Easy to fit and is small and robust
ROY TALLON DEVELOPMENT MINE CAPTAIN, BOLIDEN TARA MINES, NAVAN, MEATH, IRELAND In 2006 we changed our development face jumbo technology from Sandvik- Tamrock to Atlas Copco. We still use a Tamrock AXERA 7 in a different part of the mine, but most of the development drifting is now done with Atlas Copco rocket boomers M2C
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ROY TALLON
DEVELOPMENT MINE CAPTAIN,
BOLIDEN TARA MINES,
NAVAN, MEATH,
IRELAND
In 2006 we changed our development face jumbo technology from Sandvik- Tamrock to Atlas Copco. We still use a Tamrock AXERA 7 in a different part of the mine, but most of the development drifting is now done with Atlas Copco rocket boomers M2C .The change to Atlas Copco was made by the then MD Bert ove Johansson who had worked with Atlas Copco equipment at previous mines which he managed. The M2C rocket boomers incorporate the latest rig control systems and tunnel management systems.
The rock drill on the Atlas Copco differed somewhat from the Tamrock drifters. At the start we had difficulty keeping water box seals intact. The failure of water box seals could result in water contamination of the oil in the rock drill. This could lead to increased down time spent cleaning the oil. Contributory to this was the moderate alkalinity and particulate level in the service water.
An Atlas Copco service engineer on site mentioned to us that he was aware of a product to help with “hard water conditions”. We contacted MCS Systems and they supplied us with a SofterWater Conditioner unit. We at Boliden Tara Mines decided to trial a single unit before fitting out the whole boomer fleet.
The unit was very easy to fit and is small and robust. The unit is maintenance free. The first results were good. We had previously achieved one to two shifts of drilling before changing water box seals. Now with improvements from Atlas Copco and the use of the SofterWater Conditioner unit we can expect to run a full week without a water box change. This suits our weekly planned maintenance of the rocket boomers.
In summary, we have reduced our down time due to water box seal wear and this has had a major impact on running costs. We are currently working with MCS Systems to improve the filtration of the service water. It is also worth noting that the SofterWater Conditioners will increase the life of other components such as water coolers and the condition of water hoses on the drill rig.
Yours sincerely,
ROY TALLON,
DEVELOPMENT MINE CAPTAIN,
BOLIDEN TARA MINES,
NAVAN, MEATH,
IRELAND
In 2006 we changed our development face jumbo technology from Sandvik- Tamrock to Atlas Copco. We still use a Tamrock AXERA 7 in a different part of the mine, but most of the development drifting is now done with Atlas Copco rocket boomers M2C .The change to Atlas Copco was made by the then MD Bert ove Johansson who had worked with Atlas Copco equipment at previous mines which he managed. The M2C rocket boomers incorporate the latest rig control systems and tunnel management systems.
The rock drill on the Atlas Copco differed somewhat from the Tamrock drifters. At the start we had difficulty keeping water box seals intact. The failure of water box seals could result in water contamination of the oil in the rock drill. This could lead to increased down time spent cleaning the oil. Contributory to this was the moderate alkalinity and particulate level in the service water.
An Atlas Copco service engineer on site mentioned to us that he was aware of a product to help with “hard water conditions”. We contacted MCS Systems and they supplied us with a SofterWater Conditioner unit. We at Boliden Tara Mines decided to trial a single unit before fitting out the whole boomer fleet.
The unit was very easy to fit and is small and robust. The unit is maintenance free. The first results were good. We had previously achieved one to two shifts of drilling before changing water box seals. Now with improvements from Atlas Copco and the use of the SofterWater Conditioner unit we can expect to run a full week without a water box change. This suits our weekly planned maintenance of the rocket boomers.
In summary, we have reduced our down time due to water box seal wear and this has had a major impact on running costs. We are currently working with MCS Systems to improve the filtration of the service water. It is also worth noting that the SofterWater Conditioners will increase the life of other components such as water coolers and the condition of water hoses on the drill rig.
Yours sincerely,
ROY TALLON,
Roy Tallon
Development Mine Captain
Lasting up to 7 days!
