Figure 1. Longwall shearer with seal-powered roof support legs.
Chris Edge, Hallite Seals International, and Geoff McKenna, Komatsu Mining Corporation, discuss the importance of seals in mining roof supports.
S
eals play a critical role in the functioning of the hydraulic cylinders that power mining roof supports. Their use in modern mining equipment means that roof supports can shoulder loads approaching 1800 t. To put this into perspective, imagine the combined weight of more than four jumbo jets stacked on top of each other. Each seal’s profile, design, and choice of materials contribute to mine safety, efficiency, and productivity. When miners face complex operating requirements, the sealing components in the equipment used to do the work must be equal to the task. Hallite Seals International and Komatsu Mining Corporation embarked on a collaborative partnership almost 50 years ago that continues to impact the industry today. The partnership started when Hallite provided Komatsu with a uniquely
innovative solution for their hydraulic cylinder hardware. Both companies have grown internationally and developed detailed portfolios of solutions for the mining industry throughout the years, and the partnership has remained strong. It is a relationship fuelled by sealing product innovation and a mutual commitment to solid equipment performance and customer satisfaction.
Seal-powered legs This article will focus on powered longwall mining operations (Figure 1). Specifically, it will discuss the location of critical seals and bearings, their function, and how an industry-leading engineering team is collaborating to continuously improve these products. Four seal profiles characterise the products and materials
global mining review // October 2021
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