Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited has successfully rejuvenated a Bucket Wheel Excavator 1571 which has been in service for the past 28 years. Shri Sarat Kumar Acharya , CMD NLC, commissioned the machinery at the Specialized Mining Equipment (SME) Erection Yard of Mine-I,Neyveli .
The 700L Bucket Wheel Excavator 1571, (BWE) supplied by erstwhile M/S Krupp Germany (presently Thyssen Krupp Industrial Solutions, (TKIS) Germany) was commissioned on 26.12.1988. The BWE had completed 28 years of life with 1,35,843 total working hours in the excavation of overburden/Lignite. To extend the life of the BWE further, the Rejuvenation programme was taken up with the assistance of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) M/s. TKIS, Germany at a cost of Rs.45.75 Crores.
During Major Overhaul, major repair, replacements, reconditioning and modifications were carried out. the Mechanical and Electrical parts were strengthened and worn out parts were replaced as required. The old Bucket Wheel was replaced with the New Bucket Wheel with 14 buckets without pre cutters and 2 nos of 5000 Litre Capacity Water tanks were introduced for Firefighting system. The dismantling, re-conditioning and re-erection of the complete BWE has been completed within the period of 9 months 23 days (11.07.2015 to 03.05.2016) against the scheduled period of 13 months.
In a simple function held at the SME Erection Yard of Mine-I Shri Sarat Kumar Acharya , CMD NLC, commissioned the machinery and in his informal speech he said that, management intends to introduce appropriate Technology according to the need, he added,.
Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director (Finance) and Shri Subir Das, Director (Mines),Shri V.Thangapandian, Director(Power) and Shri P.Selvakumar ,Director (Planning&Projects) of NLC Limited graced the occasion. Also, senior officials, employees, Representatives of Trade Unions and Associations participated in the programme.