Methods for Assessing Dynamic Performance of Shovels

Equipment specifications tend to quote highest achievable performance; but this specification does not tell the whole story of machine behaviour. In the case of shovels, many criteria are used for selecting new equipment, generally related to capital and operating cost, capacity, digging forces, reach, loading rate, and propel rate. Some are competing objectives, such as high loading capacity and low energy consumption. In some circumstances, special criteria become important, such as low ground bearing pressure and operating temperature range. Access to spare parts and after-sales service may also be a consideration if the machine is intended for primary production and must have high availability. Energy consumption and emissions are increasingly important in some jurisdictions. This paper describes a simple framework for assessing di erent shovel designs, including dynamic performance and emissions. Examples are given for face shovels for surface mining excavation.