The solution help extend pin and bush life and reduced production time lost due to line boring saving the site ZAR 2.9 million Rands for the fleet of LHD’s
Application
Bucket pin and bush in underground hardrock mining. The bucket pins and bushes are exposed to high shock loads, heavy shock loads and extreme wet and dusty conditions.
Identify
By working collaboratively with the mine and looking at the current pin life of between 200 to 500 hours, it was determined that a high performance grease should be used to improve pin life. The OEM lubrication specification was for a high viscosity base oil with molybdenum disulphide with good water resistance.
Agree
It was agreed to use Tribol Molub-Alloy 777-2 NG to effect improvements required:
- Maximise component life time
- Reduce lubricant maintenance
- Maximise machine availability
- Lower operating costs
Deliver
The change significantly improved pin life and pins now lasts the life of the bucket. Savings achieved was due to reduction of pin and bush replacement cost and seal and shims cost. Also productivity loss was reduced due fewer pin changes and time lost due to line boring.
