Since Bauma 2019, Japan’s Furukawa Rock Drill Co Ltd, represented by Utrecht, Netherlands -based FRD Europe BV, has been rolling out new technology to the European mining and quarrying market, with a new down the hole model launched in Europe in 2019 followed by two new top hammer models in 2020.

The new DTH drill is the DCR22 which replaces DCR20 for the European and other markets where Stage IV or higher engines are required; sales to date include to Poland and other mining markets. The DCR20 is still available for Stage III/Tier 3 engine markets and in addition, the DCR22 is also available with a Tier 3 engine if desired. There are a number of differences between the old and new beyond the obvious change to Stage IV from Stage III engine. The new drill is fully CANbus controlled, with a l onger and larger capacity drill tube magazine.

The n ew undercarriage is more suitable to mining applications, with higher traction force. There is also an improved rotary head, including higher torque and simplified design, There is a h igher clamping force on the breakout table, an i ncreased capacity dust collector and a h igh efficiency compressor delivering higher air flow at lower engine speeds. There are also several fuel saving features resulting in around a 20% fuel saving over its predecessor. Finally the drill is m ore operator friendly with a redesigned cab interior, including a new integrated display for machine condition monitoring, fault finding and parameter adjustment.

Moving on to the two top hammer models, first up is the HCR1550-EDII which replaces the HCR1450-ED for European and other markets where Stage IV or higher engines are required. This is now working in a number of sites including quarries in Austria and Germany amongst others. Again beyond the Stage IV engine there are upgrades – a new single action rod changer to simplify rod changes; a n ew 26 kW drifter with higher impact energy and a l onger and larger drill rod diameter capacity for straighter holes as well as a new display with all previous information from several displays integrated into one.

Last up is the HCR1800-EDII which replaces the HCR1600-ED for European and other markets where Stage IV or higher engines are required. Deliveries so far include a customer in Germany. It also has a n ew single action rod changer to simplify rod changes plus a n ew 36 kW drifter with higher power and impact energy but it is also available with 28 kW drifter. Again is has a l onger and larger drill rod diameter capacity for straighter holes and a n ew integrated display.

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