Stretching caterpillar tracks

Situation

RWE Power AG is the largest power company in Germany. The site in Grevenbroich is completely devoted to the mining of lignite. This takes place in a location with a total area of approximately 115 km².

Challenge

The lignite is dug out of gigantic pits (surface area approximately 15 km², deepest point approximately 250 m) in 3 layers. This keeps 8 enormous machines constantly in operation (24/7). These machines are fitted with caterpillar tracks that must be stretched with great regularity in order to maintain the speed and efficiency of the processing.

Solution

This stretching requires the use of cylinders in combination with a Holmatro vari pump. The vari pump was supplied at the request of RWE in a 500V version and was fitted with a custom-made protective frame that included valves and a filter. The special frame was necessary due to the rough working conditions. 

Vari pumps in the standard Holmatro product range are available in a great many models and with many options: electric, air or petrol driven – single-stage, two-stage for higher operating speeds or twin for the simultaneous operation of 2 tools, different volumes in l/min, different valves for single purpose and/or dual purpose tools. As every situation is different, Holmatro also delivers custom made solutions for specific applications and conditions, such as in this example involving RWE.

Would you like to know more about this project? Contact us via e-mail [email protected] or call +31 (0)162 751500.