Published: June 18, 2010 |

Propsetter™
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Cluster Prop™
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Lock-N-Load™
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In 1993 Strata Products (USA) Inc. introduced the first ever “engineered” timber roof support. This product offers yielding capabilities, allowing the prop to “give” under excess load, without failing. The Strata Products Propsetter™ Yieldable Support provides eight to ten inches of stable deformation without buckling and is now successfully used in mines across the U.S. and abroad.

The Propsetter offers support capacities to replace 4-point cribs using up to 72 Percent less timber. The cylindrical shape of the prop is easy to handle and quick to install. It can be installed by hand or mechanically and provides immediate support. As many as 150 props have been installed during a single work shift. The size of the Propsetter also helps to improve mine ventilation. 

In answer to the industry’s need for even greater support capacities, Strata Products engineered the Cluster Prop™, a set of three signature Propsetters bound together to create a high capacity and stable support prop with yielding capabilities up to 20 inches. This product rivals concrete supports by offering high support capacities with improved haulage, less handling of materials, better ventilation and minimal use of steel (used only on the binding rings).

Furthermore, as an alternative to bulky 9-point cribs, Strata designed the well-known and widely used Link-N-Lock™ roof support system. The Link-N-Lock consists of individual, lightweight timber blocks that interlock. This interlocking design not only provides a foolproof guide for installation, but also makes for superior support with full utilization of the timber, 100 percent contact between the layers provides increased strength and stability, allowing the Link-N-Lock to be constructed to heights much greater than conventional cribs.

Strata Products Lock-N-Load™ is an adjustable roof support product. Its unique versatility is credited to its quick and easy installation and 2 ft of adjustable height. There is no cutting or trimming required. Lock-N-Load can be easily installed by hand by one person, making it popular for temporary roof support and for formwork with stoppings, barricades, seals and ventilation curtains. In addition, Lock-N-Loads are often used in ventilation control as the support base for brattice cloth when diverting airflow.

In order to further enhance the functionality of their roof support products, they have designed and engineered products to provide preloading. The Strata Products Packsetter Bags are unique, pressurized bladder bags that can be filled with cement based grouts to create an upward load on the roof when placed above the prop. Strata Products Hydrocell is a welded sheet metal plate that, when filled with water, expands and applies an upward force.

Strata Products (USA) LLC continues to invest heavily in the research and development of products to produce the highest quality, most cost effective solutions for customers. Strata employs experienced miners and mining engineers who understand the conditions and operating environment of the local mines. These representatives can evaluate roof conditions and recommend a number of options from a wide range of products.

Read more about Strata’s Roof Support Products, CLICK HERE