Manpower halved and safety increased

With the Christmas-New Year Maintenance Season approaching, many operations and engineering managers are seeking ways to achieve stripping and refurbishment of shaft-mounted machinery more quickly, safely and efficiently.

Such tasks are one of the most common jobs maintenance personnel have to fit into the narrow window of opportunity over this period, when a host of gears, pulleys and other shaft-mounted components must be speedily removed from static and mobile plant, including tracked and wheeled vehicles, rail and materials handling plant and electric motors and gearboxes.

One of the latest solutions to such tasks from Enerpac in Australasia is its new range of Sync Grip Pullers, which feature synchronised movement of their locking jaws for simultaneous engagement and optimised safety. A safety and workplace benefit is that the pullers will even grip on surfaces where normal pullers would slip off – for example, on tapered bearings, says Darryl Lange, Enerpac National Sales Manager.

The new SG-Series Sync Grip Pullers – in mechanical and hydraulic configurations up to 45 tonnes capacity – optimise safety, simplicity and speed of removal of bearings, bushings, gears, sleeves, wheels, fly-wheels, sprockets and other shaft-mounted items.

“These simple, safe, swift and easily applied tools often mean that one worker can do a job that often requires two with other tools,” says Lange. “They do away entirely with outdated heat and impact processes which are not only inherently more hazardous, but which can also damage valuable parts and cause further delay in projects where time is already precious.”

For loads up to 20 tonnes, the SGM-Series mechanical pullers provide an economical and efficient option, with all the same rugged high-strength features as the hydraulic option. For more complex tasks, up to 45 tonnes, the MPS-Series hydraulic pullers offer hydraulically applied pulling force through a detachable hydraulic cylinder, to increase pulling capacity and reduce operator fatigue.

“Their, smooth, simple and safe operation means that, instead of impact hazards created by removal methods using hammers and levers – with risks to both the workpiece and maintenance personnel – Sync Grip Pullers draw parts smoothly and precisely without the need for heating or prying,” said Lange. “Sync Grip Pullers are the latest evolution of Enerpac’s advanced puller technology. Being able to facilitate simultaneous engagement of each jaw adds an additional level of safety and reliability to a very common industrial process.”

FEATURES OF THE NEW RANGES I NCLUDE:

• Maximum reach, mechanical pullers, 105- 600mm spread range 110- 680mm).

• Maximum reach, hydraulic pullers, 320-700mm, spread range 350-980mm.

• Threaded spindle and jaw indexes provide adjustable reach.

• Three jaw configuration for even load distribution, with two-jaw configuration available in mechanical pullers for confined access situations.

• High- strength forged jaws for superior reliability.

• Optional accessories that expand application range and increase utility.

• Hydraulic models are available in standard kits which include detachable hydraulics cylinders and a choice of pump options, along with a gauge assembly and hose for safe monitoring of applied pulling forces.

• Cross- bearing puller sets available to complement Sync Grip technology, featuring quick set up to tackle a variety of jobs and precise hydraulic control for fast, efficient and safe pulling. Available in 6-22 tonne capacities with maximum reach 357- 831mm and 260-580mm in spread range.

• Backed nationally and on-site by the sales, service and technical expertise of the Enerpac distributor network, which has been a market leader in Australasia for more than 50 years.