Tag Archives: hydraulics

Komatsu boosts longwall performance with Joy Compak Next Gen hydraulic control system

Coal technology, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , ,

Komatsu is looking to reinforce its longwall system powered roof supports (PRS) with the multifunctional Joy Compak Next Gen hydraulic control system, helping, it says, improve the performance of customers’ PRS and facilitate the shearer cutting rate with exceptional cycle time performance.

Engineered to be durable and reliable in rugged environments, the Joy Compak system features corrosion-resistant materials on valve block assemblies, components and the main body. With a reduced number of components to lessen wear and tear, the spool valve in the system is engineered to handle higher flow rates, to help reduce the risk of part failure and promote extended life, Komatsu said. Providing flexibility to suit the individual needs of your operation, the Joy Compak Next Gen hydraulic system can be conveniently upgraded or retrofit to any PRS system (regardless of manufacturer).

The high-performance valve technology of the Compak hydraulic control system helps improve cycle times by up to 12%, compared with the previous model. Designed with operators in mind, this hydraulic system’s overall size is reduced by up to 27% and weight by up to 30%, the company says, making it easier to position, while improving accessibility. Hosing position has also been conveniently located for better access, it added.

The reliable hydraulic valve system helps control modern automated longwall powered roof supports from the Faceboss electronic control system using solenoid control or through manual control with the solenoid push button override function. Ergonomically positioned for ease of access, operators can control the main override function easily and effectively through an integrated push button within the solenoid, Komatsu says.

Seals play a crucial role in the functionality of the hydraulic spools that operate roof support functions, and Komatsu’s seal technology helps prevent leakage in your hydraulic spools, it says. A simplified, standardised hydraulic circuit design helps provide a reduction in the number of spool valves without impacting performance of the Compak hydraulic system. This design minimises fitting and connecting hoses, to help reduce potential leak points.

Komatsu says the system can easily expand (over 16 functions) to increase functional requirements to suit the operation’s needs. For example, a standard 10-spool valve can be expanded through separate two- and four-spool expansion modules.

To help reduce lead times for replacement parts and streamline maintenance, the hydraulic control system features a modular design incorporating a series of standard components. Easy to change cartridge-style construction makes replacement straightforward and manageable, with manifolds, valve assemblies, cartridge valves and fittings all standard as part of the system’s modular design. The modular approach also makes upgrades easy, the company added.

Hydraulink delivers new levels of service and uptime at Indonesia coal mine

Equipment maintenance, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining services, , , , , , ,

An Indonesia coal mining operation in Kalimantan is, Hydraulink says, benefitting from the service availability, spare parts, and cost-efficiencies of partnering with the company’s hose and fittings organisation, as it seeks to maximise uptime of valuable equipment running 24/7.

Through local Hydraulink distributor, PT Intecs Teknikatama Industri (Intecs), the Indonesia mining contractor at the operation recently installed new hose fittings on a Cat 777D haul truck, weighs up to 161 t when full.

Hydraulink Indonesia Country Manager, Puji Wicaksono, said: “We knew this coal mining contractor needed all equipment running as efficiently as possible, with minimal downtime, to maximise their production and profitability. Hydraulics are crucial to reliability – just one broken hose can bring machinery grinding to a halt.

“So, we worked with our trusted and reliable local distributor, PT Intecs, and found that we could provide a better service offering for a lower cost than the customer was paying with their previous supplier.”

Hydraulink operates through more than 400 service points across Australia, New Zealand, Asia-Pacific, and the Pacific Islands, bringing essential, safety-complaint hydraulic hose and fittings, as well as traceable service expertise, to industries requiring prompt, quality 24/7 service either on or off site, it says.

The company services all of Indonesia, through local distributors like PT Intecs. PT Intecs has strengths in the mining market, which made them ideally suited to this job, according to Puji.

One of the challenges of being a supplier to a 24/7 mining operation is maintaining a reliable stock of spare parts of hydraulic hoses, fittings, adaptors and accessories. Hydraulink and PT Intecs worked with the customer to improve this offering compared with what it was receiving from a previous supplier.

“We keep stock of relevant hydraulic parts in the distributor branches closest to the mine site, which helps reduce lead times, and means we can service the mine vehicles more efficiently,” Puji said. “Additionally, all of our products are backed by warranty, so the customer has certainty that Hydraulink will stand by the quality of its products and service.”

To further enhance its offering to the mining contractor, Hydraulink provided tailored stock recommendations based on the machine population, and it also ran advanced training sessions with on-site personnel to ensure relevant employees were trained in the latest safety practices, according to Puji.

“Hydraulink also has a complete range of products, so the customer appreciates that they can source all their hydraulic components from a single source,” he said. “We are always working together with this customer to see how we can further improve our efficient stock management. And we’re available to solve any machinery performance issues that arise in the future.”

Danfoss to acquire Eaton’s Hydraulics business

Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, , , , , ,

Danfoss has entered into an agreement to acquire Eaton’s Hydraulics business, creating a “global leader in mobile and industrial hydraulics”, Kim Fausing, Danfoss’ President and CEO, says.

The company has agreed to pay $3.3 billion for the business, explaining that the acquisition is fully in line with Danfoss’ strategy to strengthen its core businesses and enhance customer value.

Fausing said the deal was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to combine the two companies’ largely complementary portfolios and geographic footprints.

“Eaton Hydraulics is a highly respected player in the global industry, recognised for its dedicated people and strong brands. By combining the knowledge and experience of the two businesses, our customers will benefit from unmatched expertise from a single partner,” he said.

“With this agreement, we continue to invest in our core hydraulics business and digital solutions to stay a strong technology partner.”

Craig Arnold, Eaton Chairman and CEO, said Eaton’s Hydraulics business will benefit greatly from being “part of a company that has hydraulics at its core”.

He added: “When complete, this deal will bring together two talented teams with deep hydraulics knowledge and expertise. And Eaton’s hydraulics team will be part of a company that is committed to becoming a global leader in mobile and industrial hydraulics. The combined business will also benefit customers and distributors by offering industry-leading technology and a much broader portfolio of hydraulic solutions.”

Danfoss says the two businesses are leaders in the industry and have many organisational similarities, including company culture and a focus on customers, R&D and quality. The combined business creates a broader presence across the world, while enabling Danfoss to enter the industrial hydraulics market served by Eaton Hydraulics, the company explained.

Eaton Hydraulics provides products for customers in markets such as agriculture, construction and industrial markets. It also supplies mining companies with harsh duty cycle component solutions and services.

The business will be transferred into the existing Danfoss business segment, Danfoss Power Solutions, adding around 11,000 employees and 2019 sales of $2.2 billion to the business segment, which will double the hydraulics business. Danfoss, today, has some 28,000 employees and 2019 sales of $7 billion. Accordingly, with this transaction, Danfoss will increase its size by one-third.

Eric Alström, President of Danfoss Power Solutions, said: “Hydraulics is our core, and we have for years strengthened our Power Solutions business through high customer focus, as well as through significant investments in technology leadership.

“I believe our customers will benefit from combining these two businesses into a full-line hydraulics player dedicated to innovation and with a broad offering of products, robust distribution channels and tremendous geographic reach.”

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close by the end of the year.