DETAILED ANALYSIS Payload monitoring for hydraulic shovels uses a series of orientation and pressure sensors to provide bucket-by-bucket payload measurements to ensure efficiencies
Photo by: Motion Metrics
Monitoring solutions provider Motion Metrics has sold six of its ShovelMetrics payload monitoring solution systems for hydraulic shovels to a South African precious metals mine looking to improve its loading and hauling productivity.
The company says that the systems will be installed on six of the mine’s large CAT shovels, adding that many of these systems already feature the Motion Metrics missing-tooth detection solution and Motion Metrics in-bucket fragmentation analysis system.
Motion Metrics points out that shovel productivity varies significantly, based on loading practices. “Overloading trucks can reduce component life, leading to premature tyre wear, suspension failures and potential warranty voidance, while underloading a truck results in extra haulage cycles and lost productivity,” the company comments.
The Motion Metrics payload monitoring for hydraulic shovels uses a series of orientation and pressure sensors to provide bucket-by-bucket payload measurements to ensure every bucket and truck box fill is improved. The company remarks that, in addition to an easy-to-read on-board display for operators, the system uses radio-frequency identification sensors and detailed report generation capabilities, thereby providing detailed insights into loading practices for key management personnel for targeted performance improvement initiatives.
Moreover, Motion Metrics highlights that a case study performed on a Komatsu PC5500 hydraulic shovel indicated a 1% increase in average bucket payload resulted in cost savings of $1.7-million a year.