In high-volume mining and bulk material handling operations, maintaining clean conveyor systems and processing areas is essential. However, traditional clean-up methods often require full production shutdowns, intensive manual labor, or expensive third-party services.
The Dugless 903® remote-controlled mini loader offers a game-changing solution to these persistent challenges.
Problem 1: Costly shutdowns for clean-ups
Cleaning under conveyor belts or in plant areas typically requires halting operations. Even brief shutdowns can cost thousands of dollars per hour, especially in high-output environments like iron ore processing.
With an ultra-low height of 560mm and 50mm ground clearance, the Dugless 903 can access hard-to-reach areas — including beneath live conveyor belts — without stopping operations. This allows clean-ups to be completed in hours instead of days, eliminating the need for costly downtime.
Problem 2: Unsafe manual labour conditions
Manual clean-up in mining environments exposes workers to confined, dusty, and hazardous conditions, including moving machinery and falling debris.
Fully remote-controlled from up to 50 meters away, the Dugless 903 keeps workers out of danger zones. A single operator can manage the clean-up using a simple two-joystick remote, significantly reducing injury risks and improving compliance with safety standards.
Problem 3: Limited access for traditional machinery
Conventional loaders and excavators are too large to access tight spaces under low-clearance conveyor systems or within narrow plant corridors, leaving valuable material unrecovered.
Measuring just 1050mm wide and 2255mm long, the Dugless 903 is compact and highly manoeuvrable. Its tight turning radius and 4-in-1 self-levelling bucket (0.13m³ capacity) allow it to operate in confined areas without damaging floors or structures.
Problem 4: Material loss and wasted resources
Spillage under belts isn’t just a mess — it’s lost product and revenue. Over time, this build-up can also damage equipment like return rollers and belts.
The Dugless 903 efficiently collects and relocates ore spillage, turning waste into profit. In one case, it recovered 50 tonnes of iron ore in just three days. In another, it reclaimed 100 tonnes under 200 meters of conveyor belt — all without halting production.
Problem 5: Equipment downtime from roller damage
Debris build-up under conveyors can cause rollers to seize and belts to misalign, leading to premature equipment failure and costly repairs.
By regularly clearing debris from critical areas, the Dugless 903 extends the life of conveyor components and prevents unscheduled maintenance. One site avoided imminent roller failure by deploying the Dugless to remove dense spillage before it caused damage.