While lubrication is a necessity in the mining industry, it’s not always easy to access. Tradesales is looking to change this.
The efficient operation of mining machinery relies heavily on proper lubrication, yet such a solution can be difficult to access and maintain.
Tradesales recognised this and developed the Lubestation, designed to expedite maintenance processes for fixed and mobile machinery on mine sites.
The Lubestation centralises the storage and handling of vital fluids like oils, greases, and coolants into one contamination-free, fit-for-purpose unit.
“Everywhere you look on a mine site, there’s machinery that depends on fluids to function,” Tradesales national sales manager Jay McEwen told Australian Mining.
“Just like your daily drive, mining machinery, from 400-tonne haul trucks through to forklifts and fixed plant facilities, require engine and gearbox oils, greases, coolants and more.
“Without these fluids, at best machinery will soon start underperforming, and at worst machinery will break down and require an off-schedule rebuild, costing both time and money.”
Image: Tradesales
The Lubestation combines all the necessary fluids into one secure unit, eliminating contamination risks while streamlining maintenance.
Contamination, whether caused by dust, water, or process chemicals, is responsible for the lion’s share of lubrication-related failures, significantly shortening equipment life.
Lubricant contamination can occur at any time, whether during transport, storage, or in operation, costing mining companies millions of dollars in downtime.
“Reducing contamination has been a priority in our design,” McEwen said. “The Lubestation features replaceable dust filters, ventilated enclosures, and bunding compliant with Australian Standards. This keeps fluids secure and contamination-free while protecting the environment.”
The safety of workers is another key focus of the Lubestation’s design, which eliminates the need for manual handling of fluids.
Tradesales offers multiple Lubestation configurations to meet the diverse needs of the mining industry, including mobile, fixed plant, and workshop options.
Mobile equipment Lubestations
Mobile Lubestations are designed for field operations, enabling seamless lubrication for trucks, excavators, and other heavy equipment.
These relocatable units, featuring hoses and user-friendly handpieces, allow operators to top up fluids directly in the field without returning to service bays.
“We were approached to design and manufacture several 20-foot, five-IBC (intermediate bulk container) mobile plant Lubestations for Roy Hill,” McEwen said.
“Four of the IBCs will dispense oils, while the fifth will be used to top up the coolant of mobile equipment.”
The unit was fitted out with five five-to-one pneumatically operated Meclube piston pumps, while a Graco Husky pump was also added, which will be used to dispense the coolant.
Fixed plant Lubestations
Fixed plant Lubestations cater to the needs of stationary equipment like conveyors and crushers that run around the clock.
With dedicated decanting areas, they allow maintenance crews to efficiently transfer large volumes of fluids while safeguarding against spills and contamination.
In collaboration with Talison, which operates the Greenbushes lithium mine in WA, Tradesales designed a 20-foot fixed plant Lubestation tailored to the miner’s specific needs.
The Lubestation accommodates six different oils pumped from 1000-litre IBCs using Graco Husky pumps, offering an efficient solution while preventing manual handling issues by transitioning from 205-litre drums to IBCs.
Fluids are channelled through stainless-steel pipes to a series of taps, allowing easy dispensing into smaller 20-litre oil-safe containers used by the maintenance team on-site.
Workshop Lubestations
For workshops, the Lubestation connects directly to hose reels via gantries or bulkheads, ensuring maintainers have quick and easy access to fluids.
This setup eliminates time wasted retrieving and handling fluids, boosting productivity and safety.
“At BHP Jimblebar, our custom Lubestation was integrated into the site’s MEM (mobile equipment maintenance) workshop,” McEwen said.
Image: Tradesales
“With six IBCs and external plumbing, maintainers could top up fluids quickly without entering the storage area.
“It was even painted to match the workshop infrastructure, demonstrating how we can customise units to fit seamlessly into existing operations.”
Built for mining, designed for versatility
The Lubestation is more than a tool, it’s an investment in productivity and safety. Boasting modular designs and bunded and ventilated cyclone-rated builds, the units can be deployed across mines, pits, and workshops.
Each Lubestation is a reusable asset with minimal maintenance requirements and a long design life.
Tradesales prides itself on tailoring Lubestations to meet clients’ unique needs.
“We offer standard designs, but every project is customisable,” McEwen said.
“Our aim is to deliver solutions that address specific operational challenges while maximising efficiency.”
Proven results in the sector
Tradesales’ Lubestations have been implemented by many Tier 1 mining companies, including Fortescue, Rio Tinto, BHP, and Northern Star.
From mobile operations to fixed facilities, Lubestations are helping these companies save time, reduce downtime, and minimise costs.
“The feedback from our clients has been overwhelmingly positive,” McEwen said. “They see tangible benefits in terms of efficiency and reduced contamination risks, which translate to extended equipment lifespans and lower maintenance costs.”
With its innovative design and versatile applications, Tradesales’ Lubestation range is setting new standards for maintenance in the mining sector.
By addressing critical challenges like contamination, safety, and downtime, the Lubestation ensures operations run smoothly keeping machinery in peak condition and miners focused on the job at hand.
“Our goal has always been to provide practical, cost-effective solutions,” McEwen said.
“The Lubestation is proof of how innovative thinking can make a tangible difference in the industry.”
This feature appeared in the March 2025 issue of Australian Mining.
