Over the years, miners have employed a myriad of tools and machines at mining sites. But let’s not dwell on the past with rudimentary tools like sieves and sifters. We’re here to talk about the evolution of mining equipment, tailored to fit the demands and advancements of our current era. Mining has transformed into a colossal industry, demanding a plethora of heavy-duty, specialized machinery to meet the demands of mining projects. Gone are the days of antiquated tools; welcome to the age of cutting-edge mining technology.
What Types of Mining Equipment are Used?
Mining operations demand a multitude of equipment and vehicles to accomplish the task. Many of these machines find utility beyond mining, such as excavators, bulldozers, forklifts, and graders used in road construction and accessing mine sites. Harness the versatility of our equipment to conquer diverse challenges beyond mining.
Let’s take a quick glance at 5 key types of mining machinery you’ll find on mining sites:
1. Loaders:
Wheel loaders, sometimes referred to as front-end loaders, are among the most vital equipment in both mining and large-scale construction business. These powerhouse machines are used for lifting and transporting debris, soil, gravel, rocks, and anything else that needs to be cleared from the mining site. When it comes to earthmoving, the bulldozer is one of the most commonly utilized pieces of mining equipment.
Wheel loaders boast a front-end bucket attachment capable of maneuvering up and down to lift heavy loads. Often, they serve the dual purpose of both lifting materials and transporting them from one location to another. This versatility makes them indispensable in any mining operation.
However, unlike some mining machinery that operates on tracks, the bulldozer features four large wheels and a cab positioned atop, providing the operator with clear visibility of the front blade.
2. Bulldozers:
The crawler bulldozer shares many similarities with its wheeled counterpart, yet it also brings its own distinct advantages to the table.
It operates on tracks instead of wheels, granting unparalleled maneuverability in uneven or rocky terrains.
However, its primary function differs; instead of grading and lifting to great heights, bulldozers are employed to push large quantities of material. While the front attachment may not be as deep as a bucket and cannot carry the same mass, it can be utilized to gather materials at ground level.
Crawler bulldozers distribute the weight of the tractor evenly, providing it with exceptional pushing power. This is why they are frequently utilized across mining sites. The use of crawler dozers enables the crushing and pushing of coal, road construction, and heavy material transportation. Moreover, these bulldozers can clear the way for workers by removing obstacles with their front blades.
Read more:
Worker Safety: 5 Key Considerations to Avoid Accidents
3. Tire Processors:
When inquiring about heavy equipment used in mining, you’ll notice that many answers revolve around wheels—gigantic wheels, to be precise. The tires used for these wheels are massive and not manually maneuverable. This is where Tire Processors come into play.
Tire processors are primarily utilized for removing, replacing, and repairing tires on heavy earthmoving equipment. As you can imagine, changing the tires of wheel loaders and other mining machines is nothing like changing regular car tires. These tires weigh hundreds of kilograms, yet tire processors enable workers to swap them out with ease.
The overall design of a tire processor may resemble that of a wheeled bulldozer, but the front attachment is entirely different, as are the control tools, tailored to suit the nature and function of this machine.
4. Motion Graders:
Mining operations typically require motion graders to level surfaces. These surfaces often include roads used by workers to access mining sites. However, they are also invaluable in smoothing all types of surfaces surrounding the mine, making them one of the most impactful mining machines on business.
They bear a striking resemblance to the graders we mentioned earlier. Except in cases where graders excel in moving large quantities of material, grading machines are used for greater precision.
Where tractor blades are primarily used for pushing into the ground, moving smaller amounts of dirt and debris more precisely. Consequently, many projects utilize tractors to do much of the debris hauling, then bring in a motion grader to level the surface.
5. Dump Trucks:
When you need to transport a large quantity of materials in one go, the dump truck is what you need from mining machinery. It’s a commonly used piece of mining equipment used to transport anything from sand and gravel to crushed rocks.
The dump truck, also known as a tipper truck, consists of a front section, or cab, and a rear section that tilts up and down to allow for easy material discharge. Most dump trucks have the capacity to carry up to 30 tons of materials.
Given their design, resembling more of a traditional truck compared to some other mining equipment like loaders, these dump trucks boast excellent maneuverability and pivot capabilities within tight spaces. This provides operators with enhanced flexibility, particularly in confined areas.
When it comes to purchasing mining machinery on a large scale, Khadro International is your primary supplier. We can deliver machines and heavy equipment to any location worldwide.
Contact us today to discuss any of your mining machinery needs. We’re ready to talk with you and assist you in achieving your goals.
