Any dragline, any size: Columbia Steel meets the unique challenges faced by aggregate operations
PORTLAND, OR – FEBRUARY 2017 – Finding OEM replacement wear parts can be challenging for aggregate operators – just ask Jesse Fritz, Columbia Steel’s Dragline Product Engineering Manager.
“We’ve gotten numerous customer requests to evaluate rigging components for smaller draglines,” says Fritz. “Often these machines are older, with little or no original OEM support, and their maintenance crews are looking for answers.” By updating the wear parts for this equipment with newer Columbia designs, he continues, “these customers are now benefiting from rigging that weighs less and delivers higher performance.”
These benefits are integral to the dragline component designs. To trim weight and simplify maintenance and inventory, Columbia’s engineers have developed consolidated hoist links, standardized pin connecting systems, innovative hoist and drag chain, and GET products – all for draglines with buckets sized right for aggregate operations.
For example, Columbia Steel hoist components are designed to mate with links for tighter fits. This minimizes shock loads throughout the entire rigging package, reducing wear and tear on the components themselves. Customers can speed up their installation of links, clevises, sockets and spreader bar ends with Columbia’s mechanical pin system. Pin change outs may seem small compared to the size and scale of most dragline maintenance, but Columbia Steel engineers know every minute counts during costly downtime. Their pin system provides a positive lock without welding or hammers, for safer and quicker installation.
Alloy selection for these customers is crucial, as well. Aggregate draglines routinely endure heavy impacts and highly abrasive materials. Columbia’s H-series martensitic steel provides high strength, toughness and abrasion resistance for payloads of limestone, sand and gravel. For extra wear life, Xtend Process® high carbide overlays have hardness levels up to 700HB when bonded to L and H series alloys. And Columbia’s XtraLife® integrally-cast hoist and drag chain is the standard of the industry worldwide.
Columbia Steel’s engineers and field reps will be at the 2017 CONEXPO-CON/AGG show in Las Vegas, NV, Booth 30911, Central Hall. The company is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, USA. Its 86-acre facility is home to an on-site product design and engineering department and full-service steel casting foundry. Columbia Steel serves aggregate producers with a wide range of replacement wear parts in a variety of alloys.
Learn more about our dragline wear parts →See us at CONEXPO 2020!