Mining Magazine > Panorama > New Joy mid-seam simultaneous cut and bolt entry driver

Joy Mining Machinery has released its new 12ED25 mid-seam simultaneous cut and bolt entry driver, with the first unit shipped to a mine in the western US. The mine will use the new machine to develop its longwall gate access roads. It covers seam heights ranging from 2.7-4.6m, and it is designed to deliver increased productivity, longevity and safety and a lower cost per tonne.

The simultaneous cutting and bolting on the JOY 12ED25 entry driver improves work flow and roof control via automated cycles. The system can complete a fully-automated cutting cycle of up to a 127cm advance while simultaneously installing up to six roof bolts and eight rib bolts. Cutting cycles can be programmed to suit mine seam conditions or to match desired bolting cycles, while minimising dust output.

To optimise safety and ease of operation, it is equipped with extendable rib protection shields, along with roof canopies for both roof and rib drill operators. Due to the semi-mechanised operations and their ability to increase production and driving rates, the operator interaction in the working area may be reduced.

The JOY 12ED25 sump frame is designed with a long-life slide rail and pin mechanism with shims, replaceable wear strips and auto lubrication. This allows the stationary chassis to be pinned to the roof with two temporary roof support cylinders, which reduces floor degradation during the sumping and cutting operations. The new design is expected to extend wear life prior to the first major rebuild to more than 907,000t of entry development.

In addition, two forward-mounted roof bolters are attached to pods with a slide and tilt mechanism to fully cover all roof bolt positions; two lift and tilt rib bolters are used to place up to four bolts in either rib, while also installing angled and tensioned truss bolts.