The Cluster Prop is a high capacity timber support system consisting of several Propsetters bundled together, thus giving a strong stable support with a controlled deformation through 250mm.

Developed for the South African industry, the Cluster Prop is a high capacity yielding prop that comes in configurations of single, double, three or four timber props that come in 200mm or 250mm options, with 140 tonnes or 170t capacities, respectively.

“The basic idea is that they can easily be set by hand or by using mechanical means,” said Doug Adams, sales & technical manager for Strata Products in Australia. “The other advantage is because they take up a lot less room you can transport more onto the job. We estimate they can give up to 70% savings on transport productivity.”

The Cluster Prop has been trialed in several mines in the USA. In the west two mines have completed successful trials and a third has some installed ready to be tested as their face retreats. Strata Products Australia will be carrying out trials at several mines in Australia later this year.

“A lot of interest is being show in the Pennsylvanian district where Consol is carrying out some test and trials,” Adams said.

The props are cut to bulge out at the bottom and yield with up to 6 inches deformation. In the last six months the props were tested by US government testing body, NIOSH. Local tests done at Sydney University returned good results in terms of deformation and loading characteristics, Adams said.

Applications for the Cluster Prop include maingate, tailgate, bleeder heading support; intersection and cut through stabilisation, and longwall shield recovery.