Normet has launched its new M- and L-Series underground mining and tunneling equipment line with European Stage IV/U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final (4F) power train technology, featuring Cummins engines and equipped with an engine brake, lockable turbine and automatic gear selector. The new power and drivetrain concept, according to Normet, provides the lowest possible emissions, higher speed in flat and inclined tunnels, superior driving and service ergonomics, and better driving properties on declines. Tier 4F technology is available for all Spraymec concrete sprayers, Utimec concrete transporters, Charmec explosive chargers, Himec/Utilift lifting and installation units, and Utimec, Variomec and Multimec material, personnel logistics and service vehicles on M-Series (10 t) and L-Series (16 t) carriers.
The new M-Series offering is equipped with a Cummins QSB4.5 119-kW engine and the L-Series with a Cummins QSB6.7 168-kW engine. The exhaust after-treatment system uses exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) technology with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF urea). The new engine technology requires the use of ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD).
Tier 4F engines produce fewer emissions and provide better fuel economy than older generation engines, said Normet, noting that emissions from one Tier 3 machine equal those from 10 Tier 4F machines. Tier 4F engines also consume 8% less fuel than Tier 3 engines.
All the new equipment will be fitted with an engine brake and lockable turbine as standard in a Dana 24000 transmission for the M-Series and a Dana 32000 transmission for the L-Series. The engine brake provides fully controlled operations in a decline tunnel, eliminating any need to apply the service brake. In inclined tunnels, the lockup turbine transfers the power from the engine to the wheels with the highest possible efficiency and offers 2 km/h higher speed.
The automatic gear selector uses three gears for the MC, MF and LC Series, and four gears for LF Series transportation vehicles like Utimec, Multimec and Variomec concrete transporters, dumpers and service vehicles. The LF Series’ maximum speed is up 77% from 18 km/h for the older offering to 32 km/h for the new offering.
