WesTrac and its subsidiary Hushpak have delivered a sound suppression solution to The Bloomfield Group that has reduced the noise output of 19 Cat 793F large mining trucks
Managing the sound output from heavy machinery can be a challenging task on mine sites, large construction or earthmoving projects – but this is starting to become easier thanks to Westrac and Hushpak.
Over the last two years, Caterpillar dealer WesTrac has delivered 19 Cat 793F large mining trucks to Hunter Valley-based mining business The Bloomfield Group, for use at its Bloomfield and Rix’s Creek mines – located near Maitland and Singleton.
WesTrac was then tasked with reducing the noise of the Cat 793F trucks, turning to its subsidiary Hushpak, which provides sound suppression solutions for various types of fixed plant such as crushers and power screens, as well as all brands of mobile equipment.
WesTrac NSW strategic growth manager Alan Corcoran says the project was completed on time, within budget and included several customisations.
“Working with our subsidiary Hushpak, we devised a solution that passed the sound output tests in the first instance,” Corcoran says.
“The engine, transmission, fan, hydraulic pumps and various other components compound to make these large machines quite noisy.
“Caterpillar offer ready-to-order sound suppression kits for mining machines, but in some cases, there are gaps in the product offering.”
For The Bloomfield Group, which has mine sites near to towns and residential areas, it has to maintain stricter noise levels to avoid disturbance to these communities.
“For Bloomfield, which produces around two and a half million tonnes of saleable coal annually from its mines in NSW, where all haulage and ancillary machinery fleet are Cat products, meeting these unique needs… led to this project to bridge the gap,” Corcoran adds.
Bloomfield plant and equipment manager David Worboys says the Hushpak sound attenuation package was contributing to ongoing site noise compliance and minimising impact to nearby communities.
“We pride ourselves on being good neighbours, and therefore we make every effort to minimise the noise impacts on them. We use engineering best practice where we can, to achieve as high sound output reduction as we can,” he says.
“These 793Fs are a 20-year investment for our business and are setting the foundation for our haulage fleet moving forward.”
WesTrac’s equipment specialists and engineers worked with Hushpak and Bloomfield to develop a customised solution for the 793F that took airflow, weld locations, centre of gravity, visibility and access for maintenance into consideration.
On completion of the first 793F fit-out, WesTrac engaged an independent tester to assess the noise output.
Following delivery of the first two trucks to site, WesTrac and Hushpak continued to work with Bloomfield to administer minor adjustments that carried through to other trucks delivered.
“Through collaboration, using expertise from us on site and working with WesTrac and Hushpak to come up with solutions introduced into the sound attenuation package has ultimately delivered a great product,” Worboys says.