JCB touts its latest tracked excavator, designed for the 35- to 40-ton sector, as its “biggest and most powerful model yet.”

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JCB unveiled the 370X tracked excavator, the latest model in its X Series.

According to the company, the 370X is JCB’s biggest and most powerful tracked excavator model yet. The heavy-duty excavator will bring its productivity, durability and reliability to the 35- to 40-ton sector.

The 370X offers the ability to move 18 tons more material per gallon of fuel versus competitive models, JCB says. The excavator features a 322-hp Cummins diesel engine, as well as a new JCB UX user interface with a 10-in. color touchscreen display and controls.

Other 370X features include increased hydraulic pressures that boost performance in hard digging; extended service intervals for improved total cost of ownership; and an upgraded undercarriage and heavy counterweight for maximum stability.

“With the introduction of the 370X, JCB takes yet another step forward this year in our goal of providing a comprehensive range of heavy equipment solutions for the construction industry,” says Sam Wagstaff, products manager at JCB North America. “At this end of the excavator market, contractors know they need strong, powerful machines with the latest technology to get the big jobs done on time and on budget. The JCB 370X excels in these attributes while lowering total cost of ownership and providing operators with a cab that keeps them comfortable and productive over the course of long days and challenging applications.”

Excavator specs

The JCB 370X is powered by a 322-hp Cummins L9 diesel engine that is Tier 4 Final compliant. JCB says the engine delivers maximum power within a reduced operating rev range to increase fuel economy and reduce overall noise levels.

The 370X is supplied with a 21-ft. monoboom, with a choice of 8.6-ft., 10.6-ft. and 13.2-ft. arms. Heavy-duty arms have additional crush bars and reinforcement for strenuous applications, JCB says.

Additionally, JCB increased the bucket pin diameter, and the machine can be fitted with a new JCB dual-pin coupler to pick up 3.53-in. or 3.93-in. attachments. New 2.75-cu.-yd. XHD and 3.2-cu.-yd. XHD buckets are also available.

Related: JCB breaks ground at San Antonio factory

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Dodge Industrial, Motion, Regal Rexnord Corp. and SEW-Eurodrive are among companies with new power transmission components to explore.

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XMiner industrial gear units are designed for the demands of aggregate applications – including conveyor systems, crushers and apron feeders. Built on the X.e series platform, SEW-Eurodrive says XMiner units are available with local engineering, stocking and assembly in Wellford, South Carolina. As SEW-Eurodrive describes, the units provide several benefits to operators, including reduced weight and cost thanks to a high power density, a cooling system that eliminates the need for cooling alternatives, reduced inventory and spares, and local engineering and application support for proper sizing.

Motorized torque-arm enhancements elevate gear reducer performance

Dodge Industrial’s motorized torque-arms (MTA) are the only AGMA-rated direct-drive reducers, according to the company. Dodge’s MTA lineup is now larger and offers new capabilities. Larger 9, 10 and 12 reducers, for example, support up to 329,000 inch-pounds of torque. Additionally, assembly packages with reducers sized 7 to 12 and Atlas Adapter support large foot-mount motors 60 hp and above, reducing the need for spare motor inventory by allowing the use of standard foot-mount motors in sizes not commonly stocked in C-face styles. Dodge says C-face safety input adapters enable access to the coupling through a split cover to eliminate the need to remove the motor.

Monitor machine health digitally

Regal Rexnord Corp.’s next-generation Perceptiv intelligent reliability and maintenance solution is designed for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance in industrial manufacturing. This next evolution of the Perceptiv ecosystem offers customers a unified platform to meet growing reliability needs, the company says. Perceptiv intelligence uses in-field sensors and gateways to monitor machine health. Collected data can be sent to a customer’s on-premises system through industrial protocols, or to the Perceptiv web platform for online viewing. Through the web platform, Regal Rexnord reliability engineers can analyze data to provide customers with recommendations on how to extend equipment life and reduce unplanned downtime.

