Sandvik DR461i is a diesel-powered, self-propelled, crawler-mounted blasthole drill that is automation-ready and features forward-thinking design and technology for bulk mining operations.
DR461i is designed to withstand the harshest conditions and equipped for rotary or down-the-hole (DTH) drilling. DR461i was developed from the preceding DR460 drill rig and includes upgrades that make the drill extremely reliable, easy to maintain and safe.
Sandvik Mining vice-president of rotary drilling Ken Stapylton said: "For decades, customers have counted on Sandvik to develop the most durable products on the markets, rigs that will be able to work a mine site for decades.
"In developing the DR461i, we’ve taken our customers’ feedback into our research and development efforts and are proud of the newest addition to our drilling equipment product line."
Safety is a top priority at Sandvik Mining and the DR461i includes several safety enhancements such as autonomous pipe-handling, above-the-deck bit change, additional walkways, hand railings and safety interlocks. The drill was designed to fully comply with the various safety standards worldwide, such as Mining Design Guidelines (MDG) for mobile and transportable equipment in mines, Earth Moving Equipment Safety Roundtable (EMESRT) Design Philosophies and CE conformity marking.
Additional highlighted features of the DR461i rig include:
- Ergonomically-designed cab. The Sandvik DR461i has a completely new cab designed to ensure the maximum comfort and ease of operation for the operator. The cab includes air-conditioning and sound insulation to 80db or less. It also offers unique ‘all in the seat’ drilling and tramming controls, as well as a roof designed as a canopy, which sits above the actual roof with a 4in air gap between them. Due to the air gap beneath it, the actual cab roof will heat up less, keeping the cabin at more comfortable temperatures
- Graphical user interface (GUI) system. The GUI system digitally displays the features of the DR461i while operating and tramming. Running off the CanBus system on the drill, it acts as an electronic depth counter and drill monitoring system in one, picking up information that sensors monitor in different parts of the machine such as the motor, compressor, rotary head, tracks, etc. It then represents this data through an interactive touchscreen that the operator can easily scroll through in order to keep track of the condition of the drill, how it is drilling, whether it needs maintenance, etc
- Hydraulic main access stairway. Developed to be a safer alternative to accessing the drill rig rather than using vertical hanging steps, the stairway enables the operator or maintenance personnel to bring tools up onto the drill with a reduced risk of falling. It is designed to be self-leveling depending on the topography of the ground around the drill and was also built to accommodate the different heights of the drill levels depending on the height of jack extension