TRUCK: Caterpillar AD22 ideal for narrow vein mining

[caption id="attachment_1003723041" align="aligncenter" width="493"] The new Cat AD22 truck is ideal for narrow vein underground mining.[/caption] PEORIA, Ill. – Caterpillar recently introduced the new Cat AD22 articulated truck, a new size that joins a proven lineup of rugged machines designed for underground hard rock mining. While this newest addition to Cat’s underground truck product line is the smallest truck offered, it’s designed to deliver the performance and durability of its larger counterparts — and a greater payload than our competitors’ trucks in the same size class. Developed in response to the trend of mines going deeper underground to access narrower, more targeted orebodies, the AD22 is a robust, dependable truck capable of maneuvering in smaller mines. The AD22 offers a 22-tonne payload in a compact package. Its small operating envelope and agile characteristics, including an acute articulation angle and decreased outside turning radius, enhance productivity in these specific applications. And its wide body design makes loading faster and easier. The AD22 takes advantage of Caterpillar ergonomic designs to create controls and instrumentation that help operators perform efficiently. An easy-to-read full color LCD screen displays machine status. The truck is available with an open operator compartment or an optional enclosed cab. The enclosed cab was specifically designed to help deep-mine operators keep their employees cool and breathing filtered, conditioned air. On the other end of the temperature spectrum, the AD22 can be equipped to handle Arctic conditions. Both cab options are ROPS/FOPS certified. An oscillating hitch helps absorb haul road irregularities. Visibility is enhanced thanks to the sweeping deck design, which provides good sight lines around the front of the truck. In addition, the LCD screen shows the rear view camera view when backing. An operator present system automatically engages the parking brake and shuts down the engine if the operator fails to apply the brake prior to exiting the cab. Like its larger counterparts, the AD22 makes the best use of proven Cat components, like the Tier 3 equivalent C11 ACERT diesel engine. The durable engine delivers gross power of 242 kW, and when combined with the Cat transmission, efficiently delivers superior speed on grade. The truck shares major components with a number of Cat machines to help miners reduce their inventory costs and ensure good parts availability. Multiple dump body sizes are available to optimize the truck for every application and help mines achieve the greatest payload based on material density. Dump bodies come in 9, 10, 11 and 12 cu. meter sizes. An ejector body is also offered. The AD22 offers a three-pass match to the Cat R1300G underground mining loader or a two-pass match to the R1600H. Click here to get an up close look at the new AD22 truck.