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Challenges Faced by Hydraulics Machinery Operators

Hydraulic hoses can be a small and often overlooked component on-site, but when they break down, they cause extensive problems.  

It was a story that BOA Hydraulics co-founders Simon and Greg Boakes heard too often. 

Hose blowouts were crippling quarries from New Zealand to isolated locations in Australia, which increased downtime and hindered productivity. According to the company's data, hydraulic hoses for large on-site machinery breakdowns accounted for 37% of all unscheduled breakdowns.  

The brothers were conscious of the challenge and developed an outstanding solution that offered the quarry industry greater control over hose failure situations. 

The BOApod

Introducing the BOApod, a mobile, all-terrain hydraulic hose repair unit. The unique pod is making a mighty impression Down Under as quarries take advantage of its preventative maintenance capabilities. 

Quarry spoke to TCM Quarries maintenance manager Adam Fraser about how the BOApod had transformed their working processes and maintenance plans. 

TCM found that their former supplier of hydraulic hoses took much work to reach or stuck juggling several other clients' demands. This meant the quarry endured lengthy wait times, which disrupted operations.  

Fraser and the TCM Quarries management looked at the data and concluded that the BOApod would benefit their site financially compared to outsourcing hose repairs. 

“We could justify investing in the BOApod quite reasonably so we could have the trailer and do it ourselves,” he said. “Many of our breakdowns were hoses, and now we’re not waiting so long; we can just get it done within the hour and the machines back up. “We’re not having to shuffle machines or move another machine in because one is down. That side of hose repair is good.”   

After past experiences with other suppliers, BOA’s aftersales support has impressed TCM Quarries since the two family-owned businesses collaborated. Fraser said there was usually a day turnaround for standard fittings or two to three days for rarer fittings.   

The company uses BOA’s Hydraulic Hose Management System to manage there stocks within the trailer. The trailer houses a large part cabinets with scannable barcodes, allowing TCM to reorder replacements through the BOAhub app with the touch of a button. 

The speed of supply has been a boost for TCM Quarries to keep its operations ploughing ahead.  

Tallangatta Construction & Maintenance, also known as TCM Quarries, has grown from a simple truck and excavator set-up close to 30 years ago into a highly productive supplier with a fleet of CAT machinery. The business of 12 staff has established a strong reputation as a reliable supplier of materials from its own quarry and earthmoving industry. 

The family-owned business has maintained a mechanically minded attitude to its growing business and workshop, which the BOApod has enhanced. 

BOA Hydraulics offers flexible finance options on the BOApod and ongoing training and support to help ensure quarries can enhance their operations with minimal outlay. 

After years of enduring lengthy wait times for outsourced hose repairs, Fraser recommends the BOApod to everyone.  

“It’s very versatile; anyone can tow it, and you can make hoses when you need; it is just so much easier,” he said. “It’s another piece of the plant that helps the whole business.”  

Read the full story at Quarry Magazine.

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