Issue link: http://resourceworld.uberflip.com/i/685011
J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 1 6 www.resourceworld.com 53 MININGWORLD prinoTh's panThEr under carriage units tread lightly by Kathrine Moore In 2011, after three years of research, PRINOTh, part of the hTI Group of companies, rolled out the PANTHER track under carriage. PRINOTH, an interna- tional company, specializes in building off road, tracked vehicles and under carriages. The company says its PANTHER under carriages are specifically designed for explo- ration in harsh conditions. Most of us are familiar with heavy equipment and have seen machines lumbering slowly around on their tank-like, metal tracks. Conventional metal tracks are notoriously hard on the ground; they ride over, crush and displace anything in its path. PRINOTH's PANTHER has a much lighter foot. The PANTHER's unique design includes a wide rubber track which allows for higher travel speeds, longer travel suspen- sion; conventional steel undercarriages are not suitable to travel long distances at high speeds in difficult terrain. The rub- ber track design features a zigzag pattern which increases traction and side-hill grip. It has indicators that allow the operator to monitor gear. As well, the PANTHER's large wheel tandem undercarriage and elevated engine position allow for a greater fording depth (up to 55 inches) and "unparalleled off-road mobility". On the road, the PANTHER's rub- ber tracks are pavement friendly making it much easier to move from one site to another. For longer distances, the PANTHER fits on regular sized transpor- tation decks; it is the only vehicle in its category that can be shipped in a high cube container. The PANTHER's wide rubber tracks are much easier on the environment. "One of the unique aspects of this type of soundly engineered vehicle is the advantage of extremely low ground pressure. PRINOTH vehicles offer optimal contact with the ter- rain, yet only gently touch the ground," says the company. Its undercarriage enables superior sta- bility and minimal impact over soft ground and operators benefit from maximum gradeability in dry and wet conditions. The PANTHER can stop, work, and restart anywhere: incline, sand, swamp and mud. The PANTHER track allows drills to get to areas where conventional steel under- carriages could not go or places in which they would just get bogged down. Not only will the track improve access to drill targets, it won't take as long to get to them. PRINOTH has worked in conjunction with major drill manufacturers to develop a track to meet the mining industry's spe- cific needs. PRINOTH's says its engineers chose to achieve optimum customization when designing the PANTHER under carriage. "While redesigning the famous GO-TRACT platform to surpass all available models, they opted to make the PANTHER as ver- satile as possible, enabling it to practically and effortlessly adapt to your specific requirements." • Standardized truck-style chassis pro- vides easy implement installation and interfacing • Unique safety feature prevents transmis- sion engagement and brake release when an implement is in function • Large deck space allows better stability for your implement • Easily power your equipment through the vehicle's auxiliary pump drive (P.T.O.) The innovative PANTHER line offers five vehicles sizes with payloads from 12,000 lb up to 46,000 lb, and three under carriages with payloads of 17,000 lb up to 30,000 lb. n A Usinage Marcotte core drill mounted on one of PRINOTH's Panther under carriages. Photo courtesy of PRINOTH CANDO www.edo.ca