Within the U.S. mining industry, many coal mines find quick success in mining shallow coal first. Once that supply is harvested, however, greater depths must be sounded. In Wyoming, this task is particularly challenging, since underlying coal deposits tend to be tilted, requiring the use of extra-large equipment on site.
To that end, Cloud Peak Energy, based in Gilette, Wyoming, has announced plans to move one of their dragline excavators forty-three miles from one of their mining sites to another.
This is no small feat, however. Draglines are more than just some of the largest pieces of mining equipment: they are some of the largest machines in the world. According to specs listed by Cat, their 8750 model dragline excavator boasts bucket capabilities of 76 - 116 m3 / 100 - 152 yd3 and boom lengths of 109.7 - 132.5 m / 360 - 435 ft.
No wonder the Cloud Peak dragline hasn't been moved from their Cordero Rojo mine in the late 1990s, when it was delivered in segments and assembled on site.
Moving the excavator is quite an undertaking, since there's no question of simply driving it from one site to another.
The dragline couldn't realistically make the 43-mile trip from Cordero Rojo to Antelope under its own power. The farthest the machine would move during mining is about three-quarters of a mile (Casper Star Tribune).We wish the best of luck to Cloud Peak as they arrange this massive undertaking. Here's to hoping that they accomplish the move safely and successfully.
Remember that we carry a full roster of OTR tires for all your mining needs. Please feel free to contact us for the best deals.
Image credit: Cat.com
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