Modern Mining December 2016

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PRODUCT News
Three high capacity double -girder
overhead travelling workshop cranes, com-
pleted on schedule for Exxaro and installed
recently at Grootegeluk coal mine in North
West Province, are undergoing commis-
sioning trials.
The three cranes, ordered to assist with
large vehicle maintenance, were manufac-
tured by Condra on behalf of East Rand
Cranes, the company’s authorised distrib-
utor for North West Province. East Rand
Cranes secured the R7-million-plus con-
tract in April.
Two of the cranes are identical 18,4-m
span 50/20-ton machines fitted with vari-
able frequency drives on the main hoists to
facilitate precise positioning of very heavy
loads. Exxaro’s third crane, also with a span
of 18,4 m, has one 20-ton hoist.
Design of all three cranes was described
by a Condra spokesman as “standard”,
although they feature live-axle drives
across their design in place of the more
common ring-gear configuration, part of
Condra’s mandate to keep maintenance
costs to a minimum.
Other non-standard elements of the
Exxaro contract include special LED light-
ing, limit switches on the long-travels and
cross-travels, and armoured cable on all
wiring.
East Rand Cranes is thought to have
won the Exxaro order because of a com-
bination of competitive pricing, machine
durability, after sales service and Condra’s
ability to meet short lead times.
Although competitors for this contract
included companies from Europe and
China, they were not able to overcome
East Rand Cranes’record of very high levels
of on-site after sales service, and Condra’s
ability to manufacture on short notice.
“We have developed manufacturing
techniques over the past 50 years that
enable us to fast-track production and
accommodate the tight deadlines that
today’s global markets often demand,”
commented Condra’s MD, Marc Kleiner.
“We also pursue a market-imposed
mandate to continuously drive down
machine maintenance costs, which is why
we offer live-axle drives.
“Our gearboxes were up-rated some
years back to deliver additional power,
and the company today uses a 36B case-
hardened material on most pinions. This
material, though expensive, is beneficial in
extending crane lifespan.
“Additionally, we fit our hoists wher-
ever possible with high tensile-strength
ropes to reduce rope diameter and enable
a reduction in drumdiameter and a smaller
gearbox and motor.”
Condra, tel (+27 11) 776-6000
Workshop cranes installed at coal mine
One of the three cranes for Grootegeluk undergoing load
testing at Condra’s Germiston factory.