NEW ENERPAC LOW-HEIGHT
SKIDDING SYSTEM MOVES HEAVY
LOADS IN TIGHT SPACES
Global hydraulics and heavy lifting technology
specialists Enerpac is introducing to Australasia
a new low-height skidding system – which
stands at just 92mm with the track – for the
accurate positioning of heavy loads in tight and
awkward spaces.
The new Enerpac LH-Series low-height
skidding system is a modular track system that
can jack and slide heavy loads, such as transformers,
generators, motors or drives, over a
pre-constructed track.
“Skidding systems are ideally suited to tight
spaces where cranes aren’t able to access
the load effectively. The new low-height
system takes this one step further by using
a rigid, durable design that can access even
tighter spaces, while still providing high lifting
capacities,” says Warren Baltineshter, mining
and heavy lifting technology manager, Enerpac
Australia.
“Skidding systems are typically 200-600mm
high, which is still an enormous advantage
when cranes can’t access a lift site, but the
Low-Height system, at just 92mm, opens up
possibilities in even tighter, more compact
applications,” he says.
The low-height skidding system comprises
a series of skid beams moved by hydraulic
push-pull units, travelling over a pre-constructed
track. A series of special PTFE-coated pads
are placed on the skid tracks to reduce friction.
The push-pull units are powered by a standard
Enerpac split flow pump to ensure each skid
beam travels synchronously.
“When using two skidding units together, the
maximum capacity is 3,560 kN of force, which
can lift 400 tons, utilising 700 bar (10,000 PSI)
hydraulic pressure,” says Mr Baltineshter.
The low-height skidding system has a push-pull
stroke of 600 mm and is designed to easily
change skidding direction, using Enerpac’s
globally proven hydraulic pumps and cylinders.
Customised solutions can be implemented for
complex projects, such as utilising optional
track support and connecting both power
units together to provide synchronous travel
of the load. Such a configuration would be
used in applications like transformer outage
maintenance.
In addition to its low height, this system offers
a 2-in-1 design. It can be used either on a
fully supported surface or combined with the
optional track support for added rigidity when
the support surface is not fully supported
or when spanning a gap is necessary. This
two-part design means operators do not need
to own two sets of tracks for various ground
support conditions.
Enerpac is providing wold-class support and
product training with the introduction of the
low-height skidding system, as part of its global
“Goal Zero” initiative, which aims to achieve
zero harm to its employees, customers and
end-users of its products.
“Safety training is one way we can teach
operators how to use our powerful but
precise technologies safely and efficiently.
We appreciate that our customers are always
busy, so we can even come out and train them
on-site to save time,” says Mr Baltineshter.
Enerpac adheres to the highest quality
standards and maintains rigid quality assurance
manufacturing processes, which are backed
by experienced staff in 28 facilities across 22
countries.
precious shared resource and where there may
be water quality issues.
“The challenge for this project was the remote
location. The FAST system is the perfect solution
for projects like this, because it can be built into
standard shipping containers,” he says.
“The plant arrives on site essentially as a
complete system requiring only a concrete
pad and some relatively minor mechanical and
electrical works. Class A effluent is achieved by
the addition of a filter and UV sterilisation after the
FAST system.”
One FAST system
is used for
the plant
workshop,
which has a
maximum daily flow of 110m3.
A second system is installed at the village,
for the camp and accommodation block, which
has a maximum daily flow of 345m3.
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