The CIFA “fauna” welcomes a new member: the Wombat, a revolutionary shotcrete pump designed to simplify tunnel wall consolidation work. Let’s explore how this machine can help ensure safe and seamless operations in particularly challenging job sites, such as tunnels.
What is a "spritz" for shotcrete?
A shotcrete pump is a machine used to apply concrete onto tunnel surfaces during construction or reinforcement. This type of pump is specifically designed to handle concrete in a sprayed application, a process known as spritz beton, which involves projecting concrete at high pressure onto tunnel walls.
Agility meets strength in shotcrete
The Wombat spritz model joins CIFA’s animal-inspired fleet, alongside products such as the Mamba, Rhino, and Dingo.
This naming choice reflects the strength, reliability, and specialization of each product—qualities also found in the new Wombat. This shotcrete pump is mounted on a compact articulated chassis, allowing for tight maneuverability in confined spaces, such as small and medium-sized tunnels.
Like its namesake animal, the Wombat is robust, agile, and perfectly suited to harsh environments. This latest addition to the CIFA family delivers top-tier performance even in tight spaces while ensuring ease of use.
The new Spritz Model: agile with an articulated arm
The Wombat is a powerhouse of technology and innovation. Here are the features that make it the perfect ally for tunnel work:
- Versatile: the boom is specifically designed for use in mining and small to medium-sized tunnels. It is a strong, flexible, and precise boom that rotates on a vertical axis. Comprising a single telescopic section, it allows for easier shotcrete application even in narrow tunnels, reaching up to 10 meters in height.
- Ergonomic: the Wombat features a closed driver’s cab with ROPS-FOPS certification (protection against rollovers and falling objects). The driver’s seat can rotate 180° to ensure maximum visibility, maneuverability, and operator comfort.
- Customizable: to meet specific customer needs, the Wombat can be equipped with various optional features, including ANSUL and FOGMAKER fire suppression systems for maximum safety in any situation. Additionally, an optional compressor can be added, making the machine self-sufficient for air supply and further enhancing its versatility and autonomy on-site.
Efficiency and precision on the job: shotcrete applications
The versatility of the Wombat makes it the ideal solution for a wide range of underground construction projects, where space, maneuverability, and precision are crucial. Here are some key applications where the Wombat excels:
- Tunnel and mining construction: in these confined and often irregular environments, the Wombat’s compact size, maneuverability, and articulated boom are essential. Its ability to reach difficult areas and spray concrete onto uneven tunnel walls with precision ensures a secure and durable lining, critical for structural stability. Moreover, its efficiency reduces work time and labor costs.
- Ground consolidation: the Wombat is perfect for stabilizing unstable terrain, such as slopes or excavations. Its ability to spray concrete uniformly and with control creates an effective reinforcement, preventing landslides and collapses. Its precision minimizes environmental impact by reducing material usage and waste.
- Support structure construction: retaining walls, specialized foundations, and other support structures can be efficiently built with the Wombat. Its ability to apply concrete onto vertical and inclined surfaces, even in confined spaces, makes it an indispensable tool for these projects.
- Underground infrastructure maintenance: the Wombat is the perfect solution for repairing and restoring underground infrastructures such as pipelines, tunnels, and galleries. Its maneuverability allows it to reach difficult-to-access areas, while its precise spraying ensures targeted and effective interventions, extending the lifespan of infrastructures.
Why Choose the CIFA Wombat?
The answer is simple: the Wombat is different. It’s not just an upgrade of existing models—it’s a revolution in underground machinery. At CIFA, we have listened to industry professionals, analyzed market challenges, and created a machine that provides a concrete and innovative response to the needs of those working in underground construction sites.
The Wombat moves effortlessly where others fear to go, reaches inaccessible areas, and applies shotcrete with precision. It is a valuable ally that enables you to work more efficiently, safely, and profitably.
