Cline Resources recently added more ”EZMP” dual drive systems to their inventory of Rulmeca Motorized Pulley conveyor drives.
After verifying the reliability of the compact dual drive at their West Virginia and Illinois mines, the coal producer decided to install the system at multiple mines.
The trial consisted of moving 1,200 tph of ROM coal at 600 fpm on a 48” wide conveyor belt with two 75 HP model 630H Rulmeca Motorized Pulleys, nested into a special frame by Kerco, Inc. of Madisonville, KY.
The EZMP drive system was tested on conveyors which extend from 800' to 1,200' long to accommodate the movement of the continuous miners. With a 24.8" diameter and a 55.12" face width, the model 630H Motorized Pulley has a narrow footprint. And each 75 HP drive only weighs 2,200 lbs.
The drive’s compactness and light weight are advantageous when moving belt conveyors in restricted spaces.
Todd Leverton, Maryan Mine superintendent, said, “I first heard about the Rulmeca Motorized Pulleys several years ago, but didn’t have a chance to try them until recently. I’m happy we’ve incorporated these drives into our mine because their reliability and low maintenance requirements will help us maintain our aggressive production rate. We have a great esprit de corps at the Maryan Mine. We produce 9 tons of 11,000 btu coal per man-hour with two continuous miners. We’re very proud of that.”
“We’ve been actively promoting Rulmeca Motorized Pulleys since the early 1990’s,” said Kerco’s president, Chuck Reed, “but it wasn’t until our company packaged Rulmeca Motorized Pulleys into our EZMP Dual Drive (patent pending) in 2008 that we began to see significant interest from coal producers.” With underground coal mines in three states now using the dual drive system, Rulmeca has invested in stock to decrease production lead time to serve US coal mines.
Developed in 1953 in Europe, Rulmeca Motorized Pulleys offer mines and prep plants an optimal alternative to exposed drive systems with diameters from 5.5” to 40", powers up to 330 HP, and belt speeds up to 1,320 fpm.
Since they enclose all drive components within an oil-filled and hermetically-sealed pulley shell, Rulmeca Motorized Pulleys increase system reliability, lower maintenance expense, improve personnel safety, save space, and reduce power consumption.