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Case Studies - MagnaDrive saves Plant Feed Conveyor

 

Figure 1 - Plant Feed Conveyor
Figure 1 - Plant Feed Conveyor

Market: Mining/Materials Handling

Site: South Walker Creek Coal

Asset: Plant Feed Conveyor
Power: 45 kW Drive
Output: 800 Tonne/Hour
MagnaDrive Coupling: MGD 16/125
Site Contact: Troy Martin - CHPP Superintendent

 

1.0 Situation

On the 4th of November 2007, the plant feed conveyor failed to start after the operator attempted to restart operations following a plant stoppage.
When investigating the reason for the failed start it was noted that the motor would run but there was no output from the MagnaDrive coupling to the drive gearbox.

 

Figure 3 - Feed Chute Figure 3 - Feed Chute
Figure 2 - MagnaDrive Coupling Figure 2 - MagnaDrive Couplin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0 Findings

Figure 4 - Tail End View of Plant Feed Conveyor
Figure 4 - Tail End View of Plant Feed Conveyor

An inspection of the belt around the tail end revealed a build up of coal around a wooden surveyor’s peg which had jammed between the bottom of the feed chute and the belt. This was enough resistance to exceed the starting factor of the MagnaDrive coupling, thus preventing the belt from starting.

 

3.0 Resulting Action

The belt was isolated and the peg removed, allowing the belt to start and run to full speed.

 

4.0 Benefit of MagnaDrive Couplings

In a stall or overloaded situation, the starting torque of the belt exceeds the designed service factor of the drive and the MagnaDrive coupling disengages immediately protecting the system from further damage. With a conventional fluid coupling, torque is applied to the belt for some time until the fusible plug or motor thermal overload can disconnect the load.

 

Low torque transfer during stalled conditions is just one of the many benefits of MagnaDrive couplings.