Hydraulic cylinder         Vehicle-mounted hydraulic puller

     Sole distributors of Simplex hydraulic equipment in South Africa, Becker Engineering is awaiting the go-ahead to initiate commissioning of a 200-t capacity hydraulic lifting system that it has supplied to a major platinum mine.

     The customer ordered the system ahead of planned operations to replace a fatigued structure at one of its mines later this month.

     The system comprises five Simplex Silver Lite aluminium spring return cylinders, each with a capacity of 50 t. Four will be put to use, with one held in reserve for times of main-tenance.

     The cylinders possess large bearing surfaces for side load protection, hard anodised coatings to defend against wear and corrosion, stop rings for piston blow-out protection and rod wipers to protect the inner cylinder from dirt abrasion.

     The cylinders will be controlled by a Simplex PEM4032 220-V pump. This unit is driven by an electric motor and is continually rated for extended uninterrupted use. They are available in 200 V, 380 V and 500 V.

     The pump features a single-phase induction motor and patented Suc-O-Matic mechanism that reduces retraction time.

    “These high-pressure custom-built power packs can operate four cylinders simultaneously, or individually, from the control panel of the power pack,” product manager Eugene Davids explains.

    “Every system – with an operating pressure up to 70 MPa – is manufactured according to stringent quality controls to ensure optimum performance in arduous conditions for extended periods.”

     In a milestone operation, the mining house is planning to replace existing headgear towers at a shaft with a new structure that is already fully assembled to reduce down time at the operation, he adds.

     A hydraulic jack placed at each corner will hoist the new structure, rails will be laid and the structure conveyed into position.

     The towers weigh about 80 t, which is well within the system jacking capacity.

     However, Davids cautions that good practice encourages using only 80% of the equipment’s capacity and pressure ratings.

    “The client decided on the aluminium cylinders because they are lightweight yet sturdy. “The Simplex Silver Lite series cuts carrying weights by up to 60%,” Davids says.

      African mining conditions, Davids explains, often call for standard cylinder equipment in more robust material. For its customers in local industry and mining, Becker Engineering manufactures a custom range of solid and centre-hole cylinders from steel, using the Simplex aluminium blueprint. It also imports Simplex steel cyclinders, including the patented new Hard-Kor centrehole cylinders.

     These are available from 12 t through to 600 t and, with their single-piece unified body they are far stronger than traditional centre-hole cylinders whose threaded or welded construction can lead to weak spots which are a major cause of blowout.

    “These cylinders will last up to three times longer than traditional central-hole cylinders,” says Davids of the robust new technology. Comparative trials, he adds, have been sufficient to convince some of his sceptical clients of its merits.

      Davids explains that Becker continues to import the Simplex range because of the cost-competitiveness of dealing in large volumes and the strong worldwide reputation of the brand name.

     The Simplex range of hydraulic components is used in diverse applications for lifting, pushing, pulling and positioning heavy equipment and machinery.

     In April 2007, Becker Engineering used a system of two 60-t Simplex hydraulic centrehole cylinders to pull a 1,5-t transformer at a local power station.

    “This was the first time this power station has been able to move a large transformer like this one, in the required time, without causing any damage. “This transformer, with its attachments, weighs over five tons when fully charged with oil,” says Davids.

    “The transformer was packed onto a skid and ran on two channels fitted with special Teflon pads.

    “The speed of movement was achieved by using a specially built heavy-duty power pack that delivered sufficient flow of oil to jack out the piston of the one cylinder, while retracting the other cylinder.”

     The company has also been contracted to commission a hydraulic mining system at a diamond mine in Lesotho.

      Becker Engineering has a national repair, test, spare-parts and after-sales service for its custom-built hydraulic systems.
For more information,please visit http://www.bossgoo.com