HEAVY ENGINEERING AND WEAR PARTS
the material load. They can be retrofitted and attached to the structural sides of the transfer point enclosure to contain dust and spillage.
Commonly also called“ canoe liners”, some urethane skirtboard liners feature a steel plate, moulded and encased in thick urethane, to prevent bond issues. A unique T-slot mounting interface allows the liner to be adjusted from outside the chute wall, eliminating the need for confined space entry.
The strip and its bottom edges should be machine-cut to the trough angle and the length of the transfer point to help seal the enclosure, Marshall says. The angle helps the unit better protect the skirting from larger material and spillage, allowing the skirting to focus on sealing in turbulent, dusty air. This prolongs the life of the skirting, reducing maintenance and downtime, according to the company.
“ Not all transfer chutes can accommodate a urethane skirtboard liner, so a metal liner is required,” Marshall explains.“ Wear liners are typically ¼-inch( 6.35 mm) sheets of metal welded to the inside of the chute, with the skirt seal mounted on the outside.” Instead, Martin Engineering designers came up with the idea of raising the chute work about 100 mm above the belt, out of the way of the material, then putting the wear liner on the outside.“ Using this approach, the material still hits the liner without damaging the chute,” Marshall says, with this configuration allowing for service outside of the enclosure
After elevating the chute box above the material flow, a 9.5-12.7 mm thick abrasionresistant liner plate( AR500) is mounted on the outside of the chute, followed by the skirt seal. Mounting brackets with jackscrews provide a tight hold, with precision adjustment of the wear liner to reduce spillage.
“ This system closes the gap between the liner and the sealer, thus eliminating abrasion from trapped material without interfering with existing supports,” Marshall says.“ When accompanied by skirting and clamps, the system forms a tight belt seal, delivering outstanding fugitive material control.”
An external liner can be installed and adjusted more quickly and easily, without the need for a grinder or torch, using special mounting tabs, according to Marshall. Clips for bolting the liner are initially welded in place and do not need to be removed when the liner wears out.“ Since the work is done from the outside, without any grinding sparks or torch flame, the hazard of explosive dust from tool usage is greatly reduced.”
Replacement liners come in a standard length of 1,829 mm, and Martin Engineering uses laser cutting technology to create the complex geometries necessary for a custom
40 fit, according to Marshall.
He adds:“ The new liner is easily retrofitted onto existing equipment. Installers simply cut back the chute wall on existing chute boxes to accommodate the external wear liner. On new installations, the chute is easily engineered to work with the new liner design, as well as other Martin Engineering components such as dust curtains, trackmounted idlers and cradles.”
Addressing a missing link
Load and haul attachment manufacturer, Schlam, is further developing its global operating model by extending its product range and leadership team, it says.
New products include a broader range of buckets, the introduction of highquality ground engaging tools( GETs) and installation kits for truck beds and buckets.
New products from Schlam include a broader range of buckets, the introduction of high-quality ground engaging tools and installation kits for truck beds and buckets
Schlam’ s expansion follows the successful establishment of production facilities in China and Mexico, which, in addition to Schlam’ s Australian facilities, ensures the company’ s global manufacturing hubs are close to all major markets.
Schlam Chair and Chief Executive Officer, David Haslett, said:“ We’ re responding to customer demand in markets that are relatively new to Schlam to ensure we’ ve got the right teams, resources and products to meet their needs. This results in more comprehensive load and haul solutions for customers globally.”
The range of Barracuda loading attachments is being extended to support all models of machinery over 100 t. In addition to providing buckets for backhoes, wheel loaders and excavators, buckets will be available for face shovels and rope shovels. The introduction of installation kits to support both Hercules and Barracuda bucket deliveries was necessitated by the logistics associated with moving into new markets, the company said.
Haslett said the ability to support every step in the product lifecycle ensures the Schlam team are better able to provide an outstanding experience for customers.“ Within each new region, we have appointed sales and technical service representatives and typically partner with a trusted local fabricator for product assembly and service,” he said.“ Providing tailored installation kits was a missing link in the process between manufacturing and operational support through maintenance, parts and refurbishments. We can now offer a comprehensive, end-to-end solution.”
The new products have been developed in collaboration with affiliates within the USCO ITR Group after Schlam was acquired by the multinational leader in aftermarket
machinery parts in September 2025.
Gaining from GET
Engineered and manufactured by Weir – ESCO division, the Nexsys ® lip and GET system for rope shovel dippers was developed using field data from hundreds of ESCO ® Whisler Plus™ system installations, lab simulation and analysis, and customer input.
This has resulted in an advanced design with substantial performance advantages, including longer service life and reduced maintenance requirements, according to the company.
Chris Johnston, Global Product Manager – Mining Expendables at Weir – ESCO Division, said:“ The ESCO commitment to continuous improvement has driven mining innovation for more than 110 years and the Nexsys system continues that legacy.”
Providing an upgrade to a standard Whisler lip, the Nexsys lip system uses
International Mining | JUNE 2026