Cat introduce the 6020B mining shovel
New hydraulic mining shovel designed for safe, efficient and simple operation and maintenance
THE new Cat 6020B is a brand new model in the extensive line of Caterpillar hydraulic mining shovels. The clean-sheet design features a 22-tonne payload and 224-tonne operating weight and teams with the Cat 777G Off-Highway truck for optimized loading and hauling in smaller mines and large quarries.
First announced last year and soon to be commercially available, following extensive field testing, Cat say the 6020B is designed for simplicity and reliability without compromising safety.
The 6020B features a new, state-of-the-art cab and operator station with class-leading visibility provided by the large floor window and expansive windscreen and side windows. Unrestricted lines of sight to the crawler tracks and pit/quarry floor aid the operator when repositioning the shovel and when loading trucks. The innovative cab design also includes two additional seats for a trainer and an observer – a first in this size class of shovels.
‘All the mining company operators working with our three test machines – in three different countries – adapted to the 6020B very quickly, regardless of their previous experience on other equipment,’ said Caterpillar operator trainer Steve Maloney. ‘The three-seat cab design allowed me to train two operators at the same time, making operator training more efficient. And the elevated trainer’s seat provides an unobstructed view of the digging area, which is crucial when training operators on new equipment.’
Modular construction with a walk-through power module allows easy access to components for superior serviceability, while the 778kW (1,043hp) Cat C32 ACERT single-engine configuration also simplifies maintenance.
Patent-pending dedicated pump flow allocation technology governs hydraulic pump utilization to reduce energy losses and increase fuel savings. Additionally, dedicated pumps move hydraulic oil through the cooling circuit when needed to maintain optimum oil temperature and keep the machine working even in the most demanding climates and applications.
The 6020B also features an automatic lubricant system to reduce service time and help ensure durability. The hydraulically driven pump supplies grease to the swing bearing, the swing gearbox bearing and all pivot points of the attachment.
The 6020B is configured as a backhoe and handles a standard bucket size of 12.0 cubic meters. Cat MultiPlus rock buckets are suitable for standard rock and soil applications, while high abrasion rock buckets are more heavily protected for use in dense rock and aggressive digging conditions. A coal bucket also is available.
Cat hammerless bucket teeth are designed specifically for the 6020B and help to optimize performance. A simple 180° turn locks and unlocks each tooth for safe and fast installation and removal.
‘When working in a continuous three-shift environment, reliability is the most important factor, and productivity is the second most important factor. This machine looks like it will fulfil these criteria and will be a good machine for us,’ said Arto Hartikainen, managing director of E. Hartikainen Oy, a Finnish mining contractor who has been field testing a pre-production model of the 6020B.
The 6020B is designed to accept four of the capability sets of Cat MineStar System – the most comprehensive suite of technologies available for the mining industry. The ‘Detect’ capability set includes cameras and more advanced sensing technologies to enhance operator awareness; ‘Terrain’ provides loading guidance; ‘Fleet’ provides tracking, assignment and production reporting,; and ‘Health’ reports machine condition and provides diagnostic tools.
In addition to being MineStar ready, the 6020B is equipped with standard diagnostic capabilities and troubleshooting functions through its Board Control System, which uses sensors throughout the machine to monitor operating data, record faults, and notify the operator audibly and visually, thereby providing the earliest possible detection of faults and allowing for timely maintenance planning and assistance for speedy repair.
