Lubricating mining equipment in sub-zero temperatures

Gidrosnab redesigns the Graco Husky 1050e for a mobile oil distribution system in the depths of Russia

At the end of August 2021, the Russian company Gidrosnab installed a mobile oil distribution system on a Kamaz truck. The system includes all the necessary equipment to replace engine oil, hydraulic fluid, transmission fluid, coolants and other essential fluids on a variety of construction and mining equipment and trucks. It also incorporates a high-pressure washing unit.

When the installation was finished, the truck was driven to the Republic of Sakha (also known as Yakutia) and put in service for a company in the gold mining area. Here it is working in extremely harsh environmental conditions, with temperatures ranging from -60°C to +50°C.
 

EFFICIENT ON-SITE LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE

Such a system is proving indispensable. It ensures that mining equipment gets efficiently and regularly lubricated and maintained on-site. Previously, equipment often had to be withdrawn from the quarry and sent to the nearest maintenance center, which would result in unwanted downtime and productivity losses.

The pumping equipment used is high-performance, reliable and safe. Fluids are distributed from pre-filled containers. Moreover, through the Graco Pulse Pro fluid management system, the company has a real-time overview of every fluid delivery.

AN INNOVATIVE ALTERNATIVE

Gidrosnab came up with an alternative solution. They designed a hydraulic-powered double diaphragm pump, based on the Graco Husky 1050e (but without an electric motor). They chose to adapt the Husky 1050e because it is the only double-diaphragm pump with a design that allows it to be converted from being electrically operated to a hydraulic powered unit, while maintaining all the beneficial features of a double-diaphragm pump. In addition, all the equipment in the truck is hydraulically powered, as this is a more compact, cost-effective solution which allows multiple devices to be connected and used simultaneously.

The work took approximately six months and was carried out at Gidrosnab’s own extensive facilities. The newly resigned pump was installed in the truck, and now operates successfully at all temperatures. The system also incorporates Graco’s hydraulic powered Dyna-Star pumps and Graco Hydra-Clean pressure washers.

MORE INFORMATION

If you are interested in learning more about Graco’s Pulse Pro, Husky 1050e or any of the company’s other automatic lubrication products, fill in the form below.