WorldWide Drilling Resource

20 NOVEMBER 2013 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Routine Maintenance and Remanufactured Airends Pay Off Part 1 by Marc James, Aftermarket Sales & Marketing Manager, Doosan Portable Power Airends in your drill or air compressor are precision components that ensure efficiency and success on the jobsite. Airends can spin as fast as 4900 rpm with less clearance than the width of a human hair. Such precise equipment demands great attention. Diligent airend maintenance will save you time and money by preventing expensive replace- ments and long periods of downtime. Airends play an incredibly important role at drilling sites. They compress air used to clean aggregate and debris out of the hole during drilling, and provide the energy required to activate the downhole hammer in downhole drilling. Any buildup of foreign matter such as dirt, rust, or other contaminants can create airend malfunc- tions because of the high speeds involved. Due to the exactness of their mecha- nisms and important role airends play, they are one of the most costly compo- nents to replace. However, if maintained properly, an airend can last as long, if not longer, than the life of the machine in which it is installed. How can you maximize the lifespan of your airend and prevent airend mal- functions on the job before they happen? 1. Read the machine manual. Be- come familiar with proper operation, maintenance, safety precautions, tips to improve performance, and who to contact for assistance. 2. Purchase parts from a reputable and qualified dealer. They are expert- ly trained by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in maintenance and troubleshooting. The manufac- turer has tested the airend using original filters and fluids. Using OEM approved consumables in the ma- chine can all but eliminate the pos- sibility of an untimely breakdown. 3. Conduct routine maintenance per manufacturer’s recommended sched- ule. Preventive maintenance is vital for efficient operation and longevity. Think of an airend as you would your heart. A poor diet high in cholesterol can block arteries and lead to a heart attack - the same can be said for an airend. If dirt and other contaminants routinely flow through the system, it will lead to premature wear. a. Use high-quality primary and secondary air filters, visually check hoses for signs of deteri- oration, check connections for leaks and make sure the pre- cleaner is free of debris. b. Periodic oil sampling can iden- tify foreign matter in the lubrica- tion system. If found, you can flush the system to remove it. c. Always follow the manufac- turer’s recommended routine maintenance schedule. Some manufacturers offer no-charge or low-cost extended airend warranties for using OEM con- sumables and fol lowing the recommended maintenance schedule. 4. Use a high-quality separator ele- ment. It separates most of the oil from the compressed air before it exits the system into the discharge lines. The separator element must be able to withstand the extreme pressures of the system and be fine enough to remove the atomized oil, while allow- ing compressed air to pass through. If maintenance and repairs can no longer remedy your airend’s afflictions, you can either purchase a new airend or a remanufactured airend. We will discuss those options next month. 4< /*2'3* "& > > > > ,'< ? /2+ '6* /3+6 /3+6 ')1/3- " " !8=2+ /7843 4* 4* ')1/3- !+8 5)7 !8'3*'6* $'2:+ 9((+6 6':+2 $'2:+ 9((+6 !+'87 9((+6 $'2:+ 37+687 #6+8.'3+ $'2:+ 37+687 $'2:+ !56/3- ! ! $'2:+ 4:+6 '71+8 ? !;/:+2 ')1/3- ? !+6/+7 ? !+6/+7 ? !+6/+7 ? !+6/+7 ? !+6/+7 ? !+6/+7 < /3+6 < /3+6 < /3+6 < /3+6 < /3+6 6/)+7 !9(0+)8 "4 .'3-+ %/8.498 48/)+ !@ @ < < < < < Learn about mining in North Carolina when Mining in the USA Part 17 continues next month! Introducing a New Tier 4 Hydraulic Drill Rig Adapted from a Press Release by Kelly Tractor Company Kelly Tractor Company of Miami, Florida, a leading provider of construc- tion equipment throughout the United States and Canada, recently introduced the new A125 drill rig to North America. Built in collaboration with IMT and Caterpillar OEM Solutions Group, the pioneering redesign enables the Tier 4 rig to lay flat for single load transport. Unveiled at bauma 2013 in Munich, Germany, the innovative A125, and larg- er A350 model, were welcomed with interest and enthusiasm. “We listened to our customers,” said Bruce Budd, man- ager for the Crane and Foundation Group of Kelly Tractor Co. “This Tier 4 design is exactly what contractors have been ask- ing for to reduce transportation costs.” The company plans to introduce the new Tier 4 A150 drill rig later this year.