We have been designing and building longwall plows since 1941 - and things have come a long way. Technical advances since 1990 have once again established plowing as the preferred longwall mining method for seams below 1.8 m (70 in). Cat® plows offer world-leading features that other manufacturers cannot and a cost of ownership that far outstrips the shearer when mining thin and medium seams. Their reliability, high-productivity and ability to mine in-seam make them the ideal choice for longwall mining medium and thin seams.
Cat plows offer world-leading features that other manufacturers cannot offer - and cost per tonne (ton) that far outstrips shearer performance in thin and medium seams, making them reliable, high-productivity longwall mining systems for medium and thin seams, like the Gliding Plow System GH1600.
How It Works -
The plowing principle is simple: A sculpted steel plow body equipped with strategically-placed cutting bits is pulled along the face conveyor from one end of the face to the other by a continuous loop chain powered by drives located at the face ends. Cutting depth is electronically controlled by pushing the AFC toward the coal ace in preselected increments after the plow has passed.
Height-adjustable -
The height of the plow body is easily and completely adjustable within a certain range, ensuring that only coal is cut. The plow body height can also be adjusted in larger increments by installing or removing additional bit blocks. Both adjustments can be performed quickly and easily from the gob-side.
Remote Control -
No operator is required at the longwall face itself. Operation can be controlled from a central control station either underground - for example, at the head gate entry - or on the surface, so operators can work remotely in a dirt- and dust-free area. The outrigger steering system provides vertical horizon control. Steering is normally controlled manually, but can be automated. Shields are positioned to suit the longwall's geology and normally advance automatically with the cutting action of the plow.
System of Choice -
The removal rate achieved by plows compared to shearers has continued to increase over the years. For seams with an average height under 1.8 m (70 in), plows are now the system of choice for longwall mining. But the GH1600 can mine up to 2.5 m (98.4 in). In seams from 1.8 to 2.3 m (90.5 in), the choice of plow or shearer depends on the geological conditions.