Draglines have forever been the domain of the motor-generator set machines. Many will remember that the M-G set technology was introduced right after the steam engine for mining excavators in 1927.
So you may think it is not the most efficient and productive technology around – and you are right!
Today, practically all other industries have changed to static drives and are reaping the rewards. Only mining has held out at the last M-G set bastion.
In the meantime smaller draglines, like the Bucyrus 680W, have been introduced as all AC static machines. Two huge Bucyrus 2570WSs use fourteen 800 HP motors to swing the colossus around.
We think the world is ready for an all AC large dragline today. Powerful traction inverters and Active Front End technology are available to minimize or eliminate voltage fluctuation and total harmonic distortion for a machine of 2570WS proportions.
If you are interested we will gladly work with you to design the most efficient, and productive dragline solution ever.