Maintenance and Repairs

green clean
 Features

A green clean for heavy duty mining equipment

Due to the nature of large-scale extraction and excavation operations, the risk of doing damage to the environment is always high, crystalised as an ongoing discussion for heavy industry. Acting based on these concerns has been on the forefront of the collective hive mind in recent years, with environment, health, and safety (EHS) issues reaching their tipping point around the globe. According to CBC’s Steve Keown, energy companies are particularly well-positioned to address these concerns. “In an effort to mitigate these risk factors and address these concerns, leading energy companies like Viva Energy, Shell’s Macro-Distributor have been working to develop products with a low environmental impact,” he says. “As a result, the mining and quarrying sectors have been taking the lead on some of the most innovative products in the zero-impact space, including the production of biodegradable cleaning agents for heavy equipment.” The CBC Product Manager for Cleaners, Solvents and Degreasers discusses in detail, CBC’s dedication to providing market leading biodegradable products to customers. “In Australia, CBC has been working with some of their key suppliers like Viva Energy for the Shell brand, along with the reach of our distribution channels to take the lead on delivering these products to market,” he explains. Viva Energy Australia has mandated a commitment to what they call ‘Goal Zero’ in their Statement of Commitment to Health, Safety, Security and the Environment, proposing a stop in operations if the fundamentals of the commitment are not being met.1 CBC aims to assist in meeting the Goal Zero target by providing exceptional knowledge on the monitoring and measuring of product performance against Viva Energy guidelines. “We have a vested interest in working with the team at Viva Energy as a trusted supply partner and also an industry leader on tested and certified standard biodegradable products.” One such product is the Viva own Dobatex range. Currently CBC locations stock three key products in the Dobatex range network-wide: Dobatex Aqua Degreaser, Gold and Platinum. According to Steve, Dobatex are some of the most premium biodegradable products on the market right now. “Most companies are looking for a product that can be used over a wide range of applications,” says Steve. “Dobatex is an organic water-based cleaning compound developed specifically for heavy duty industrial and automotive applications in the mining and quarrying segments. It can be used on mobile equipment such as diggers, dozers, and trucks.” Dobatex meets the Australian standard for Biodegradability, compliant with AS 4351.2 and allows for concentration rates from 1 percent through to 30 percent, depending on application that the products are being used for.
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coupling
 Features

Good vibrations with high performance steel grid coupling

In the mining sector, an effective grid coupling needs to stand up to earth-shattering vibrations, while at the same time, lending some flexibility to an application. “A heavy shock load can devastate a coupling arrangement even on the most robust equipment, which is why Rexnord developed the Falk Steelflex T-design range,” says Steve Hittmann, BSC’s National Product Manager for Mechanical Drive Systems & Belt Drives. “The aim with this product was to surpass competitors in performance and durability under high-impact conditions.” “In mining and quarrying, grid couplings will generally be used in the crushing, grinding, and agitating of material,” explains Steve. “They are also used in pump, conveyor, dragline, and high-speed gearbox applications, where they are really about the protection of the driven unit through their ability to absorb massive amounts of vibrations,” he adds. “Third party testing found that Falk Steelflex grid couplings are 4.7x more durable than a leading competitor’s grid coupling and 16x more durable than other brands,” furthers Steve. “Even though many grid couplings appear similar, a huge gap in performance remains between brands,” he emphasises. The technology was originally used in the production of aircraft components that carry heavy loads and deflect high vibrations in air. According to Steve, the key is torsional ability. “The Steelflex Grid Couplings employ torsion to deflect normal shock or vibratory loads, making them durable and flexible to changing load conditions,” says Steve. “In addition to this, Steelflex tunes the drive system. It absorbs the energy of impact by spreading it over increments of time, dampening the vibrations and reducing peak loads by as much as 30%,” he adds. The Falk Steelflex T10 Grid couplings are fabricated from steel for maximum strength; machined to within 0.001 inches, permitting utilisation of any hub surface for measurement of shaft alignment. “The tapered grids are made of high strength alloy steel, quenched, and tempered to spring hardness,” explains Steve. “The grid surface is then precision shot peened to compress the surface molecules for increased strength.” “The effect is a dramatic increase in rating, providing reserve strength for longer life or allowing a smaller size coupling to be selected,” he enthuses. Read More
outback
 Features

Serving the South Australian outback

The heavy industrial landscape of underground mines and processing plants peppered across the outback can conjure up images that resemble something out of a Mad Max film. But the team at CBC Regency Park is used to contending with the common challenges faced across industries such as oil, gas, mining, and quarrying.  Conveniently located in the urban centre of Adelaide, CBC Regency Park is the largest branch in the state, and a key supplier to the surrounding industrial regions and townships.  Peter Dixon, Internal Sales, has a deep understanding of the needs and requirements of his customer base, having served at CBC Regency Park for more than 14 years. Parlaying with customers who are on remote sites and liaising with suppliers to find solutions is all in a day’s work for the team at Regency Park. “Quite a few of our customers are mining contractors who either ring us up or actually drive down from the desert-hot outback towns, about 560km North-West of Adelaide,” says Peter.  “Mining contractors often look to us as the premium supplier for their respective operations,” explains Peter. “They are seeking out products that can withstand the high-heat, dry, dusty conditions of the industrial landscape in the outback, which can be particularly gruelling on heavy machinery and equipment in processing plants.”   “When it comes to assisting these types of customers, we rely on our premium partnerships with suppliers like LOCTITE®, who provide us with an extensive range of product, as well as access to training programs and knowledge bases,” adds Peter. “We are a solutions-based organisation and that ensures a synergistic relationship with solutions-based suppliers like LOCTITE.”  Peter was approached by a mining contractor last month that required large quantities of adhesive sealant that could be used on high-heat applications on site. In collaboration with his account and area managers, the solution Peter arrived at was the LOCTITE SI 596; a silicone paste sealant that forms a moisture-proof rubber bond; ideal for operating under high-heat conditions, up to 250 degrees Celsius.  The customer agreed and ordered a high volume of SI 596 to be shipped out to their receiving location near major mining destinations in South Australia. Peter speaks to why this product was the right solution for high-heat conditions.  Read More