The Caterpillar 5230B
Cat introduce second-generation hydraulic shovel and mass excavator
Built for high productivity and reliable performance in mining operations, the new Caterpillar 5230B hydraulic shovel and 5230B mass excavator — the largest machines in the Cat excavator range — offer a 5% increase in engine power and a 10% increase in hydraulic flow, compared to the earlier 5230 models which the B-series machines replace.
Building on extensive field experience and operational success with the 5230, which was introduced in 1994, Caterpillar engineers have refined various structures and systems and boosted the weight of the new machines by 13 tonnes to around 330 tonnes, thereby extending both durability and reliability.
Designed to load Cat 785C dumptrucks and other 135–155-tonne capacity haulers in five passes, the 5230B is offered in two different configurations to best match the machine to the application. The front-shovel version is designed to handle a 17m3 bucket when loading rock, while the mass excavator or backhoe unit is designed for use with a 16m3 rock bucket.
Featuring high breakout and crowd forces for fast cycles and full bucket loads, the 5230B’s bucket designs and linkage geometry provide high bucket fill factors. Both configurations are fitted with proven Caterpillar components, including the Cat 3516B engine with electronic unit injection (EUI) and Cat Proportional Priority Pressure Compensating (PPPC) hydraulics. The 5230B also incorporates an advanced monitoring and reporting system, the Caterpillar Vital Information Management System (VIMS), which gathers and reports machine data to aid maintenance technicians and managers.
With its technologically advanced hydraulics, the 5230B is designed to respond smoothly and predictably to operator actions, with the on-demand hydraulics increasing machine efficiency by providing high digging force and quick lift and swing performance. High levels of force are applied at the bucket cutting edge for good material penetration and greater bucket fill factors — the front-shovel configuration having a breakout force of 1,162kN and a crowd force of 1,145kN, while the mass excavator arrangement has a bucket breakout force of 855kN and a stick force of 885kN.
The electronically controlled hydraulic pumps and PPPC valves prioritize flow based on the operator’s joystick inputs. Automatic flow proportioning divides flow to each machine function according to demand and the valves deliver only as much flow as the operator requires, so there is no unnecessary fluid circulation in the closed-center system, which saves fuel and reduces heat generation.
The hydraulic system also features a separate, variable-capacity, temperature-sensing cooling system which provides maximum efficiency by drawing power only when needed.
The 5230B is powered by a single 69-litre Cat 3516B EUI diesel engine which produces 1,232kW at 1,800 rev/min. An electronic engine-control system senses engine conditions and operator requirements and adjusts the engine for the most efficient operation. By communicating with the hydraulics system, the engine matches hydraulic output to engine power, thereby eliminating the need to maintain a reserve of engine power which wastes fuel and increases wear.
In addition, advanced engine-management software monitors, controls and protects the engine using self-diagnostic electronic sensors. This system senses operating conditions and power requirements and adjusts the engine to match the need.
Both the main structure and front structure of the 5230B use weld-free castings in high-stress areas for strength and durability, while the cylinder mount castings are designed to exceed the life of the rest of the front structure and allow placement of the cylinders for optimum performance.
For extended durability, other front structure components are thermally stress-relieved to eliminate stresses created during welding. Many of the structures, such as sticks, booms, the carbody and the roller frame, use box-section construction to provide high strength with less weight. The carbody uses single-piece steel plates on the top and bottom for added strength and fewer weld joints, and the triple-roller swing bearing is mounted to a machined surface on the carbody to eliminate collar welds.
The swing frame itself uses robust I-beam rails to resist bending loads, while a single large casting forms the boom foot and transitions loads from the boom to the swing frame.
The undercarriage is a Caterpillar design suitable for use in extreme mining conditions, providing high levels of machine stability. The track-on-ground measurement is 6,260mm and the track gauge is 5,196mm. Three different track shoe options allow the machine to be matched to specific applications, while automatic hydraulic track tensioning maintains the correct tension for maximum track life.
The VIMS system provides machine health information in real time to help maintain peak performance and productivity. Sensors located throughout the machine allow VIMS to monitor all systems, thereby simplifying troubleshooting, reducing downtime and lowering operating costs by identifying and correcting any problems before they have a chance to cause extensive damage. The VIMS software also generates reports that contribute to improved maintenance scheduling, thus maximizing component life and lowering costs.
