Background:
Hindon serves one of the world’s largest agricultural processing companies, with annual sales exceeding $60 billion and a widespread international processing and distribution network.
At the customer’s Southeastern U.S. facility on the Mississippi River, barges are loaded with processed grain using barge haul winches. The winches’ existing braking systems, utilizing a competitor’s electrohydraulic brake for emergency and holding functions, exhibited operational deficiencies due to persistent seal failures. This resulted in frequent maintenance expenditures, repairs, and operational downtime.
In search of a more reliable braking solution, the customer approached Hindon regarding upgrades to the braking systems on the barge haul winches. The company requested that the new system use an electromagnetic brake and was interested in a braking system overhaul that would minimize the need for maintenance in the demanding marine environment.
A Mississippi River port active with barges and ships.
Application Challenges:
- Retrofit application with desire for a bolt-in replacement and reuse of existing brake wheels
- Demanding operating conditions including marine environment with ambient temperatures exceeding 100°F
Solution:
After understanding the customer’s requirements for the new barge haul winch braking system, Hindon designed and supplied a bolt-in replacement electromagnetic drum braking system featuring an economical, lift-off, drip proof enclosure.
The new electromagnetic drum braking system was equipped with automatic wear adjustment, a limit switch to indicate “brake released,” and a field-mounted control panel complete with an enclosure. The drip-proof enclosure provided the system with full protection against the harsh and varied environmental conditions seen on the Mississippi River.
This precisely engineered braking system yielded the ideal solution for the customer, proven to be robust, reliable, and virtually maintenance free. Commissioning Hindon’s new braking system was simple and painless due to its design as a bolt-in replacement and the ability to reuse the customer’s existing brake wheel. After the project’s proven success, the customer continues to replace their failing thruster brakes with Hindon’s electromagnetic braking system.