Nivek Industries’ Tracked Elevating Device is transforming mining maintenance by eliminating heavy lifting and reducing dangerous worker fatigue.
Machinery maintenance in the mining and heavy industry sectors has long carried something of a dangerous paradox. While the goal is to keep equipment running safely, the actual process of maintaining these massive machines often poses a risk in itself.
Providing a safer approach to maintenance has always been a core focus for Nivek Industries. The idea first sparked when Hunter Valley local Kevin Cant, working as a heavy plant mechanic in a nearby mine, found himself removing a belly pan and thought, “there must be a better way”.
Enter the Tracked Elevating Device (TED), which in 2011 changed the way earthmoving machinery was maintained and refurbished by offering a safer, more practical approach to field maintenance – driven largely by its off-road, all-terrain capability. Designed as a mobile, remote-controlled mechanical assistant, TED’s low-profile tracked design allows it to move through the tight undercarriages of earthmoving machinery and support the weight of heavy components, enabling fitters to work more safely and efficiently.
TED has continued to evolve through the development of versatile attachments, expanding its capabilities to support an even wider range of maintenance tasks. Nivek’s innovations are guided by the first-hand experiences of the end users who rely on the system daily, ensuring each enhancement meets the practical demands of the field.
Nivek has actively partnered with major mining companies to develop bespoke attachments that streamline niche maintenance tasks. Recent collaborative innovations include the T264 Steer Cylinder Cradle for precise manoeuvring of heavy cylinders; the A-frame Pin Tool for simplifying complex pin removals; and the Dana Axle Cradle, which enables safer removal and installation of axles.
“All these attachments mount onto the TED and are used to support and move the various components to allow for safer and efficient removal and installation,” Cant said.
These innovations are just a few examples of how Nivek listens to its end users and translates their feedback into practical solutions. By continually refining TED and its attachments in response to real-world experiences, the company ensures every enhancement meets the demands of maintenance teams in the field.
“It’s incredibly valuable to us to have so much feedback from engineers, fitters and safety personnel, the people who will ultimately be using the system,” Cant said.
“This gives us the parameters to work within and get the design right straight up, meeting some pretty tough criteria.”
This ongoing feedback has driven Nivek to expand its portfolio, introducing complementary products that cover an even wider range of maintenance scenarios. The portfolio now includes Big TED, an evolution of the original design with a massive 3000kg lift capacity for bulky components; the LA range of lift assist arms, including the LA-40, providing targeted solutions for precise lifting tasks; and the BOB (Beast of Burden) range of tracked carriers, capable of transporting loads of up to 5000kg safely and efficiently over longer distances.
Perhaps Nivek’s greatest strength, Cant explained, is its refusal to view any product as a single-purpose machine. Every Nivek product is engineered with an adaptable base, ready to be configured or upgraded to tackle real-world maintenance challenges. This dedication to flexibility ensures Nivek products evolve with their users, delivering solutions that keep teams safer, faster and more efficient.
Looking ahead, Nivek is preparing to meet the increasingly complex requirements of modern maintenance.
“For the next phase of the business, we aim to enhance the versatility of our attachment line-up,” Cant said. “At their core, our products are tracked power units that deliver value through adaptability.
“We are also aiming to finalise our product range so that we can provide a solution for any niche maintenance task without needing to develop a whole new machine. Often, a new bracket or cradle is all that is required.
“As industry safety standards continue to rise, Nivek’s evolution from a single lifting device to a comprehensive ecosystem of powered tools is something we’re extremely proud of.”
Through these initiatives, Nivek demonstrates its commitment to innovation, safety and efficiency, delivering adaptable solutions that evolve with the needs of the maintenance teams.
This feature appeared in the January-February edition of Safe to Work.