Dragline Stability and Centre of Gravity

A significant part of our service offerings is machine stability assessments for mobile, semi-mobile and rail mounted machines such as draglines, shovels, stackers/reclaimers and shiploaders.

Earlier in the year, Ascribe Engineering provided expert assistance to an international coal producer where one of their draglines had a forward tipping incident in which the ground support under the tub failed.

In the wake of this incident, Ascribe Engineering was commissioned to investigate the possible imbalance of the machine and what can be done to rectify the situation.

Date: 2019
Client: Undisclosed
Project Type: Draglines

About this Project

Ascribe Engineering has specialist engineering knowledge on machine weighing, centre of gravity assessment and ballasting. The particular dragline in question suffered a forward tipping incident. Ascribe Engineering was commissioned to provide assistance in verifying the machine balance condition, dragline pad operating parameters and the requirement for re-ballasting.

Ascribe Engineering installed multiple gauges within the machine to determine the centre of gravity position. The centre of gravity of the revolving frame was measured, along with the total mass of the rotating portion.

In this instance, the machine was found to be forward heavy than typically expected. Additional ballast was added and operating guidelines for dragline bench preparation were reviewed.

Services included:

Measurement of actual centre of gravity position
Engineering advice with regards to propelling on inclined slopes
Engineering advice regarding ballasting

Ground preparation and dragline stability are tightly coupled parameters that need to be considered as part of the mining plan. Often, centre of gravity effects may not be evident until failure occurs.

Some indications of improper machine balance may manifest themselves as tub hook shoes touching the rail during digging, roller circle opening up during propelling or difficulty in the machine walking and subsidence of the dragline pad.

Ascribe Engineering can provide expert advice in relation to machine mass and centre of gravity including: