Lovat is planning to introduce 19” diameter discs following its recent introduction of 17” cutters to the market, and is gaining further active support from its new owner, Caterpillar.
Caterpillar is also making its proprietary steel available for the manufacturers cutters to improve wear performance. In addition, it has made use of its muscle by negotiating a price reduction and secured deliveries of Timken bearings for Lovat’s TBMs.
Lovat said the 19” discs are under development, and its R&D efforts are able to draw upon the resources of Caterpillar’s Technology Centre. The expanded disc offering follows the introduction almost two years ago of 15” and 15.5” cutters.
The 17” discs will be used on machines in Russia and Spain. They will be fitted to the 4.24m diameter hard rock TBM bought by local contractor Bamtonnelstroy for the Krolsky Water Drainage Tunnel project. In Spain, the Terrassa rail project is to be excavated by Lovat EPBMs will also see use of the larger discs.
The parent group’s leverage was first shown recently when Caterpillar began to offer financing for Lovat’s TBMs. The City of Edmonton, in Canada, paved the way with take-up of the new offer (T&TI, October, p7).
