The manufacturer has launched a new Diamond Series for its cast-iron SlurryPro mine-duty pumps in an attempt to increase the durability of one of the weaker links in the mining equipment chain.

“Pumps are a headache for any mine but what we’ve done is taken it one step further,” general manager for the pump’s production facility Brad Dormer told MiningNews.net on the AIMEX floor.

“We’ve picked up on what customers were asking for and the mining industry wants tough pumps and this is just tougher than the toughest.

“Even in the most aggressive or severe applications it should hold out better.”

The principle innovation of the Diamond Series SlurryPro – or the “Super Duty” model – is a redesign of the bearings housing, which focuses on heat dissipation to extend the working life of the pump.

The pump shaft and bearings are oversized and include a unique cooling system of fins, which resembles an automobile engine.

It’s the same cooling principle as a car motor coupled with front and rear casings that are 20% heavier than most competitive models.

Dormer says this straightforward upgrade of a primary failure point translates into longer life and less mine site setbacks.

“Some pumps go into applications where the liner wears out in weeks,” he said.

“If it’s lasting six weeks and we can put in a pump that last eight weeks, that’s two more weeks of pain-free time – and X amount of times per year you don’t have to worry about changing it.

“If you improve the environment for the bearing, the bearing lasts longer.”

Technical specifications of the Super Duty SlurryPro include a max flow of 1500cu.m per hour and a maximum 450hp for a standard pump.