Heavy-duty machines and services company Barloworld Equipment (BWE) Mining has extended its mining solutions offering with the introduction of the Caterpillar MD6200 rotary blasthole drill.

“The MD6200 is a production rotary blasthole drill capable of drilling vertically as well as out to 30° angle holes. It is the only platform drill produced by a major original equipment manufacturer that is capable of drilling at a negative angle, giving drillers the flexibility to use the machine for specialty projects such as ramp or access development, sink shots as well as limited pre-split drilling,” says BWE Product Manager for Caterpillar drills, Ramon Glaus.

He notes that mining has become increasingly challenging over the last decade, with historically low commodity prices leading to increased levels of complexity. 

“As such, mining houses have shifted their focus from increasing production at every cost, to finding ways to control the cost of extracting the minerals from the ground.  

It is against this background that Caterpillar and BWE have introduced the MD6200 rotary drill,” he explains.

The MD6200 drill has been designed with the customer in mind and was built to Caterpillar standards using existing legacy Caterpillar fundamentals.

Glaus states that the MD6200 drill was designed to operate at the most cost effective rate while also achieving exceptional safety and operator comfort.

The Cat MD6200 rotary blasthole drill delivers optimum drilling efficiency in single- and multi-pass applications for rotary and down-the-hole drilling.

Featuring optional automatic operation, the drill runs within ideal operating parameters for maximum bit life and reduced total cost of ownership. A sculpted design boasts heavy cross-bracing in high-load areas for maximum machine longevity, while the tubular box section provides optimum structural rigidity. The machine’s three levelling jacks, mast pivot and deck are all welded integrally to the main frame for maximum durability and long life. 

“The new MD6200 drill is application-built for efficient drilling of 10 m benches, including angle drilling for cast blasting, making it the ideal drill for mining, quarrying and heavy construction applications,” notes Glaus.

The machine design is based on delivering several benefits, including the best-in-class angle drilling capability from 30° to -15°, while mast angles complement highwall slopes and operators have mast control in 5° increments.

The MD6200 is Caterpillar’s smallest drill, and it has the smallest shipping envelope of any drill in its class. In addition, it can be transported by road with the mast on, so it can simply roll onto a truck when it is time to move to another site.

It also offers best-in-class manoeuvrability, with its compact working envelope allowing it to get it into position faster, reducing the time spent accessing drill patterns and moving between holes. Its oversized Cat 336 excavator-style undercarriage provides best-in-class tractive effort and drawbar pull, standing up to the toughest conditions on site.

The MD6200 is controlled through proven Cat electronics, sharing electronic architecture with other Cat machines, meaning that technicians will be familiar with it.

“With Cat Electronic Technician, troubleshooting is quick and easy. The MD6200’s electronics also provide a common platform for the integration of a number of future autonomy solutions,” says Glaus.

Integrated machine protection features and interlocks help keep operators safe, while also keeping the machine up and running and preventing potential failures or misuse.

“The MD6200 cab offers the comfort and control you expect from a Cat machine, with ergonomic controls that help the operator stay alert and avoid fatigue. Optional upgrades such as a heated and ventilated seat with heavy-duty suspension and dual-pane glass help operators stay comfortable throughout the shift,” Glaus says.

The multifunction joystick controls and touchscreens are easy and intuitive to use, and three standard cameras give the operator excellent visibility, he adds.

Furthermore, the MD6200’s engine is rated to meet the demands of the toughest applications, while the compressor offers variable volume air control and lower stand-by pressure for improved fuel consumption.

“The durable powertrain results in longer service intervals for higher availability,” notes Glaus.

The drill comes standard with Cat Technology, which offers machine health and performance monitoring to keep the machine running productively, while Drill Assist offers auto level, auto retract jacks, auto raise and lower mast, and auto drill features.

“Finally, an integrated drill depth meter helps reduce over- and under-drilling,” concludes Glaus.