Solution for heavy radial and axial loads

skf spherical roller bearings, available from Motion, offer a high-load-carrying capacity and the ability to accommodate misalignment, helping to reduce maintenance costs and extend bearing service life. The product line is designed for applications such as vibrating screens, conveyors and gearboxes. Motion says SKF’s three-barrier solution – a sealed spherical roller bearing with three barriers to block contaminants – is a solution for harsh operating environments.

Related: Regal Rexnord showcases products, company performance at media event

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The University of Arizona, Penn State University and West Virginia University are among the grant recipients this year.

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Seven organizations were awarded grants through the Brookwood-Sago mine safety program, which the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) administers.

According to MSHA, the grant program allows recipients to create accessible, comprehensive training materials in multiple languages, promote and conduct mine safety training or educational programs, and evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts. The overall goal of the program is to support education and training initiatives that help to identify and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around the nation’s mines.

This year’s grant recipients are the University of Arizona ($134,999), Desert Research Institute ($128,233), Penn State University ($149,465), UMWA Career Centers ($74,810), Wayne State University ($201,276), West Virginia University ($173,543) and West Virginia University Research Corp. ($151,392).

“As the Biden-Harris administration moves full steam ahead to ensure the implementation of MSHA’s new respirable silica dust standard, the grants awarded today are a valuable tool to make training and resources available to better protect miners from the debilitating and deadly effects of silica dust exposure,” says Chris Williamson, assistant secretary at MSHA. “All miners deserve a safe and healthy work environment and the ability to retire with their dignity and enjoy the fruits of their labor.”

In awarding the grants, MSHA gave special emphasis to education and training programs that reach miners at smaller mines and underserved populations in the industry. Training and education supported by the grants align with the program’s mission, as well as MSHA priorities such mine rescue, better protecting miners from exposure to silica dust, and powered haulage safety.

The Brookwood-Sago grant program was established under the Mine Improvement & New Emergency Response Act of 2006 to honor the 25 miners who died in mine disasters at the Jim Walter Resources #5 mine in Brookwood, Alabama, and at the Sago Mine in Buckhannon, West Virginia.

“In remembrance of the 25 miners who lost their lives, the Brookwood-Sago grants have historically included awards for mine emergency preparedness and rescue, and this year we are proud to continue that important tradition by supporting those critical programs,” Williamson says. “This year’s grant recipients share our commitment to mine rescue and ensuring miners return home safe and healthy to their families and communities at the end of their shift.”

Related: Mining fatalities skyrocket in August, September

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The Mine Safety & Health Administration reports 13 fatal accidents happened across the two months.

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Mining fatalities were trending down through seven months of the year. But seven fatal incidents reported by the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) in August and another six in September more than doubled the total from the previous seven months combined.

Based on the fatality reports available on MSHA’s website, the mine fatalities total for 2024 is up to 24. The agency reported 29 fatal mining accidents in 2023.

About August and September

According to MSHA, eight of the 13 mining fatalities across August and September happened at metal/nonmetal sites. The other five occurred at coal mines.

MSHA attributed the 13 in August and September to a range of causes, with four of the incidents characterized as powered haulage accidents. Three of the 13 were attributed to “slip or fall of person,” with “fall of roof or back” as the source of another two.

MSHA classified the other four accidents as involving drowning, electrical, machinery and “fall of face, rib, side or highwall.”

By state, three of the 13 August-September fatalities took place in West Virginia. Two miners died across August and September in Pennsylvania. One miner each died over the last two months in Alabama, Colorado, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

On the year

The all-time-low mark for mining fatalities in a single year is 25. That was the total in 2016.

Until August, the industry was on pace to reset the all-time-low fatalities mark this year. August (7) and September (6) are now the deadliest 2024 months in mining, with May (4), July (2) and January (2) trailing behind.

Featured photo: kozmoat98/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

Related: Knowing your rights under the Federal Mine Safety & Health Act

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PPI's Jeff Ellis discusses the power consumption costs of the components that are seemingly everywhere in aggregate operations.

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In the hard rock world, producers must keep product moving. 

There are a plethora of systems, equipment and components that must be maintained and be operational to make this happen. One component that’s often at the center of discussion is bearings.

