Steering System Survey for Surface Mining Equipment

摘要

The expansion of mine production has required the development of larger and more productive loaders, scrapers, haulage trucks, and similar equipment. These machines have required the development and production of more powerful and complex steering systems. Careful analysis of these systems was warranted to determine if steering-related safety problems have been introduced. The objectives of this program were to define the specific types of steering systems now in use in wheeled surface mining equipment, gather information on the mining accidents resulting from malfunctions of equipment steering systems, estimate the relative numbers and sizes of mobile mining equipment in use, and to evaluate the need for new research projects or additional health and safety regulations. A comprehensive literature survey was conducted concurrent with extensive contacts with mining operations, mining equipment manufacturers, steering system component manufacturers, and government agencies. It was concluded that the steering systems in use on surface mining equipment are reliable and do not present a safety problem.