Preface; Contents; Jerzy Czmochowski; Damian Pietrusiak; 1 Introduction; 2 Main Problems Related to the Operation and Maintenance of Mega Machines; 2.1 Introduction; 2.2 The Design of Surface Mining Machines; 2.2.1 Bucket-Wheel Excavators; 2.2.2 Bucket-Chain Excavators; 2.2.3 Spreaders; 2.3 Main Mechanical and Structural Subassemblies of Surface Mining Machines and the Problems that Occur During Their Operation; 2.4 Main Phenomena During the Operation of Surface Mining Machines; 2.5 Disadvantages of Traditional Methods of Dimensioning Surface Mining Machines; References

3 Methods of Condition Assessment3.1 Experimental Methods; 3.2 Analytical and Numerical Methods; 3.3 Preventive and Predictive Approaches in Condition Assessment; 3.4 Combined, Comprehensive Experimental and Numerical Condition Assessment Method; 3.4.1 Identification of Loads; 3.4.2 Identification of State of Stress; 3.4.3 Methodology of Fatigue Calculations; 3.5 Examples; 3.5.1 Tests on the SRs 2000 Excavator; 3.5.2 Tests on the SchRs 4000 Excavator; 3.5.3 Tests on the KWK1500 Excavator; References; 4 Failure Analysis; 4.1 Methods; 4.2 Examples; 4.2.1 KWK 1400 Excavator Collapse

4.2.2 Failure and Repair of the SRs 2000 Excavator Supports4.2.2.1 Repair Technology; 4.2.3 Fracture of a Half Axle of Crawler Track Set in the ZGOT-11500.100 Stacker; 4.3 Summary; References; 5 Modernization of Existing Machines; 5.1 Objectives of Modernizations-Increase in Lifetime of Machines and the Optimization of Operational Parameters; 5.2 Modernizations-Examples of Solutions; 5.2.1 Modernization of Buckets; 5.2.2 Load-Carrying Structure of the KWK jib; 5.2.3 Modeling and Modification of Modal Characteristics of the KWK 1500.1 Excavator; 5.2.4 Modernization of Portals

5.2.5 New Solutions Introduced to Surface Mining Machines5.3 Case Study; References; 6 Summary and Conclusions; References; Index