Komatsu Develops Articulating Boom Track Drills

Komatsu announced it is expanding its P&H product line to include articulating boom track drills. The first machine in the series, the 44XT, is in testing at the company’s Arizona Proving Grounds and will be released later this year, the company reported.
The 44XT is capable of drilling 4-in. to 8-in.-diameter holes using down-the hole (DTH) percussive hammers. It is for surface mines and quarries, and is designed for pre-split drilling applications. “It starts with a safety-focused ergonomic machine layout that sits on a robust core design,” Matt Collins, product director, drills, Komatsu Mining Corp, said. “We matched structural integrity with increased horsepower and compressor capacity, translating into higher torque and speeds for optimal drilling performance.”
Further reflecting the company’s development of a complete line of drills for surface mining applications, Komatsu’s 77 drill model, introduced at MINExpo 2016 and later renamed 77XR, was designed to accommodate the largest spectrum of rotary blast hole drilling from coal to hard rock applications. It offers a bit diameter range of 7 7/8 in. to 10 5/8 in. It enables single-pass angle drilling and features automatic mast positioning and auto leveling. Patented pipe handling liners aid collaring, the company reported. The optional mast access service platform facilitates inspection and maintenance. “The development of the XT series of DTH track drills complements our plans for the new XR series of rotary blast hole drills, led by the 77XR that also is in operation at the Arizona Proving Grounds,” Brian Fox, vice president, product management and technology, surface division, said. “These programs, combined with our accelerated effort on drill automation enabled by Komatsu’s experience and resources, demonstrate a strong commitment to building our drill portfolio.”
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