JUAN VAN WYK The US is a significant market for earthmoving equipment
South Africa-based high- performance polymer producer Vesconite Bearings is promoting the use of its thermoplastic bushings in various types of earthmoving equipment, including load, haul and dump equipment; backhoe loaders; excavators; wheel loaders; articulating dump trucks; graders and crawlers.
This drive is being spearheaded by newly appointed Vesconite Bearings earthmoving representative Juan van Wyk, who says the company is expecting considerable growth from the construction sector, with significant growth in new infrastructure development and renovation. “The surface mining sector is also expected to support earthmoving equipment industry growth.”
He says the US, in particular, is a significant market for earthmoving equipment and is expected to show impressive growth in the coming five years.
Therefore, the company arranged a roadshow to US earthmoving customers last month, where Van Wyk discussed the development of custom components for specific machines and manufacturers.
Vesconite explains that the design of a particular component typically involves defining the problem, undertaking background research, specifying requirements, brainstorming solutions, performing development work, building a prototype, testing and analysing the results, and possibly redesigning the component, if necessary.
This approach, together with a partnering between Vesconite and earthmoving original-equipment users and manufacturers, Van Wyk highlights, should see the optimising of components and could result in improved efficiency, weight savings and longer component guarantees, among other potential benefits.
Vesconite’s products have been developed and proven in many industrial applications and the bushing material is widely used where high loads must be carried with small clearances, including on pivot and articulation points.
He concludes that the thermoplastic bushing is suited to mitigate the challenges of harsh earthmoving environments, with Vesconite bearings offering various advantages, including the elimination of greasing and downtime, as well as the extension of the life of shafts and mating pins.