Improved Automatic Reclaim for Uneven Stockpiles

This investigation has involved the development and testing of an improved control technique for automatically controlled slewing bucketwheel reclaimers. The technique uses laser scanning immediately ahead of the bucketwheel's trajectory, permitting pre-emptive control of slew speed and for optimum timing of slew reversals.

Field testing of the technology on an operating automatically controlled reclaimer at Hay Point Coal Terminal suggests that very significant improvements should be possible, delivering increases in average reclaim rates of the order of 20 to 30%.