BROOKVILLE, Pa. – Brookville Equipment Corporation expanded its mining product portfolio in 2013, offering up custom haulage and transportation solutions for mining customers in the U.S. market and abroad, including the production of its largest underground mining locomotive since the company was founded in 1918.
Designed to be operated on a dedicated haulage loop in a copper mine, the 50-ton (45.4-tonne) underground mining locomotives feature a 335-horespower diesel engine, car brakes and remote control capabilities. The units will operate in tandem – with the lead locomotive remotely controlling the trailing unit on a dedicated radio frequency, allowing the two units to work together without conflict.
The combined size and power coupled with the remote communication system of the 50-ton mining locomotives will provide the means necessary to tame 1,100 tons (998 tonnes) of ore cars. A power gearing setup will prevent the locomotives, which operate on standard 56.5-inch (1435-mm) track gauge in Mexico, from exceeding 12 mph (19.3 km/h) – allowing for the highest adhesion and maximum tractive effort while in operation.
Also in 2013, BROOKVILLE collaborated with Costa Rica’s Grupo ICE to introduce a newly-designed 23.5-tonne (26-ton) battery locomotive ideal for operation in warm, moist environments. The locomotives feature an enclosed, air-conditioned cab, air brakes, a separate cooling package for the electronic drive system and 75-horsepower drive motors.
The locomotives will be utilized for the construction and operation of the Cachi Dam expansion, which will provide additional capacity to Costa Rica’s Cachi hydroelectric power plant. The Cachi power plant is responsible for providing power to 330,000 Costa Rican citizens and marks a continued partnership between Grupo ICE and BROOKVILLE that began in 1976.
BROOKVILLE’s reputation as a perennial supplier of equipment for underground mining haulage applications also led to the company’s growth in above-ground applications in 2013, with the production of two 20-ton (18-tonne) diesel yard locomotives for two separate U.S. underground mining customers. The units feature a 170-horsepower engine and feature optional remote control functionality – eliminating the need for a spotter and second worker for common daily tasks such as car coupling.
“In addition to supporting customers with the delivery of low-height locomotives, personnel carriers and specialty vehicles, BROOKVILLE was fortunate to be able expand its custom portfolio to meet the needs of global customers with unique vehicles for custom mining applications,” said Michael White, marketing manager and mining/tunneling sales specialist. “In 2014, we look forward to continuing to allow our customers’ needs to drive our innovations as we evolve our products across the board to meet any and all industry needs.”
ABOUT BROOKVILLE EQUIPMENT CORPORATION – MINING DIVISION
Headquartered in Brookville, Pa., in the scenic foothills of the Allegheny forests, Brookville Equipment Corporation is a world class American manufacturer of innovative powered transportation solutions for the mining/tunneling, rail freight and passenger transportation industries. Since introducing its first custom-manufactured low-height locomotives in 1981, BROOKVILLE’s product line has continued to evolve to improve safety and efficiency in the mining industry. Currently, the company engineers, designs and manufactures battery or diesel-powered, rail-mounted low-height and high-height locomotives, personnel carriers, and support vehicles, as well as rubber-tired 4-wheel steer and articulated equipment.