Modernization and unification of the excavating devices of bucket wheel excavators SRs 2000 deployed in Serbian open pit mines

Abstract

A bucket wheel with drive represents a vital subsystem of any bucket wheel excavator. A multidecadal experience in the exploitation and maintenance of bucket wheel excavators SRs 2000 has imposed a need for modernization and unification of the excavating devices of four of such machines, used for the excavation of overburden in Serbian open pit mines. This paper presents a portion of the research dedicated to the problems of strength and dynamic properties of the bucket wheel boom, static stability of the superstructure as well as installation of the unified design solution for the bucket wheel drive of the bucket wheel excavator SRs 2000. By installing a modernized design solution of the bucket wheel with drive, i.e. by the means of partial revitalization of the bucket wheel excavator, its exploitational life span is prolonged and, additionally, the level of reliability and availability of the overburden systems is increased, and a significant reduction in maintenance expenses is achieved.