The smooth operation of heavy mining machinery depends on small yet crucial components: hydraulic and rotary seals
During Motion’s recent webinar – ‘Seals That Power Heavy Mining Machinery’ – national specialised hydraulic and rotary seal manager Mark Boyle, and specialised hydraulic and rotary technical sales and support David Stoddart, revealed how innovation in seal technology is addressing the challenges of mining’s harsh environments.
The unsung heroes of mining machinery
“Seals may seem insignificant compared to the scale of mining equipment, but their failure can have enormous consequences,” Boyle said in the webinar.
He explained that even a low-cost seal failure could result in costly machine downtime, environmental damage, or significant repair expenses.
Hydraulic and rotary seals prevent the leakage of gases or liquids in mining equipment like haul trucks, dozers, and excavators.
Mark highlighted how seals work in tandem with components such as rod wipers and wear bands to withstand extreme conditions, from abrasive contaminants to high pressures.
“The right seal material can make all the difference,” he added, describing how Motion tailors seals to specific applications using materials like polyurethane, PTFE, and specialised thermoplastics.
Custom solutions for mining demands
A key focus of the webinar was Motion’s customisable seal kits for heavy mining equipment, where Stoddart emphasised their flexibility to meet customer needs.
“Unlike OEM kits, our solutions can be customised to include upgraded materials, additional components, or even redesigned seals to address unique challenges,” he said.
Motion’s seal kits are particularly valuable for large-scale mining equipment.
Case studies demonstrated their reliability, such as a field trial in Indonesia where Motion’s kits surpassed the 14,000-hour operational benchmark.
Tackling downtime with CNC precision
Stoddart introduced Motion’s Interseal division, which manufactures custom seals using advanced CNC machines.
“This capability allows us to deliver seals tailored to the exact specifications of our customers, often in less than 24 hours for urgent breakdowns,” he said.
To read the full article in Motion’s new interactive magazine, please click here.