Bearings are present in nearly every piece of rotating equipment on-site, including crushers, gearboxes, trucks, pulleys and idlers. Several of these pieces of equipment use mounted bearings with special seal arrangements for regreasing, while others such as idlers may use sealed-for-life components. 

In the tough conditions these bearings are placed in, durability and contamination prevention are key. This contrasts with indoor applications using similar bearing products, which see no impact from the environment and minimal impact from other contaminants besides settling dust.

Seals in aggregate applications are intended to prevent ingress of foreign materials at all costs, which typically means increased drag on the rotating shaft. This can be a big deal for idlers on long, overland or slope-belt conveyors. But for in-plant conveyor idlers and nearly all pulleys, bearing seal drag is of little importance. 

Digging in

An analysis of even a relatively long conveyor shows the impact of idler drag is still only a piece of the puzzle, with most of the power consumption driven by the lifting force on an inclined conveyor as material is moved around the plant.

Idlers may add up to hundreds of bearings on a conveyor, but mounted bearings like the Type E may only be present on two pulley assemblies. Because of this, the starting force needed to turn the bearings rarely influences the conveyor design or power needs. Consider the following:

• Starting torque. Required to turn the bearing from rest.

• Rolling friction. Friction present during operation.

• Seal friction. Caused by the interference of seals between stationary and rotating components.

Often, bearings are judged by the resistance to turning in an “as manufactured” state. This is the least time-intensive way to sample turning torque, but it also paints an inaccurate picture of the influence a bearing has on the power demands of a conveyor. 

It is good practice to perform run-in tests of components to arrive at more accurate, operational values to be useful for power consumption calculations during the design phase of a project, or when troubleshooting in the field.

Starting torque can increase from a variety of factors, including high-grease volume, seal lubrication or seal alignment. After bearings are greased and begin to purge, the grease volume reaches its running volume, which can be less than 30 percent by volume. This not only reduces internal rolling element drag, but also the friction under the seal. 

It is common for a new bearing to have a much higher drag compared to the true operational conditions. While the drag could be nearly double that during operation, it is still minimal compared to the torque typically put into a pulley via the belt. The high wrap on even a snub pulley (typically 20 to 40 degrees) means the pulley can easily overcome bearing drag contributors. 

Other considerations

Consider, too, that grease and seals can impact idler bearing drag.

Industrial applications should always use some type of contact seal on their bearings, as these are wear components and, even when proper greasing intervals are used, dirt can quicky compromise labyrinth or clearance seals. 

Yes, the contact seal will increase the power requirements for any bearing, but the small change can usually be accounted for with the same motor size. Plus, the benefits far outweigh the risks for challenging applications.

Taking what we now know, let’s compare the overall pulley and idler conveyor drag contributions.

Pulley bearings can often have high-interference seals. These are made possible by the relatively low rotational speed of a pulley (often less than 150 rpms) compared to idlers (often greater than 500 rpms), as well as the low quantity of these bearings (four to 12 on a 200-ft. conveyor versus 200 or more idler rolls). 

Even though the larger pulley bearings may have five to 10 times the turning torque required of an idler roll, the pulley diameter and the low volume of bearings means the total drag force is very low.

For this reason, it’s clear that a well-greased and sealed bearing has minimal impact on power consumption.

Related: Determining types of bearing damage

Jeff Ellis is director of product engineering at PPI (Precision Pulley & Idler).

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For sites experiencing bottlenecks with fleet traffic at the truck scale, TruckPass is the solution. Keep traffic and

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For sites experiencing bottlenecks with fleet traffic at the truck scale, TruckPass is the solution. Keep traffic and revenue flowing with TruckPass: the first and only legal-for-trade weigh-in-motion system for full-length truck scales. When matched with an automated ID system, trucks will no longer need to stop on the scale to complete a time-consuming registration process, saving your operation time and money.

Call 1- 800-METTLER or visit TruckPass Weigh-in-Motion (mt.com) to learn more.

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Volvo Construction Equipment added the R60 and R70 rigid haulers to its lineup for aggregate operations.

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Volvo Construction Equipment added two new sizes to its hauler lineup for quarrying and light mining teams in North America.

