Ladle Car Upgrade

Project Details:

Total Value:     $90 000
Year Completed:    2010
Duration:     3 months

Background:

At a manufacturing facility, a non-motorized ladle car was utilized to transport ladles across the plant for storage and cleaning. With a laden mass of up to 60 tons, the car was propelled by a steel cable manually wrapped around a gearbox shaft by the operator. This method resulted in slow movement due to cable slippage and posed a significant tripping hazard when the car was positioned farthest from the gearbox, as the cable extended across the path. MKDesigns was engaged to motorize the ladle car, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Description:

The ladle car was retrofitted with an onboard gearbox, an electric motor, and a battery bank to enable wireless operation between designated points. A docking station was installed to facilitate battery charging. Operators controlled the car using a wireless crane remote control system. To integrate the new drive system, on-site machining was performed to install a drive gear on the ladle car axle shaft.

This upgrade eliminated the safety hazards associated with the manual cable system, improved operational efficiency, and provided a reliable, user-friendly solution for ladle transportation.