Trapping shoes are used to attach the shearer to the haulage rack system which is joined to the armoured face conveyor, while the wear and replacement of this component equipment has long been an issue.

Bucyrus’ Trapping Shoe Ix (Insert Exchange) tackles service life and replacement hassles through using specially designed inserts.

The original equipment manufacturer said the patent-pending product consists of one base shoe, two shoe inserts and two sets of insert retainers.

“The new design cuts the weight that has to be handled during replacement from more than 500 kilograms to less than 50 kilograms for each insert,” Bucyrus said.

“It also dramatically reduces the time required for exchange of the two small shoe inserts instead of replacing the whole shoe.

“Because the weight handled is so much lower, change-out can take place anywhere along the face. Previously, this work had to be done at gate ends where heavy-lifting equipment was available.”

From trials underground at Crinum and “a top performing” longwall mine in northwestern Colorado, Bucyrus said the service life of the Ix shoes was 50% longer than conventional trapping shoes.

Bucyrus said the base shoe of the product was made of highly ductile material and designed for structural strength while the inserts were made from material with high abrasion resistance.

“The inserts have the same wear area as conventional shoes and are articulated, allowing them to move. This – combined with the fact that the shoe does not have to exert as much pressure, resulting in a lower point load – means less wear.”

The OEM said most Bucyrus shearers can be upgraded to use the new shoe but suitability needs to be established in each case.