BOA Hydraulics is helping the mining industry take complete control of its systems.
Hydraulics are an integral part of a mine’s mobile assets but, as with any other working part, they are subject to failure.
A burst hydraulic hose, for example, will put a machine out of action, having a significant flow-on effect that results in reduced productivity and profitability. High-pressure hydraulic hose lines also come with a safety risk.
Raising safety and reducing downtime
BOA Hydraulics’ hose maintenance and management platform integrates hardware and software to help miners avoid injuries and machine downtime associated with hydraulic hose failures on heavy machinery.
BOA’s integrated approach is built around the BOAhub app and BOApod mobile repair trailer. The platform is designed to deliver speedy, safe hose repairs, while simultaneously providing full document control and legislative compliance.
RS23 compliance delivered
Working with hydraulic systems is a heavily regulated area.
Recognised Standard 23 (RS23) guidelines were rolled out in Queensland in 2021 to improve safety and prevent injury associated with fluid power systems. The standard mirrors legislation in other jurisdictions such as New South Wales.
RS23’s inherent complexity makes maintaining site compliance a challenge. BOAhub offers the advantage of built-in RS23 management functionality across multiple devices.
Paperless hydraulic system management
BOAhub helps to free miners to manage hydraulic systems across quality control, maintenance history, asset-tracking, and automated inventory management.
This helps to ensure hydraulic systems are maintained to a high standard, backed by a secure digital record to ensure RS23 and other relevant regulatory compliance.
“BOAhub eliminates paperwork hassles and compliance concerns,” BOA Hydraulics told Safe to Work. “From document control to compliance-tracking, BOAhub offers unparalleled transparency to stakeholders, all while cutting admin time.
“Our platform instils a culture of accountability, safeguarding critical data for future reference at every touchpoint.”
Anytime, anywhere hydraulic hose repairs
The BOApod is an all-weather, all-terrain mobile unit that enables users to assemble hydraulic hoses on the go, adhering to original equipment manufacturer specifications applied in manufacturing facilities.
The towable BOApod streamlines repair of hydraulic hoses by enabling vehicles to be serviced in the field.
Delivered to mine specifications, this mobile unit is made for the tough resources landscape. The unit houses precision crimping and cutting machinery, along with all the matched hoses and fittings and all the tools necessary to get the job done.
“The BOApod is known for its ease of use, built with the operator in mind,” BOA said.
“The state-of-the-art hose reel system, which uses a safe remote hose handling system, ensures easy hose management on-site. This also has the added benefit of reducing the risk of injuries associated with manual handling.”
“This smart trailer is fully integrated with the BOAhub software platform, allowing automatic inventory management. Every product within the trailer has a barcoded location, which allows operators to simply scan the barcode to reorder or to add to a job card.”
The mobile BOApod unit can be backed up by the BOA Workshop, a support container set-up with an extensive range of stock tailored to the hydraulic machinery that technicians service on-site.
This unit replenishes the BOApod’s on-board stock and contains a hose-testing facility to carry out on-site pressure testing for RS23 compliance.
Premium hydraulic hose and fittings
BOA Hydraulics has gone to great lengths to source premium hose and fitting brands.
“We know how important products that are superior in performance and service life are when working in high-pressure environments,” BOA Hydraulics said.
“All our hose brands meet ISO standards and are compliant with mine specifications.”
The company sources its hoses from its partner Yokohama, which has its own rigorous approach to quality assurance.
“Yokohama has a proven long-life and high-durability hose,” BOA said.
“These hoses are tested using the rigorous Hitachi and Komatsu spike-testing method.
“This method uses a higher-pressure cycle than standard testing – at 1.2 million impulses compared with standard testing of 400,000–500,000 impulses.”
The end result is a hydraulic hose that’s made for mining conditions.
Made for mining
BOA Hydraulics’ fittings are of a similar calibre, meeting all relevant Australian and international quality standards.
“Our products are tested by reputable third-party certifiers,” BOA said.
“And our warranty claim rate is less than 0.03 per cent, so mines can be sure our products are built to last.”
The company supplies its products from strategically located distribution centres, including in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne.
Hydraulic systems help keep the wheels of industry turning, but tough mining conditions can wear these components down, potentially leading to issues such as equipment failure, injuries, and even fire.
BOA Hydraulics is simplifying hydraulic system management on all fronts, delivering high-quality hose and fittings, a mobile
This feature also appears in the July-August issue of Safe to Work.