The kits incorporate Enerpac’s S3000XP and S6000XP hydraulic torque wrenches, complemented by custom-fabricated backing tools to optimise stability when refitting new bolts to the struts – a common maintenance task.

Enerpac national bolting manager Pat Molloy said the kits, which were introduced in response to issues identified by mining company service personnel, addressed any possibility of torque arm slippage occurring when refitting the bolts to the “very widely used” Cat off-highway trucks.

“The kits simplify and make safer this very common maintenance task, reducing setup times for the safe and precise application of high torque values to ensure optimum safety and reliability of maintenance,” Molloy said.

“The time taken for the job can be halved, reducing vehicle downtime.”

The trucks to which the backing kits are applied are among the world’s largest, with load capacities up to 400 tonnes, and most commonly used types in Australasian mining.

The kits’ backing tools are custom-fabricated to fit between the weldments/ribs of each of the three truck types, with each backing tool designed to fit into the position offering the greatest stability, safety and convenience so as to get the job done most efficiently.

Once the backing plate is set in position, the bolts are precision torqued using the power and precision of the Enerpac S3000XP (1in drive) or S6000XP (1.5in drive) torque wrenches, respectively offering 4339Nm and 8144Nm of torque.