Excavator-Hitachi ex3600

Excavator-Hitachi ex3600

Excavator-Hitachi ex3600

Introduction

Hitachi Australia has been tracking the premature component life on all its machines which were first raised some years ago regarding the Ex2500 machines. In April this year they initiated the following process as a means of investigating potential causes, i.e. thorough oil sample analysis of all transmission and drive components with premature life and to identify operational practices that may be contributing to premature component life.

The scope of this study aims to review the history to identify probable causes of the premature swing motor and component life on the Ex3600 machines, evaluate the Ex3600 machines' performance by testing operational functions, identify operational setups and operator techniques and practices that may be contributing factors in the machines' premature component life, recommend solutions that should return the machine's performance to expected performance standards, availability and improved site operational performance.

Discussion

Some operations, such as coal mines, the demand for ultra-large excavators to use electric power is supplied from coal-fired power plant adjacent to the mine is expanding, developing a formula EX5500E -6 of the electric motor. Excavators electric is not equipped with an electric motor instead of a diesel engine, running under the power supply from outside the body, in the expression engine area quality and diesel highlands because output reduction is bad enough, such as cold climates very even in areas that are difficult to demonstrate performance, stable operation is possible if motorized. Operability is good, because of the low running cost, the demand for new mines such as mines and ready-to-use electric rope shovel feeding facilities, low-cost power is expected to be obtained. We are planning future EX2500E -6 at any time, to develop electric hydraulic excavator EX3600E -6, we tried to enrich the series.

Methodology

The mechanical and operational review was undertaken by Frank Di Napoli and Graeme Plant and conducted over four days from 8th to 10th November 2009 and included:

Interview of maintenance personnel to review of swing motor problems and corrective actions.

Collect historical data relating to the problem.

Conduct machine operational performance tests on all Ex3600 excavators.

Conduct InMotion techniques/time/motion analysis on the 3600 excavators/truck operations. Review production performance data to review availability and performance results.

Interview operations personnel and conduct in-pit operational observations to identify operational setups and operator techniques and practices that may be contributing factors to the premature component life problem.

Summary of Findings and Recommendations

The Napoli Group is confident that, based on available data, analysis and observations XYZ Mining Pty Ltd have within this report the necessary information to understand and act upon the identified causes of premature swing motor and component life on the Ex3600 machines.

Maintenance Costs and Business Losses

The cost to the business of Ex3600 components that have a premature life and the resultant production losses is in excess of $3.5 million. Hitachi Australia maintenance history shows that the ongoing problems faced by XYZ are not evident at other mining operations. However, site management is in the best position to decide if these costs and subsequent losses are acceptable or otherwise to the ...