Built on GH1600 Plow System, the Cat GH800 plow has an installed power of 2 x 400kW, and is tailored to cutting heights from a maximum 1.55m to as low as 0.75m.
Caterpillar’s longwall team and Ibbenbüren mine in Germany have worked together to design and construct the system, which is capable of mining an anthracite seam averaging 0.85m.
The GH800B Plow is currently deployed at the Ibbenbüren mine where the seam does not exceed 1m in height. It is set to be operated in five consecutive longwall panels at the mine.
Caterpillar said: "The Cat GH800B enables an effective horizon control system, which provides the ability to follow the seam line without cutting adjacent rock."
The GH800B’s armored face conveyor modifications include PF4 plow line pans with a replaceable top trough, and a plow guide made of a one-piece casting.
The company stated that the system is designed in such a way that it can load more coal onto the face conveyor, and reduce the amount of power required for cutting.
Image: The Cat GH800B longwall plow system is designed for very low coal seams. Photo: courtesy of Caterpillar.
