KOMATSU
GET Products Get Tough at Customer Sites around the World
By Akihiko Nishizawa, Komatsu Ltd.
In December 2000, Komatsu acquired Hensley Industries, Inc., the world’s second largest manufacturer of Ground Engaging Tools (GET)*. In the years since, the Komatsu Group has expanded its GET business on a global basis with Hensley at the center. Hensley developed the KMAX/XS systems featuring excellent excavation and abrasion-resistant performance and a patented tooth attachment/detachment mechanism enabling safe exchange. The systems were introduced to the market in 2003, with initial factory installation on Komatsu’s large hydraulic excavators in 2006. Currently, Hensley is promoting further use of the systems in construction and mining equipment. In this issue of Views, we introduce the latest operating status of construction and mining equipment fitted with Hensley’s large GET products, as well as developments in the GET business for large electric rope shovels in Brazil.

* Ground Engaging Tools: Wear parts such as bucket teeth, adaptors, rippers, end bits and cutting edges

Hensley’s XS250 system is being used on the Komatsu PC3000 hydraulic excavator.
Construction and Mining Sites Employing Hensley’s GET Products (XS System)

Muswellbrook Coal Company Ltd, Australia
Hensley’s XS250 system is being used on two Komatsu PC3000 hydraulic excavators in operation at the Muswellbrook Coal Mine in Australia. Although the machines have already logged over 14,000 hours, the extremely reliable XS250 system continues to deliver steady performance. Meanwhile, the corner adaptor, which takes on a heavy burden during excavation, has been replaced with the tough 550XS250 after having been used for more than 10,000 hours. The XS250RC bucket teeth can be used for around 800 to 1,500 hours to remove overburden and coal.

The demanding soil condition often inflicts heavy wear on bucket teeth.
Ashton Coal Operations Limited, Australia
Hensley’s large XS342 GET system is being employed on R994B hydraulic excavators made by Liebherr that are in operation at the Ashton Coal Mine in Australia. The condition of the soil varies widely at this site, ranging from areas with a light burden on equipment to more demanding areas that inflict heavy wear. The XS342RC bucket teeth have been used for roughly 900 hours since the outset and have exhibited excellent results under these grueling conditions. The customer has particularly given high praise to the shape of the wear cap that protects the upper part of the adaptor and the reliability of the pin that fastens the teeth to the adaptor.

Kokosing Construction Company, Inc., West Virginia, U.S.A.
Hensley’s buckets are being used on Komatsu PC2000 hydraulic excavators in operation at a highway construction site run by Kokosing Construction Company, Inc. The midsection of the bucket employs standard XS145RC teeth, and large RP-type teeth normally fitted on wheel loaders are used on the corner sections where the burden is highest. Each part of the bucket features a weld-on, abrasion-resistant material called Laminite® that greatly increases durability. After 3,800 hours of use to date, the PC2000 hasn’t encountered any problems and the customer is extremely satisfied with the performance of both the bucket and GET products.
Features of XS System
Easy Installation

Collaboration with Bucyrus International, Inc. in Brazil
Hensley has concluded a distribution agreement with Bucyrus International, Inc. (BI) regarding GET products for electric rope shovels operating in Brazil, primarily used by Vale, the country’s major customer of mining equipment.

Based on this agreement, BI will install Hensley’s GET products on its electric rope shovels delivered in Brazil, as well as convert equipment used in the aftermarket by installing Hensley’s GET products.

At present, Vale has 29 electric rope shovels operating at 10 mines in Brazil and has ordered another 29 from BI over the next five years. High demand for Hensley’s GET products at iron ore mines is expected to continue.

BI and Hensley have also agreed to expand their alliance in other markets than Brazil. A distribution agreement was concluded in November 2008 regarding GET products for electric rope shovels in Australia, and installation on equipment is already underway.