Atlas Copco L2C30 Underground Development Jumbo A couple of years ago we purchased an Atlas Copco L2C30 Underground development jumbo .This rig was running higher water flow & pressures than we do on any of our other rigs. We started having a lot of dramas with our flushing head seal only lasting two shifts also
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Atlas Copco L2C30 Underground Development Jumbo
A couple of years ago we purchased an Atlas Copco L2C30 Underground development jumbo .This rig was running higher water flow & pressures than we do on any of our other rigs.
We started having a lot of dramas with our flushing head seal only lasting two shifts also a lot of pitting around our shanks this was just the start of our problems. After a few months of use we started failing a lot of water fitting up to two a shift. On close inspection of the fitting it was hollowed out .The quality of the water we were using was basically recycled water out the stope, not ideal but better that some sites.
After hitting the last resort we ended up fitting a 21/2” SofterWater Conditioner unit to the water inlet we honestly did not think it was going to work. After about 3-4 weeks coming back from break was when I noticed the difference. We had stopped doing water fittings & flushing head seals were lasting up to 7 days .
After this we recommended them to another site which fitted one to their rig due to the harsh water conditions.
About 2 months ago we removed the SofterWater Conditioner unit and 1-2 weeks later we started corroding out fittings & have since refitted it.
For our application it worked well I would not have believed it would work until we tested it .I have since recommended it to other people & companies
Regards
Trevor Williamson l Maintenance Training Specialist
Barminco Limited
A couple of years ago we purchased an Atlas Copco L2C30 Underground development jumbo .This rig was running higher water flow & pressures than we do on any of our other rigs.
We started having a lot of dramas with our flushing head seal only lasting two shifts also a lot of pitting around our shanks this was just the start of our problems. After a few months of use we started failing a lot of water fitting up to two a shift. On close inspection of the fitting it was hollowed out .The quality of the water we were using was basically recycled water out the stope, not ideal but better that some sites.
After hitting the last resort we ended up fitting a 21/2” SofterWater Conditioner unit to the water inlet we honestly did not think it was going to work. After about 3-4 weeks coming back from break was when I noticed the difference. We had stopped doing water fittings & flushing head seals were lasting up to 7 days .
After this we recommended them to another site which fitted one to their rig due to the harsh water conditions.
About 2 months ago we removed the SofterWater Conditioner unit and 1-2 weeks later we started corroding out fittings & have since refitted it.
For our application it worked well I would not have believed it would work until we tested it .I have since recommended it to other people & companies
Regards
Trevor Williamson l Maintenance Training Specialist
Barminco Limited
Trevor Williamson
Maintenance Training Specialist
Success on the boomers in Tara mine
Hi Mike, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you as I was away for the last few days and didn’t get time to respond until now as you know in my opinion the SofterWater Conditioner is a success on the boomers in Tara mine as it is has increases the life of the
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Hi Mike,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you as I was away for the last few days and didn’t get time to respond until now as you know in my opinion the SofterWater Conditioner is a success on the boomers in Tara mine as it is has increases the life of the seals to over 50% at least and hopefully this will also protect all the other component’s in the water circuit e.g. (oil cooler and valves).
Best Regards,
Damien Healy
Field Service Engineer Atlas Copco Construction and Mining Ltd, UK & Ireland Visiting
Address: Clonminam Industrial Estate, Portlaoise,
Co.Laois, Ireland
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you as I was away for the last few days and didn’t get time to respond until now as you know in my opinion the SofterWater Conditioner is a success on the boomers in Tara mine as it is has increases the life of the seals to over 50% at least and hopefully this will also protect all the other component’s in the water circuit e.g. (oil cooler and valves).
Best Regards,
Damien Healy
Field Service Engineer Atlas Copco Construction and Mining Ltd, UK & Ireland Visiting
Address: Clonminam Industrial Estate, Portlaoise,
Co.Laois, Ireland
Damien Healy
Field Service Engineer
Proven success with the units
Subject: SofterWater Conditioner T122SS Positive Results Hi Mike I’m putting together a kit for a jumbo and would like to know what the diameter is of the center section of the T122SS SofterWater Conditioner? This is so I can buy the correct clamps? We have proven success with the units, a new rig onsite has
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Subject: SofterWater Conditioner T122SS Positive Results
Hi Mike
I’m putting together a kit for a jumbo and would like to know what the diameter is of the center section of the T122SS SofterWater Conditioner? This is so I can buy the correct clamps?
