Call it a merger of strengths. A 2022 acquisition of the Cannon product line by J.H. Fletcher from Lakeshore/Trident left the OEM with a rich portfolio for multiple applications. It is now merging the designs to become better than ever.
By Donna Schmidt
When an OEM grows its line-up through an acquisition, it is generally great news for the company and its users. But when the designs are combined to create some of the most cutting-edge equipment solutions for an even greater audience, the great news becomes a milestone in the group’s history.
NAM recently spoke with Ben Hardman, VP of Sales for West Virginia-based, underground-focused J.H. Fletcher, who recalled the details of a 2022 transaction where Fletcher purchased the Cannon product line from Lakeshore/Trident.
“Many of their products mirrored Fletcher for much of the industrial mineral market (15m x 8m headings), but their products for the true hard rock market of small to medium entry sizes (3.5m x 3.5m to 5m x 5m) were much more advanced in raw design,” he said.
“However, over the years in competition with each other, Fletcher pushed more technology with controls and ergonomics. We now intend on merging these designs and offering two distinct chassis (DPIN & DPIS) for each of the rock bolting and face drilling machine. These chassis will cover the small and medium entry sizes.”
Hardman confirmed that the first of these new machines are in the works now and are set to be delivered in late summer 2025 to the University of Arizona for their miner training facility. Future models are scheduled for delivery to customers in Mexico later this year.
With a concentration on safety and reliability, Fletcher will be helping to enhance the Cannon product lines for a better-than-ever presence in the market, Hardman pointed out, adding that Fletchbus controls will enable the layout to be adaptable to the bolter as well reducing end-user stock levels and helping with maintenance hurdles down the road.
“As we all know, skilled operators and maintenance personnel as hard to come by. Therefore, a perfect blend of technology but simplicity is the goal,” he noted.
“Everyone thinks they want a fire breathing dragon of a machine with every bell and whistle, but more and more customers are finding they can’t find the maintenance personnel to keep up with it and it ends up being money flushed down the drain. We are striving for a happy medium.”
Steve Nye, the company’s western U.S. and Canadian director concurred, adding that both a single boom and dual boom face drill will be offered on the medium DPIS chassis. He added that depending upon the potential customer’s rock hardness, customers can equip their face drill with a choice from three in-house hydraulic percussive drills.
“The rock bolting machines will also be available with two in-house hydraulic percussive drills to choose from,” he noted. “The rock bolter will utilize one of the shortest bolting heads (bolt modules) on the market and therefore allowing operations to consider mechanizing their bolting cycling.”
The acquisition also provides JH Fletcher the opportunity to offer a full line of articulated utility vehicles all utilizing the same standardized front chassis and therefore minimizing parts inventories and creating efficiencies for maintenance departments.
“Cannon is a well-designed modular concept with bolt on/bolt off components,” he said. “The University of Arizona partnership will provide North American, Mexico and South American potential customers the ability to operate, get familiar with the machines’ functionality, drill a face, drill/install ground support and provide troubleshooting opportunities for maintenance personnel.
The stars of the drilling show, though, might be the company’s hydraulic percussive drill offering; HV-32 for rock bolting and CH-38 group for face drills.
“The HV-32 drill head from J.H. Fletcher…is a game-changer for roof bolting applications, particularly in challenging environments with hard-to-penetrate rock,” Hardman said. “The low-frequency, high-impact percussion cycle of the HV-32 significantly reduces drilling time, thereby lowering operational costs.
He added that its adaptability, available both on new roof bolters and as retrofit kits for existing equipment, will help to ensure mines can enhance productivity without investing in entirely new systems.
“The Fletcher HVL-38 and CH-38 series valveless, all-hydraulic accumulators are high-performance rock drills engineered for high-speed production face drilling. Their simple and reliable valveless design ensures low operating and maintenance costs,” he added, pointing out that a higher operating frequency help the drills to achieve penetration rates that surpass conventional valved drifters.
The design supports higher percussion pressure, delivering greater output compared to competing valveless models. An improved flushing head with larger seals minimizes hammer contamination, extending front head life. Available with both female and male striking bars, the HV-38 series can be tailored to the specific application.