A number of the record-breaking mines in Queensland and New South Wales use Baldor’s drives to haul coal on their underground and above-ground conveyors over distances of up to 8 kilometres.

Throughout the world there are more than 2500 CSTs in operation, with more than half installed in China.

The CST is a 2-in-1 drive combining a planetary speed reducer with an integral hydro-viscous clutch that provides efficient transmission of motor power and torque with consistent smooth acceleration and deceleration, regardless of varying loads on the conveyor or ambient conditions.

Multiple-drive arrangements are very common, and the shock-absorbing nature of the clutch technology makes synchronisation easier to implement and maintain than alternative drive technologies, the company said.

Baldor said that with correct maintenance, CST clutch life can achieve more than seven to 10 years between overhaul, and gear life can exceed 25 years.

Since taking control of the Dodge CST product, Baldor has invested in key geographical areas, including the appointment of Bill Laing as CST service support manager based in Mackay, Queensland.

“Bill is well respected and highly experienced in conveyor technologies and provides customer training, scheduled maintenance services and planned overhaul contracts to ensure that customers’ CSTs continue to deliver record production yields,” the company said.