The new models are the R60 (55-ton) and R70 (65-ton). Volvo CE says the rigid haulers feature low centers of gravity, balanced weight and tough-yet-flexible chassis. The R60 has a body volume of 47 cu. yd. while the R70 offers 55.6 cu. yd., making the two a match for the loading abilities of Volvo CE’s EC950 crawler excavator and the L350H wheel loader.

The R60 and R70 feature a V-shaped haul body for maximum load retention, Volvo CE says, and minimal carryback post-dumping. The dumping process itself is speedy thanks to a fast-tip system, the company adds.

Additionally, an optional onboard weighing system helps operators apply the 10/10/20 payload policy, where the machine can take 10 percent overload for 10 percent of the time but should not exceed 20 percent.

According to Volvo CE, the R60 and R70 are designed with a new adaptive retarder system that can automatically control the rear braking system when traveling downhill. For long downhauls, the haulers feature gear-dependent speed control and a selectable brake or transmission retarder, which helps to reduce operator fatigue.

The cabs on the R60 and R70 are fully ROPS/FOPS certified, and operators can enter from either side via anti-slip steps. The company says a large windscreen and a low-raked dashboard provide optimal visibility that’s supported by a left-positioned operator station and optional Volvo Smart View for 360-degree sightlines.

Related: New haul truck models join Komatsu lineup

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VDG’s GrizzlyDrive® Drum Motors are designed and manufactured to endure the demands of belt conveyors operating in mining

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VDG’s GrizzlyDrive® Drum Motors are designed and manufactured to endure the demands of belt conveyors operating in mining and aggregate industries. All drive components, including the electric motor, gear reducer, and bearings, are enclosed inside the drive drum and protected from harsh, dusty, and abrasive environments. The drive components are designed for 80,000 hours of continuous operation before maintenance, reducing operational and maintenance costs. The new premium-efficiency electric motor operates at low temperatures, increasing the reliability and service life of the GrizzlyDrive^®. Available in a range of diameters, belt speeds, horsepower, lagging, and options to suit various belt conveyor applications.

Find out more.

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Dodge Construction Network reports that commercial planning was down 7.8 percent in the month while institutional planning was up 5.2 percent.

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The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) decreased 4.2 percent in September to 208.6.

The momentum index, issued by Dodge Construction Network, is a monthly measure of the value of nonresidential building projects going into planning. Dodge says these have shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year.

Over the course of September, commercial planning contracted 7.8 percent while institutional planning improved 5.2 percent.

“Despite this month’s decline, the Dodge Momentum Index remains at very robust levels,” says Sarah Martin, associate director of forecasting at Dodge Construction Network. “A surge in data center activity drove much of the recent rapid growth in the DMI – so as planning for that sector moderated over the month, overall commercial planning fell back. By mid-2025, the Fed’s rate cuts should spur planning projects to reach groundbreaking more quickly – leading to stronger nonresidential activity as 2025 progresses.”

Commercial planning generally receded over the month, according to Dodge. After gaining some steam in recent months, warehouse, office and stores planning activity all slowed. Hotels, on the other hand, have been gaining speed over the past five months, expanding steadily in September.

Data centers continued to dominate large project activity, but the rate at which planning projects entered the queue continued to moderate from the above-average levels of growth in recent months, Dodge says.

On the institutional side, education, health care and recreational projects were the primary drivers of the past month’s expansion, with only religious planning posting a decline.

Dodge says the momentum index was 21 percent higher this September versus last September. The commercial segment was up 31 percent from year-ago levels, while the institutional segment was up 4 percent over the same period.

Specific projects

Twenty-eight projects valued at $100 million or more entered planning in September.

The largest commercial projects were the $390 million Project Nova Data Center in Eagan, Minnesota, and the first two phases of the SNA Data Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa – valued at $375 million per phase.

The largest institutional projects to enter planning were the $300 million Kairos Power R&D lab facility and the $215 million second phase of the Kentucky Exposition Center redevelopment in Louisville, Kentucky.

Related: Economists offer promising industry outlook for fourth quarter, 2025

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