We have proven success with the units, a new rig onsite has prolonged hydraulic cooler life compared to existing rigs, and the coolers were lasting approximately 4 months whilst the new rig has been onsite longer than 6 months with no overheating issues.
We fit SofterWater Conditioners to all new machines;
Hi Mike
I’m putting together a kit for a jumbo and would like to know what the diameter is of the center section of the T122SS SofterWater Conditioner? This is so I can buy the correct clamps?
We have proven success with the units, a new rig onsite has prolonged hydraulic cooler life compared to existing rigs, and the coolers were lasting approximately 4 months whilst the new rig has been onsite longer than 6 months with no overheating issues.
We fit SofterWater Conditioners to all new machines;
Jumbos – DD421
Solos – DL421 & DL431
Plan to fit more SofterWater Conditioners to the following;
Axera D07 240C and Axera 7 -260C.
Also the Solo 7-15F we run at Telfer.
The water system doesn’t change all that much between the models so it is only a matter of finding a good location to mount the unit.
Cheers
Noah Wilkinson Drill Master – Technical
Byrnecut Australia Pty Ltd
Noah Wilkinson
Drill Master
Impressed with the improvements
To; Sales Manager Company; SofterWater Conditioners From; Graeme Keeler Southland New Zealand Hi, The history of my knowledge of the SofterWater Conditioners are, while employed by Barminco Pty. Ltd in WA from early 97 to Nov 03, I installed the Model 50220 (2”) unit into the water supply line to the camp at Kookynie Resources
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To; Sales Manager
Company; SofterWater Conditioners
From; Graeme Keeler
Southland
New Zealand
Hi,
The history of my knowledge of the SofterWater Conditioners are, while employed by Barminco Pty. Ltd in WA from early 97 to Nov 03, I installed the Model 50220 (2”) unit into the water supply line to the camp at Kookynie Resources Mining Complex to control the problems caused by the calcium in the bore water, which was creating havoc to the water heaters, electric jugs, air conditioners, taps, etc. I installed the unit late 97 so was able to observe its performance and effects until I left in 03.
I was very impressed with the improvements to the components in the system, so impressed, I installed the small unit (Model 1218) into our Motor home, this lead to a greater life span of the anodes in the water heater and stainless water tanks.
I have certifications in Diesel Marine Engineering so have a reasonable understanding of the principals of the SofterWater Conditioner technology.
My interest in your product has been renewed by a news item the other night on TVNZ of a small city in the North Island where they went to a new bore water supply, this has lead to the demise of water heaters, electric jugs, etc, with complaints coming from all over the city, bad enough to make a news item on TV. It was admitted there was calcium in the water, hence my interest, as I am sure your product would undoubtedly rectify these problems.
Yours sincerely
Graeme Keeler.
Company; SofterWater Conditioners
From; Graeme Keeler
Southland
New Zealand
Hi,
The history of my knowledge of the SofterWater Conditioners are, while employed by Barminco Pty. Ltd in WA from early 97 to Nov 03, I installed the Model 50220 (2”) unit into the water supply line to the camp at Kookynie Resources Mining Complex to control the problems caused by the calcium in the bore water, which was creating havoc to the water heaters, electric jugs, air conditioners, taps, etc. I installed the unit late 97 so was able to observe its performance and effects until I left in 03.
I was very impressed with the improvements to the components in the system, so impressed, I installed the small unit (Model 1218) into our Motor home, this lead to a greater life span of the anodes in the water heater and stainless water tanks.
I have certifications in Diesel Marine Engineering so have a reasonable understanding of the principals of the SofterWater Conditioner technology.
My interest in your product has been renewed by a news item the other night on TVNZ of a small city in the North Island where they went to a new bore water supply, this has lead to the demise of water heaters, electric jugs, etc, with complaints coming from all over the city, bad enough to make a news item on TV. It was admitted there was calcium in the water, hence my interest, as I am sure your product would undoubtedly rectify these problems.
Yours sincerely
Graeme Keeler.
Graeme Keeler