Mining for better seating

The mining site is a particularly challenging environment for vehicles, which combined with the intense work schedule of most mining operations, leads to a serious need for comfort and convenience for equipment operators.

By necessity, larger mines make use of a fleet of huge trucks to haul heavy loads from the mine. The machines can carry loads of 240 to 380 ton (220 to 345 t) on haul roads with 8 to 10% grades in rough and dusty environments, “except when it rains,” said Jeff Mountford, former Mining Technical Communicator with Empire Central Shops in Arizona. “Then the roads become slippery and mushy to drive on.”

To address the need for more comfort and convenience for operators working in mining environments, Caterpillar and IMMI worked together to develop a new integrated lap and shoulder belt system for Cat's Comfort Seat used in off-highway-truck applications.