REBUILDS
sandblasted frame , crack test , reinforced and repaired where required , all new hoses , wiring , gauges , reconditioned engine , transmission axles , etc . Full testing and certification was carried out before delivery to site . Another project saw a Sandvik Axera two boom jumbo rebuilt with reconditioned drive train , fully rebuilt drifters , new feed rails , pins , bushings etc . This unit was part of QME ’ s rental fleet before being sold to a customer for use on a tunnel project in Europe . QME has also rebuilt loaders , trucks , drill rigs , roof reinforcement bolters , production long hole drills , as well as mine / tunnel support equipment such as scissor lifts , transmixers , scalers , explosive charging units etc . QME also has a dedicated offering of bespoke ' mine ready ' Toyota 4x4s which can be customised depending on specific mine requirements .
Australian rebuild expertise
Now part of Emeco Group , Pit N Portal ( PNP ) with facilities in Maddington , WA says it is highly adept at providing ‘ back to new ’ machine rebuilds . The company delivers the reliability and productivity of brand new equipment at 60 % of the capital cost . This comprehensive service is backed by warranties and financial options that rival the OEMs . While each project is tailored to client specifications , a ' standard ' rebuild includes components rebuilt , all pumps , electrical , valves and hoses replaced , OEM updates and frames reclaimed , bolt holes tapped , and bosses / lugs replaced . Guards / covers are also replaced / repaired , anticorrosive coatings applied and the cab re-built and re-certified . Finally comes rigorous testing / adjusting and a complete suite of project reports , safety , quality , performance and statutory documentation . “ PNP provides certainty throughout all projects via detailed weekly reporting , rigorous testing and calibration . Additionally , dedicated on-site commissioning and field support is made available to smooth the handover process .”
As an example , an eight week project saw the rebuild of a Caterpillar R1700 underground loader . Completed mid-April 2021 , the project included a strip down to bones and a comprehensive overhaul of the transmission , axle / power-train hydraulics , operators cab , electrics , frame / body , bucket , tyres and rims . In addition to a new RCT guidance system , a Cat VR Engine ( imported from US ) and after-market DPF unit was installed , allowing for reduced emissions and impressive fuel economy . The unit was fully commissioned and production ready for a high-profile Kalgoorlie Goldfields end user .
PNP also recently rolled out a freshly rebuilt Sandvik DL421 underground drill rig equipped with Minnovare ’ s Production Optimiser™ technology for use at the Marvel Loch gold
IM spoke to QME ' s John Rooney , Mining & Tunneling Equipment Manager , for more insight into its offer and way of working
Q What depth of experience and capabilities does QME bring to the mining equipment overhaul and rebuild business ? A QME has been in the heavy equipment business for almost 40 years . During that time QME has been heavily involved in the global mining , tunnelling and quarrying industries with sales , rental of new and used machines , as well as rebuilds of used mobile equipment for underground and surface operations . QME has to date supplied new , used and rebuilt machines to Europe , Asia , Africa and the Americas and continues to offer global solutions for our international clients . We take used machines that are deemed uneconomical to operate and strip these to the frame and then perform complete frame up rebuilds with new and remanufactured components to the client ' s exact specification and budget . We offer various options for level of rebuild are dependent on client expectations , budget and timeframe . We also offer a service exchange program for driveline components and rock drills . Our offering include sales and rent / return or rent to buy options .
Q How does your rebuild offering tie in to your contracting , rental and other roles ? A The capability to rebuild equipment and components allows QME to be ultra-competitive both in the tender phase and also the completion of our contracts . As we have an in-house ability to procure , rebuild and renew equipment , we can be significantly more competitive for our contract tenders . In addition to the lower cost to mobilise the required equipment we can also minimise the lead time allowing for fastest possible mobilisation of equipment to the contract site . In addition , we offer rental of rebuilt ( and new ) machines to other equipment end users globally who need equipment delivered to start their projects while they wait for new machines from the OEMs .
Q Is your ability to carry out rebuilds across the whole spectrum including different OEMs like Sandvik and Epiroc but also older and newer models a major advantage ? A Yes , our clients know and understand that when they approach QME for equipment , we are capable of supplying a broad spectrum of equipment from all the major OEMs . This allows a one stop shop scenario where we can supply multiple types of machines to any project irrespective of the original manufacturer . Another key point which also sets us apart from many other equipment suppliers is that we are also end users , not just an equipment dealer and rebuilder . Our contracting division is at the face every day and we fully understand the challenges and requirements to keep a fleet running in the harshest conditions . This in-house experience allows us to create bespoke engineering solutions that may not necessarily be available from the major manufacturers . We have designed and certified many bespoke machines in close collaboration with our clients and this has proven to be very successful with many repeat orders .
Q What investments have you made at your facilities to enable you to offer a comprehensive rebuild service ? A Firstly and most importantly we invest heavily in our people , ensuring safe and effective working practices by continuous improvement processes and continued training and upskilling . We have a team of fully experienced mechanical technicians , boilermakers and electrical specialists in our workshops and a growing number of apprentices who are learning the trades . We are also committed to increasing the workshop capacity in coming months in order to meet the ever growing demand for our rebuild and rental services . QME will extend its workshop area to more than double its current size in the coming year and this will allow more capacity and faster turnaround . We will also be investing in a new dedicated paint booth which will also increase the throughput of equipment and components . QME continues to also invest in latest technology tooling to ensure the workshop is fully prepared for all eventualities . We are a fully self-sufficient ' one-stop shop ' and this allows us to maintain complete control on our internal costs and delivery times which allows us to successfully continue to meet our client ' s expectations .
operations in Western Australia . The 10-week was fitted with Production Optimiser , which build at Pit N Portal ’ s purpose-built complex in improves drilling accuracy , speed and QA / QC – Perth , Western Australia harnessed the collective resulting in optimal drilling patterns and skills of specialist tradespeople , headed up by improved stope performance , Pit N Portal said . Phil Lipscomb , Workshop Manager .
“ The flow-on benefits to the mine include In addition to the complete overhaul , the unit reduced average dilution , increased recovery
68 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2022