Pomona Quarries acquires Zim’s largest hydraulic hammers from Pelgin

Pomona Quarries acquires Zim’s largest hydraulic hammers from Pelgin

In an endeavor to increase production and reduce noise pollution at its quarry mining operation in Pomona Harare, one of the country’s biggest quarry extractors Pomona Stone Quarries acquired an EPIROC HB 3600 hammer from Zimbabwe’s official Volvo dealer, Pelgin Consulting Services.

Rudairo Mapuranga

Pelgin Managing Director Mr Gary Moorcroft handed over the EPIROC HB 3600 hammer to Collin Campbell of Pomona Stone Quarries at a ceremony held at the quarry extraction site in Pomona. An EPIROC HB 3600 hammer is one of the biggest hydraulic hammers in the country.

Although high efficiency has always been the focus in designing Epiroc hydraulic breakers, the HB 3600 units enjoy even greater efficiency than their predecessors in the heavy breaker range. Better utilization of the hydraulic input from the carrier has been achieved through innovative technology and the highest manufacturing standards.

According to Campbell, Pomona bought the hydraulic hammer from Pelgin to reduce noise pollution usually caused by blasting as well as to improve hammering speed.

“We were getting a lot of complaints from our neighbors, so this hammer will help reduce noise pollution and increase hammering time,” Campbell said.

The simultaneous purchase of the Volvo EC480DL Excavator is a perfect carrier for this large hammer. This Volvo Excavator is a 50-ton machine and compliments the other Volvo 70-ton excavator that is at Pomona Quarries. This also gives Pomona Quarries flexibility as the Volvo EC480DL can also be used as an excavator by removing the hammer and fitting the supplied bucket which is 2.66m3 in capacity.

Pomona Quarries acquires Zim’s largest hydraulic hammers from Pelgin 2

EPIROC HB 3600 Featuring Auto Control

AutoControl is a solution which boosts the productive performance of Epiroc hydraulic breakers. The system automatically controls the breaker’s output to suit the working conditions and rock hardness, thereby creating the perfect benefit for users: maximum blow frequency for soft materials, and maximum single-blow energy when things get tougher.

Advantages of Auto Control

  • helps to achieve consistently high productivity through the adjustment of single-blow energy and blow rate as from the first impact
    protects both the breaker and carrier unit during idle strokes
  • raises efficiency through energy recovery and precise control of piston movement under the most diverse working conditions
  • minimises the tendency of idle strokes in soft material
  • always starts with reduced single-blow energy
  • easy handling with “centring” of the tool

DustProtector II and VibroSilenced

This helps in protecting both the hammer unit and the bushings against damage as well as premature wear. This protective feature, unique with its two stages and only available with Epiroc hydraulic breakers, can optionally be installed on all HB breakers. With VibroSilence With this, it is no coincidence that Epiroc breakers are among the quietest on the market. This has been proven by measurements based on Directive 2000/14/EC, which gives a guaranteed sound power level of 121 dB (A).

WHY VOLVO ARTICULATED HAULERS ARE A CUT ABOVE THE REST

From developing the first series manufactured articulated haulier more than 55 years ago, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is continuing to dominate the field, with articulated hauliers that really pack a punch – delivering optimum performance at the lowest cost per ton.

Committed to innovation and development, Volvo CE continues to evolve its range of articulated hauliers, making them even smarter, more efficient and easier to operate.

Uptime is maximized too, whilst maintenance costs are kept to a minimum, reducing the total cost of ownership.

EFFICIENT OPERATION WITH HAUL ASSIST

The Haul Assist suite of tools is a game-changing solution designed to get the most out of the Volvo Articulated Hauler. Powered by a 10” Volvo Co-Pilot monitor – which is available on a variety of machines from hauliers and excavators to pavers – it provides valuable insight to help customers optimize the efficiency of their haul cycles and boost profitability.

A new addition to Haul Assist, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System enables the monitoring of tire pressure and temperature from the comfort of the cab. Inflation pressure having a marked impact on tire wear, and proactive monitoring is invaluable to optimize tire life as well as fuel efficiency, machine performance and operator comfort.

Map provides a real-time overview of the on-site traffic to help navigate around more effectively. The whereabouts of every machine and vehicle – irrespective of the type or brand – as well as visitors on site, are now visible, so long as they are connected to the map application. Alongside haul roads, Map also shows load and dump zones, and flags single-lane sections, restricted zones and speed-restricted areas helping to anticipate operating decisions and reduce unnecessary stops.

Also part of Haul Assist is On-Board Weighing, a proven tool that allows payload information to be viewed in real-time, helping to eliminate carry-back and overloading.

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As well as boosting productivity, this also reduces excessive fuel consumption and machine wear and tear.

SMARTER PERFORMANCE

Pomona Quarries acquires Zim’s largest hydraulic hammers from Pelgin 3

Operator comfort has always been at the heart of design – from the centrally- positioned operator seat offering excellent visibility, through to user-friendly controls.

And a range of automated functions is now offering even more support to enhance ease of operation and performance.

Terrain Memory is a handy feature of the intelligent Volvo drivetrain that identifies and remembers slippery road segments to ensure optimized traction control and off-road mobility. OptiShift enables fast and smooth directional changes, whilst Downhill Speed Control automatically maintains a constant speed when operating on downward gradients; both these, and the Cruise control function, are fitted as standard since 2019 and are available for retrofit on older hauliers.

MAXIMIZING UPTIME, MINIMIZING MAINTENANCE COSTS

Not only easy to operate and highly efficient but Volvo Articulated Haulers are also designed to be easy to service. Daily or even weekly greasing is a thing of the past, required instead every 250 hours on a Volvo Articulated Hauler, the longest time interval in the industry. Add to this long engine service intervals – up to 1,000 hours on Stage V and Tier 4 Final models – and less than half the fluid volume of most of its counterparts when measured over the lifetime of the machine. The result is reduced maintenance requirements and consumables, helping to keep the machine at work while lowering maintenance costs and environmental impact.

The improvements introduced to Volvo Articulated Haulers are delivering both performance and cost advantages for customers. New work-enhancing tools and straightforward servicing are just some examples contributing towards more profitable – and sustainable – operations. All part of Volvo CE’s commitment to drive transformation in the industry and achieve its goal to have net zero value chain emissions by 2040.


This article first appeared in the Mine Entra 2022 issue of the Mining Zimbabwe Magazine

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