Convergence Training has released its next generation of Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) compliance training courses based on the MSHA Part 46 regulations for training and retraining of surface miners and mining contractors. The new computer-animated courses are designed to supplement a broader range of Part 46 surface mining and Part 48 underground mining compliance programs and can be used individually or purchased as bundled sets configured to meet core requirements for new miner and annual refresher training. The course catalog will be available in both eLearning and DVD formats.
Caterpillar Inc. says it will pursue strategic alternatives for its room and pillar products, including continuous miners, feeder breakers, coal haulage systems, highwall miners, roof bolters, utility vehicles, and diesel vehicles used in underground soft rock mining, and will also discontinue production of track drills within its Resource Industries portfolio. However, the company says it is committed to existing customers and will support those room and pillar and track drill fleets currently in operation.
At the same time, Cat plans to reduce its workforce by up to 155 employees at its facility in Houston, Pa., where the room and pillar products are manufactured, or possibly close the plant. As a result of the track drill exit and other facility restructuring, approximately 40 positions will be eliminated in Denison, Texas, where track drills are produced. The company also announced that, later in 2016, it will repurpose its facility in Winston-Salem, N.C., transitioning it from a mining facility to a rail facility by transferring operations to its subsidiary, Progress Rail.
Takeuchi-US has appointed Michael Shebetka to the position of product and training manager where he will be in charge of product information and training for both dealers and field representatives and will perform the role of product trainer at Takeuchi’s national training events at its U.S. headquarters, as well as out in the field.
“Michael has a range of industry experience from both the distribution side and manufacturing side that will be of great benefit in his new role at Takeuchi,” says David Caldwell, national product manager, Takeuchi-US, in a press release. “We feel, with his previous experience at Takeuchi and his knowledge of our culture and product, he will be a great asset to both our company and our customers.”
Daimler Trucks North America announced that it has been selected to receive a $20 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the SuperTruck II program, a multimillion-dollar, multi-year program to increase the fuel economy of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles while decreasing carbon pollution. Daimler Trucks and its project partners exceeded program goals by designing a truck that demonstrated more than 115 percent improvement in overall freight efficiency over a 2009 baseline truck and achieved more than 50 percent engine brake thermal efficiency.
JCB Power Systems was recently honored for the innovation and sales success of the engine it built that powered the JCB Dieselmax car to a world diesel land speed record of 350.092 miles per hour on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Aug. 23, 2006. Ten years after the fact, HM Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire Mr. William Tucker presented the company with two Queen’s Awards — one for innovation and one for international trade. With the addition of these two, JCB has received 30 Queen’s Awards since the first one, which was received in 1969.
Sandvik announced that Tyler Rental Inc. will be its distributor for surface and rotary drill rigs, rock tools, load and haul, and mobile crushing and screening equipment throughout southeast Alaska. It will offer a comprehensive range of Sandvik equipment and will provide full aftermarket care, spare parts, and dedicated customer service.