Howdy Cecil,
This 2350, the largest rubber tire loader made, is in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming. There are several in the coal mines around Gillette. They usually use an overhead crane to install the chains. When they are scooping up a bucketfull, and the tires spin, it really tears them up. The tires are rather large and expensive to replace, so they use the chains, year-round. There was a rubber shortage last year, making a long wait for new tires, not only on these loaders, but all the larger haul trucks. I think the shortage is over, for now.
When we put together model 1800 loaders, which are not much smaller, the tires with rims each weighed 10,000 lbs. Each wheel motor weighed 10,000 lbs. The bucket weighed 50,000 lbs. and the lift arms weighed a little less.
Comments
This 2350, the largest rubber tire loader made, is in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming. There are several in the coal mines around Gillette. They usually use an overhead crane to install the chains. When they are scooping up a bucketfull, and the tires spin, it really tears them up. The tires are rather large and expensive to replace, so they use the chains, year-round. There was a rubber shortage last year, making a long wait for new tires, not only on these loaders, but all the larger haul trucks. I think the shortage is over, for now.
When we put together model 1800 loaders, which are not much smaller, the tires with rims each weighed 10,000 lbs. Each wheel motor weighed 10,000 lbs. The bucket weighed 50,000 lbs. and the lift arms weighed a little less.
Thanks for the interest,
Tom