicles. The LF Series’ maximum speed is up 77% from 18km/h for the older offering to 32km/h for the new offering, which significantly cuts work-process-related cycle times.

All MF and LF Series equipment with a front cab is available with Normet’s hydraulic suspension system. This provides a comfortable drive, reduces driving vibration by 65‒90% and minimizes operator fatigue. Together with the new driving features and automatic gear changer, the T4F units offer remarkably better driving ergonomics than earlier generation machines.

Since September 2015 Normet has delivered equipment with T4F engine technology to mining and tunnelling customers in Europe.