Finning (UK) Ltd, Watling Street, Cannock, Staffs WS11 3LL; tel: (01543) 461461; fax: (01543) 461700; email: mailbox@finning.co.uk; website: www.finning.co.uk
Built for high productivity and reliable performance in mining operations, the new Caterpillar 5230B hydraulic shovel and 5230B mass excavator — the largest machines in the Cat excavator range — offer a 5% increase in engine power and a 10% increase in hydraulic flow, compared to the earlier 5230 models which the B-series machines replace.
Building on extensive field experience and operational success with the 5230, which was introduced in 1994, Caterpillar engineers have refined various structures and systems and boosted the weight of the new machines by 13 tonnes to around 330 tonnes, thereby extending both durability and reliability.
Designed to load Cat 785C dumptrucks and other 135–155-tonne capacity haulers in five passes, the 5230B is offered in two different configurations to best match the machine to the application. The front-shovel version is designed to handle a 17m3 bucket when loading rock, while the mass excavator or backhoe unit is designed for use with a 16m3 rock bucket.
Featuring high breakout and crowd forces for fast cycles and full bucket loads, the 5230B’s bucket designs and linkage geometry provide high bucket fill factors. Both configurations are fitted with proven Caterpillar components, including the Cat 3516B engine with electronic unit injection (EUI) and Cat Proportional Priority Pressure Compensating (PPPC) hydraulics. The 5230B also incorporates an advanced monitoring and reporting system, the Caterpillar Vital Information Management System (VIMS), which gathers and reports machine data to aid maintenance technicians and managers.
With its technologically advanced hydraulics, the 5230B is designed to respond smoothly and predictably to operator actions, with the on-demand hydraulics increasing machine efficiency by providing high digging force and quick lift and swing performance. High levels of force are applied at the bucket cutting edge for good material penetration and greater bucket fill factors — the front-shovel configuration having a breakout force of 1,162kN and a crowd force of 1,145kN, while the mass excavator arrangement has a bucket breakout force of 855kN and a stick force of 885kN.
The electronically controlled hydraulic pumps and PPPC valves prioritize flow based on the operator’s joystick inputs. Automatic flow proportioning divides flow to each machine function according to demand and the valves deliver only as much flow as the operator requires, so there is no unnecessary fluid circulation in the closed-center system, which saves fuel and reduces heat generation.
The hydraulic system also features a separate, variable-capacity, temperature-sensing cooling system which provides maximum efficiency by drawing power only when needed.
The 5230B is powered by a single 69-litre Cat 3516B EUI diesel engine which produces 1,232kW at 1,800 rev/min. An electronic engine-control system senses engine conditions and operator requirements and adjusts the engine for the most efficient operation. By communicating with the hydraulics system, the engine matches hydraulic output to engine power, thereby eliminating the need to maintain a reserve of engine power which wastes fuel and increases wear.
In addition, advanced engine-management software monitors, controls and protects the engine using self-diagnostic electronic sensors. This system senses operating conditions and power requirements and adjusts the engine to match the need.
Both the main structure and front structure of the 5230B use weld-free castings in high-stress areas for strength and durability, while the cylinder mount castings are designed to exceed the life of the rest of the front structure and allow placement of the cylinders for optimum performance.
For extended durability, other front structure components are thermally stress-relieved to eliminate stresses created during welding. Many of the structures, such as sticks, booms, the carbody and the roller frame, use box-section construction to provide high strength with less weight. The carbody uses single-piece steel plates on the top and bottom for added strength and fewer weld joints, and the triple-roller swing bearing is mounted to a machined surface on the carbody to eliminate collar welds.
The swing frame itself uses robust I-beam rails to resist bending loads, while a single large casting forms the boom foot and transitions loads from the boom to the swing frame.
The undercarriage is a Caterpillar design suitable for use in extreme mining conditions, providing high levels of machine stability. The track-on-ground measurement is 6,260mm and the track gauge is 5,196mm. Three different track shoe options allow the machine to be matched to specific applications, while automatic hydraulic track tensioning maintains the correct tension for maximum track life.
The VIMS system provides machine health information in real time to help maintain peak performance and productivity. Sensors located throughout the machine allow VIMS to monitor all systems, thereby simplifying troubleshooting, reducing downtime and lowering operating costs by identifying and correcting any problems before they have a chance to cause extensive damage. The VIMS software also generates reports that contribute to improved maintenance scheduling, thus maximizing component life and lowering costs.
Finning (UK) Ltd, Watling Street, Cannock, Staffs WS11 3LL; tel: (01543) 461461; fax: (01543) 461700; email: mailbox@finning.co.uk; website: www.finning.co.uk