1. Introduction to Underground Mining Equipment
Underground mining does bring some peculiar difficulties and requires particular equipment that will be able to create efficiency, safety, and productivity. The basic machines include underground boom trucks and underground scissor lifts that perform different work. These works fall into a category of machines called mobile elevating work platforms, which allow workers to access those elevated areas that are not easily accessible inside the mine. Knowing their differences is important in selecting the right equipment for your mining operations.
2. Understanding Underground Boom Trucks
The underground boom trucks are multi-purpose machines intended for both vertical and horizontal access to elevated work areas. It is a hydraulic arm capable of maneuvering itself around obstructions. They find their application in those tasks which require wide range of motion and reach within the confined spaces of underground mines.
2.1. Types of Underground Boom Trucks
There are, in the main, two kinds of boom trucks used in underground mining, namely:
Articulating Boom Lifts: These have arms that articulate at several points, enabling them to reach over and up obstacles. This type is very helpful when navigating through tight areas or working around existing infrastructure.
Telescopic Boom Lifts: These have straight arms that extend like a telescope. They are best suited for tasks requiring maximum vertical and horizontal reach, and when stability at high elevations is needed.
2.2. Key Features of Underground Boom Trucks
Higher Reach-Vertical and Horizontal: It can outreach much higher and farther as compared to scissor lifts. Thus, it is very ideal for those complex areas that are very inaccessible. Telescopic lifts reach between 30 to 210 feet, while articulating lifts reach between 30 to 135 feet.
Manuevreability: Articulated boom lifts provide greater versatility in maneuverability, with the operators able to work around obstacles.
Stability: Stability in straight boom lifts is maintained at high elevations.
Smaller Platform Size: Boom lifts generally have smaller platforms, often designed for a single worker.
Versatility: They are suitable for various tasks, including piping work, exterior cleaning, and maintenance projects.
Diesel and Electric Options: Both diesel and electric models are available; electric versions can be used in indoor or confined spaces with non-marking tires.
3. Understanding Undercarriage Scissor Lifts
Underground scissor lifts are designed to lift workers and materials vertically up to a certain height. The mechanism includes linked, folding supports in an X-pattern, extending to raise the platform. Applications for underground scissor lifts include jobs that require direct vertical access and a larger platform area for multiple workers and equipment.
3.1. Types of Underground Scissor Lifts
Electric Scissor Lifts: These are mainly applied for indoor uses, both in manufacturing and construction, and also are good to go for painting, electrical works, and inventory stacking. Besides that, they are quiet and produce zero emissions.
Rough Terrain Scissor Lifts: Diesel-powered, these models are designed for outdoor applications; their platforms are larger, with the capability of operating on uneven terrain.
Hydraulic and Pneumatic Options: These lifts may be powered with hydraulic or pneumatic systems and offer fail-safe descent options via manual valve release.
3.2 Key Features of Underground Scissor Lifts ·
Vertical Movement: Scissor lifts only move vertically, offering stable, straight-up access. ·
Large Platforms: Platform size is normally bigger than in boom lifts and thus can allow multiple workers with heavy materials to be lifted.
Higher Load Capacity: They are designed to carry higher loads than boom lifts. For example, a 50-foot rough terrain scissor lift may take on as much as 2,250 pounds.
Stability: The scissor design contributes to the general stability of the lift.
Limited Reach: Scissor lifts have limited vertical reach with no horizontal extension.
Affordability: Generally, they are cheaper than boom lifts, hence suitable for projects that have strict budgets.
4. Differences between Underground Scissor Lift and Underground Boom Truck
Understanding their core differences aids in the choosing of the required equipment for certain mining needs:
4.1. Vertical reach and height ability
Boom Lift : They have increased vertical reach by a greater fraction, with higher models reaching upwards of 210 feet. Perfect for high raised tasks.
Scissor Lifts: In general, scissor lifts will have a considerably lower vertical reach, normally around 60-70 feet; this is great for tasks with lower heights, where only simple vertical movement is required.
4.2. Maneuverability and Access
Boom Lifts: Great maneuverability, specifically articulating versions, enables going around obstacles; most boom lift bases can be rotated 360 degrees.
Scissor Lifts: Only able to move vertically; they need to have direct access to the site of work.
4.3. Platform Capacity and Stability
Boom Lifts: Have smaller platforms, usually accommodating one worker and limited materials. They have a lower weight capacity. Boom lifts can carry up to 500 pounds.
Scissor Lifts: Have larger platforms, able to carry multiple workers and heavier loads, offering greater stability due to their design. Scissor lifts have platform capacities ranging from 500 to 3,500 lbs.
4.4. Applications in Mining Operations
Boom Lifts: They are used for jobs that need to go over or around obstacles, such as high ceiling work, installations, and maintenance in complicated environments. They are also used for jobs that require horizontal and vertical reach for areas difficult to access.
Scissor Lifts: They are preferred for jobs requiring direct vertical access, such as maintenance on walls, electrical work, and moving materials, besides situations needing a large, stable platform.
4.5. Cost and Maintenance
Boom Lifts: Generally more expensive to hire or buy owing to their complex design that makes them versatile. They can also have higher maintenance costs because of their complicated range of motion.
Scissor Lifts: Less expensive and with less complicated maintenance needs. They are often preferred for budget-conscious projects.
5. Choosing the Right Equipment for Your Mining Needs
An underground boom truck and an underground scissor lift are two different choices, their major issue depending on several factors. When choosing between these, to be considered are the following questions, for instance:
Work Area Height: If you will need to reach very high areas, a boom lift is the better choice.
Obstacles: If you must move up and over or around objects, an articulating boom lift is needed.
Load Capacity: If one needs to lift more workers and heavy materials, then a scissor lift would be more suitable.
Budget: The budget is less when it comes to scissor lifts, which are a better option if there is a financial crunch.
Terrain: Rough-terrain scissor lifts or boom lifts should be chosen when the working ground is uneven.
Maneuverability: Whether the workspace requires more flexibility and horizontal movement, the requirement is a boom lift, but in cases where it requires only vertical access, then the scissor lift could be applied appropriately .
6. Zongda Mining Equipment: Your Partner in Underground Solutions
Regarding mining machinery, one name that is increasingly preferred due to its dependability and effectiveness is Zongda. Since Zongda set foot into this industry ten years ago, this company has risen to the stature of reliability that speaks for itself.
Whether your project requires a robust underground boom truck with exceptional reach and maneuverability or a stable underground scissor lift designed for heavy lifting and multiple workers, Zongda has the solution to optimize your mining operations. Zongda offers a wide range of mining equipment, including but not limited to, underground mining trucks, underground mining locomotives, and underground ventilation systems.
