The data communications system utilises a wireless transceiver, called Oracle, mounted on the Waracar to collect data from the hydraulic system, electric motors and traction drives. Data is transmitted by the wireless link to the continuous miner (or feeder breaker) and then via power line modem to the transformer before being sent to a surface PC via fibre or copper links.

Data collected includes motor voltage, current and temperature; hydraulic oil temperature, traction direction, motors on/off; motor run time; I/O’s status; and control system status.

By monitoring this, Waratah sales and marketing manager Terry Coggles said operations can look to improve cycle times by analysing the data and down time.

Mine management will be able to record the time a miner takes to fill a Waracar, the trip time to and from the feeder breaker, and the Waracar discharge time at the feeder breaker. Such information will allow management to “finetune” the operation and improve productivity.

The wireless data communications system is now available as an option on all future Waracars.

There are currently 25 Waracars in operation in Australia with sales this year to Wambo North (three cars), Walter Mining’s hire fleet (two cars), and three to be delivered over the next two months: two cars to Newcastle Coal’s Tasman project and one to the Wambo North operation. A further two will also be heading to Tasman in February next year.

The Waracar showed at QME is bound for Wambo North this month.

Waratah was also showing off its new cable reel on the Waracar at QME. The cable reel has a live capacity of 285m and the hub and spooler have been designed for efficient cable forming.