Going underground in a salt mine

We are delighted to report on a truly special project: an RT operating 1000 metres underground in a salt mine. The K+S Group Borth site can produce almost 3,000 ktonne per year, with products ranging from road de-icing salt to salt for pharmaceutical use.

They needed a multifunctional vehicle for crane, transport and cable installation operations. All these needs are met by an RT283 equipped with some very special options. The tractor can carry a ballast block with a crane fitted to it, for lifting operations and cable installation. It also has hydraulic and electric connections to operate a Movella U-loader. Finally it has couplings at the front and rear for heavy drawbar trailers. For this application it is fitted with a ballast block on the fifth wheel to ensure sufficient traction. The Ergoturn® 180° swivelling seat makes working in the mine tunnels safer and more efficient.

The tractor also features other options such as a special rear axle, emergency stop system, outriggers for crane operations, guide rails on the roof and automatic selection of the control programme based on the connected load. Because the mine hoist is limited to 10 tonnes the RT was partly disassembled on the surface by two TSF fitters, lowered down into the mine, and then reassembled and tested.

For this project Terberg worked closely with the Michels crane company and with Movella, the supplier of the U-loader. It underlines our slogan Where special comes as standard.