MechChem Africa February 2019

Efforts to improve operational efficiencies have seen specialists in earthmoving and construction equipment, HPE Africa, supplying 10 specially adapted excavators to the Richards Bay port in Kwazulu-Natal. Adapted excavators improve port operations

T he Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) awarded the tender, and selected the 26-ton Hyundai R260LC-9S excavator series for a Richards Bay project. According to Alex Ackron, managing director, HPE Africa, the choice was fitting as the 26 ton excavators meet specific perfor- mance specifications, including best in class power and a 6.0 t lifting capacity throughout the required working cycle, at the required 12 rpmminimum swing speed. Ackron says, “The scope of this project requiredtheseexcavatorstobemountedonto mobile straddle carriers, for the efficient un- loading of materials – including coal, chrome and manganese – from freight rail car. “TheTPT-approved straddle carrier design – developed through TPT and HPE Africa’s close team work – adheres to Transnet’s stringent performance and safety standards. These specially adapted straddle carriers allow locomotives and rail carriages to pass safely beneath the structure.” HPEAfrica commissioned aRichards Bay- based engineering company to manufacture the straddle structures for the Hyundai excavators for this project. According to the company’s lead design engineer, the

straddle design is pinned instead ofbolted,toensurequickassembly time and reduced maintenance requirements. Prakash Ramsumuj, project manager for Transnet explains the

Hyundai 26 ton R260LC-9S Excavators have been fitted with specially-designed 1.6 m³ heavy-duty buckets and 2.5 m³ coal buckets, to maximise a railway car’s unloading speed.

motivation behind acquiring the excavators was tominimise the time period between the arrival of a freight train and unloading of ma- terials. He notes that the improved efficien- cies within Transnet Freight Rail significantly reduced lead times of bulkmaterials toexport customers. “Due to challenging operating require- ments and the corrosive environment in the port, Transnet and HPE Africa engaged in a highly-effective joint design review process after the tender was awarded,” he adds. To meet specific Transnet specifications, the Hyundai excavators were supplied with an enhanced operator cab, featuring an im- proved suspension seat, operator-friendly control cluster, reverse camera andHyundai’s Hi-Mate telematics system. The excavators, fitted with specially- designed 1.6 m³ heavy-duty buckets and 2.5m³ coal buckets, will also aim to maximise a railway car’s unloading speed.

Other features include a VEI load weigh- ing system, operator presence and engine protection system, LED lighting and a bucket cylinder protection system, and an efficient centralised greasing and fluid maintenance system. For additional safety, the design only allows the operator to enter and leave the straddleiftheexcavatorisorientatedat35°to the tracks, preventing anunattended straddle from being struck by a moving train. “As part of HPE Africa’s commitment to support South African business, approxi- mately 35% of the project value for modifi- cations was outsourced to local businesses within KwaZulu Natal – easily exceeding Transnet’s local content requirement for this tender,” says Ackron, who also noted that it was the close collaboration between HPE AfricaandTransnetthatenabledtheassembly of all 10 specialised excavators before the Transnet operational deadline at the end of August 2018. q

Earthmoving and construction equipment specialists HPE Africa were awarded a tender by Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) to supply 10 specially adapted excavators for its Richards Bay coal export facility.

18 ¦ MechChem Africa • February 2019