Keeping Steel Mills Moving
From the medical instruments used to sustain us, to the buildings we work and live in, the cars we drive, and the utensils we eat with, the steel industry contributes to product in every sector of the country. We’re proud to be a part of keeping this life supporting industry moving by renting and maintaining specialized steel mill equipment across the country.
Check out some of the heavy equipment machinery that’s an integral part of keeping steel mills moving:
The first Continuous Transport System Bulk supplied to a customer was in 1999. This replaced multiple heavy-duty tractors and trailers along with the labor support required to operate the trucks. Not only were we able to save our customer significant expense by moving from multiple trucks, trailers and drivers to one single machine with one operator, but we were also able to decrease the carbon footprint by burning significantly less fuel while accomplishing the same or more productivity.
With a modified or purpose-built spreader replacing the container spreader, we hang magnets for slab handling and C-hooks or coil tongs for coil movements. When handling hot slabs, purpose-built slab tongs can withstand temperatures up to 1,100 degrees F are attached. Typical lifting capacity under the lifting device can range from 35 to 50 tons depending on attachment weight and configuration. However, there are manufacturers that are now building Reach Stackers with significantly more lifting capacity. As capacity goes up, maneuverability due to increased wheelbase goes down.
The Pot Carrier is constructed to lift and carry a slag pot designed to the specific capacity of the steel maker’s furnace. It also provides the operator with additional safety features in an effort to further reduce the hazards and to allow for ease of handling and transporting the slag pot to an engineered dumping station.
The prime mover, or tractor, utilizes a scraper design and then updates the operator’s cab with the ability to face in the direction of operation. This improves visibility and increases productivity.
The Straddle Carrier increases productivity for the customer by eliminating the use of flatcars to transport slabs throughout the mill. This asset decreases the number of times the slabs are handled by providing the ability to drive directly over top of the slabs, picking them up, and transporting them directly to the location of the customer’s needs. These machines can also pick and sort through slab piles, selecting specific slabs for their orders, and achieving just in time delivery.
When machines are being used in this kind of harsh environment, it’s also necessary to make modifications to make sure it can stand up to the extreme heat. Electrical wiring harnesses, grease lines, and hydraulic hoses are wrapped in heat-resistant wraps and covering to prevent premature failure and ignition sources. Steel tire chains are used to protect the rubber tires, while at the same time adding weight to the machine for handling the molten slag. A specially-engineered bucket allows the SMA Front-End Loader to easily break-up and handle the molten slag. Rubber and plastic elements typically used in a standard Front-End Loader are removed and replaced with high-heat resistant steel components. Belly-pan guards are added to the underside of the SMA Front-End Loader in order to protect the major components, engine, transmission, and torque convertor from the high-heat element of the molten slag.
