Load-Haul-Dump Vehicle LHD

a machine that combines the operations of loading and hauling useful minerals or rock to an unloading point. LHD’s are used in underground mines during excavation and haulage of ore from the working face, in the construction of underground structures, and in surface mining and construction earthworks.

A distinction is made between LHD’s proper, with front-mounted buckets, and transloaders, which have bins. Transloaders have a bucket mechanism, an undercarriage, a bin, drive engines, transmission mechanisms, and control elements. LHD’s transport rock to its destination in the raised bucket, but they can also unload it into dump trucks. Most LHD’s have heavy-duty pneumatic tires for the difficult conditions of underground work. They are equipped with pneumatic, electric or diesel drive and gas-purifying apparatus.

As of 1974, five LHD models had been developed in the USSR. The units have capacities of 2, 3, 5, 8, and 12 tons (bucket capacities of 1–6 cu m). There were also five transloader models, with capacities of 2.5, 4, 6, 10, and 16 tons (bin capacities of 2–6 cu m).

Foreign producers of LHD’s (as of 1974) include the Wagner Mining Equipment Company (USA), which produces ten ST models with bucket capacities of 0.76–6.12 cu m; GHH Sterkrade (Federal Republic of Germany), which produces 14 G-ST models with bucket capacities of 0.76–8.5 cu m; and Eimco (USA), which produces five models. Foreign producers of transloaders include Atlas Copeo (Sweden), which produces six models, and the Joy Manufacturing Company (USA), which produces three models with bin capacities of 0.75–5 cu m.

Self-contained drives and remote control are being introduced on LHD’s and the assemblies are being standardized to the greatest degree possible.