To scale back the dangers of shifting scorching slag, OEMs Volvo CE and Liebherr have developed steel-mill wheel loaders specifically tailored for the duty – and within the course of created the most secure most sturdy autos of their class
Wheel loaders are important machines throughout quite a lot of industries due to their adaptability for working with completely different supplies. In metal mill environments, wheel loaders present an important position to maneuver scorching slag. These impurities from metal making are faraway from the furnace for reuse or repurposing into aggregates. Typically likened to lava, this molten slag could be discovered at excessive temperatures as much as round 1,200°C presenting a harmful and high-risk working atmosphere for the automobile and its operator. Because of this, many equipment producers provide steel-mill particular wheel loaders to go well with this excessive software.
“At Liebherr, buyer satisfaction and security are on the forefront of all options. For the work on this atmosphere, security and luxury are the highest priorities for Liebherr wheel loaders. Because of this, there are numerous tools choices that cut back fatigue and allow protected and cozy working,” explains Mark Walcher, product supervisor for XPower heavy tools at Liebherr.
“Liebherr gives preparation for a protecting air flow system that filters particles and gasses and moreover seals the cab”
Driver security
In addition to intense warmth, metal mills could be dusty and produce poisonous fumes that will make it inconceivable for operators to work safely for prolonged intervals of time. To fight this, wheel loaders for warm slag dealing with are outfitted with specifically designed cabs so the motive force can breathe clear air.
“Liebherr gives preparation for a protecting air flow system that filters particles (e.g. soot, asbestos) and gasses and moreover seals the cab,” says Walcher. The driving force can also be protected by ballistic glass and a metal roof to forestall any sparks or splashes from significantly injuring them. Liebherr’s L 550 to L 586 XPower wheel loaders could be specified for slag purposes.
At Volvo CE, its slag loader vary, together with L150H, L180H, L220H, L260H and L350H fashions, could be fitted with a cab filtration system which circulates 90% of cab air by means of a filter. Whereas these options assist to enhance the motive force’s every day job, equipment producers additionally should equip slag handlers to deal with worst-case situation conditions. “An important factor is operator security,” says Erich Kribs, GPE product supervisor at Volvo CE. “If the machine stops within the metal mill, we wish the operator to be within the machine for so long as attainable.” Exiting the machine in these environments is more likely to be extra harmful so Volvo has developed options for its slag handlers to permit the motive force to remain within the cab if the machine breaks down. The driving force is protected with a hearth suppression system and an emergency limp dwelling mode, which permits the operator to maneuver the machine in first gear to offer them a possibility to maneuver to a safer place to get assist.
“If the operator shouldn’t be obtainable or they get sick within the cab, we’ve an engine shut down and parking brake launch on the rear,” says Kribs. This implies the automobile could be moved from the skin with out intervention from the motive force if they’re in issue.
Volvo CE additionally equips its slag loaders with a specialist towing level so one other machine can retrieve the wheel loader by positioning its bucket below the hitch and lifting the again of the automobile to tow it. Ordinarily, two autos can be manually hitched so this eliminates the necessity for an operator to exit their machine.
Within the occasion the motive force does have to exit the automobile, Volvo CE gives an non-compulsory ladder which fits over the rear wheel arch. “Usually if there’s an issue with the machine within the metal mill, the entrance of the machine is standing within the scorching space the place the fabric is. The operator can go away by way of this escape ladder to the rear of the automobile which is more likely to be a safer space,” says Kribs.
Key variations
In comparison with a typical wheel loader, a number of elements on a slag handler should be uprated for this excessive temperature atmosphere. “Because of the difficult working situations, the areas and elements which might be significantly uncovered to excessive situations should be protected accordingly,” says as Walcher. “These embody hydraulic traces, piston rods, cables, underbody, electrical modules, central lubrication system and its traces, plastic elements and discs. Sure areas of the machine are outfitted with an extra protecting operate. Elements which might be product of plastic in standard purposes, for instance, are product of metal on this case to face up to the large warmth.”
A few of these further protections embody metal mudguards, exterior metal mirrors, metal lamp holders, steel-braided hydraulic hoses, tipping cylinder piston rod safety and underbody guards. On prime of this, some inner techniques require using different supplies. Kribs provides, “We’ve a special, fire-resistant hydraulic oil so if a hose cracks, the hydraulic oil won’t begin to burn. Additionally, the grease inside is extra warmth resistant for working in these excessive temperature areas.”
“That is actually what we’d like in particular purposes – working along with clients to get their suggestions and discover the most effective answer for everybody”
The challenges of testing
To verify these variations are appropriate for metal mills, equipment producers should object their machines to in depth excessive temperature testing. Because of the excessive traits of a metal mill, it’s onerous to duplicate these situations in a lab or synthetic setting. “To make sure that the wheel loaders are outfitted for the particular thermal situations, the machines have been examined in sensible use,” says Walcher. “Throughout this time, temperature measurements have been taken in several areas of the wheel loader. Liebherr developed applicable protecting tools based mostly on the information collected.”
Equally, Volvo prefers to conduct real-world testing, as Kribs highlights, “You can’t check one thing like scorching slag within the free subject, it is advisable to go to a metal mill and discover any person who helps you. We’re working with some key account clients who’re joyful that we’re testing with them.”
Buyer suggestions is an important a part of the event course of for brand new attachments and elements, Kribs explains, “We’re testing elements like slag dealing with buckets with clients, we ship elements or attachments, they check it after which say sure or no.” In addition to enter from the client, Volvo CE usually conducts web site visits to measure sure facets of the elements. For a slag bucket, testing focuses on temperature and stress measurements
to analyse longevity and any potential weaknesses within the bucket.
“It’s good to work collectively, that is actually what we’d like in all particular purposes, to work along with the client to get their suggestions and discover out what’s the finest answer for everybody. First, what’s finest for the client, then what’s finest for us,” says Kribs.
Whereas scorching slag purposes may not be the commonest use for wheel loaders, these specialist variations are key in supporting metal mills and conserving operators protected. In excessive temperature environments, the business can’t afford for a machine to be a hearth threat or trigger unplanned downtime. Slag handles are a number of the most strong wheel loaders to allow mills to maintain working across the clock.
This text first appeared in iVT’s 2025 Off-highway Annual.
