Aussie mine boss – a true Australian success story

Australian Pump Industries started 31 years ago in a 60 x 20 metre shed with a huge mezzanine for the office staff.  “It was in my backyard,” said Aussie Pumps’ Warwick Lorenz. We said we would have no more than ten people, but within four months we had 14! These rest is history, but it’s all based on respect for the users of the product, in mines, civil and construction.

WHAT THE MINING INDUSTRY TAUGHT US … TRASH PUMPS

Having birthed ourselves as a business with firefighting pumps, we introduced transfer pumps, mainly Yanmar powered, and ultimately a range of super heavy duty trash pumps that were designed for construction sites! Those same pumps now do a mighty job in piggeries or any kind of emergency effluent pump applications.

AUSSIE INTRODUCES THE CARVER FILTRATE PUMP

This was a complete deviation for us as we only knew Carver based on our experiences with pumps on warship renovation jobs we had been doing. That’s right, Aussie cuts its teeth on the Aussie FFG (Fast Frigate Guided) vessels back 20 years ago. Our Chief Engineer, John Hales, masterminded the rebuilding of the entire fire main on four or five of those great ships.

We met Carver pumps through ANZAC Class Frigates and started to understand just what a great American company Carver is with its excellent quality standards and innovative approach.

THE FILTRATE STORY

What we found was that Carver Filtrate pumps had come into the country as part of complete kits imported by US OEMS. Many of them had been completely misapplied, with the result that they were experiencing premature impeller failures. This was largely based on the abrasive nature of the liquids being pumped.

Hales soon pointed out that the problem was the suitability of the impeller material used to handle the corrosive liquid.

John Hales has done everything from designing bucket wheel excavators to building power stations. He started collecting dead impellers from Carver pumps and found the problem was simple. Instead of using a CD4 material, many of the pumps had been fitted with cast iron impellers.

You can imagine the short life many of these impellers would have. Aussie Pumps now has a complete program to supply spare parts and replacement Carver Filtrate pumps.

“In many cases it’s just the impeller and seal kits that need to be replaced. That meant usually an impeller material upgrade,” said Hales.

TRASH PUMP REVOLUTION

Having been in a Coates Hire yard in Moorebank, Sydney and seeing around 40-50 Aussie Pump 2”, 3” and 4” trash pumps mixed in with other brands, we realised how tough mining and construction sites can be on standard commercial style products. Again, we consulted with Hales who sketched a much more robust but ergonomic design in 38mm 316 stainless steel tube frame.

The new frame, built like a tank, protected the pump and engine, leading to an improved product life and suitability for purpose. Best of all, the new trash pumps, fire pumps and transfer pumps were all fitted with Yanmar electric start air cooled diesel engines.

“That meant simplicity of selection, inter-operationality between types of pumps and a substantially better result all round, in terms of convenience for the operator,” said Hales. “We fitted the units with e-stop, battery isolation, double insulated wiring and integrated fire extinguisher. We didn’t know it at the time but the heavy duty integrated lifting bar in the frame design was convenient for the operator as well as protection. It was an instant success.”

6” TRASH PUMPS THAT WORK

Aussie started expanding the trash pump business with big 6” pumps, powered by either 32 hp Kubota water cooled engine or big Deutz 80 hp air cooled unit. The biggest model, 600TD trash pumps, produces 6,000 litres per minute and is ideal for mining companies wanting to pump contaminated water with ease.

The big 6” pumps come mounted on skids but, in recent times have been built with heavy duty tandem axle trailers, designed for the roughest conditions on any mine site. The big pumps can pass up to 3” spherical solids, have a huge front clean out port that makes service easy and at the same time, provides the long term service advantage of a tungsten titanium oil bath mechanical seal!

“We weren’t interested in cost, we just wanted to start to assemble the best and biggest 6” trash pump on the planet,” said Hales.

THE SOUTH SUDAN EXPERIENCE

This story is now becoming quite legendary. It seems Australian Pump is the only organisation capable of mobilising 26, 6” trash pumps to divert the Nile River in South Sudan. Called on by the United Nations, the fleet of pumps can handle huge volumes of water, diverting it around the city of Juba, instead of through it.

There were some complications in supporting the product, bearing in mind the Civil War taking place there but, we deal with that one step at a time.

AUSSIE MINE BOSS PRESSURE CLEANERS

Using the same logic on our pressure cleaner range, we toughened up the frame design, beefed up the protection equipment and hit the mining market with machines that are designed for the brutality of the industry. We knew nobody picks up a pressure cleaner and carries it anymore or, pushes it around on a mine site. Rather, they lift up the frame with an excavator, take it to where they want it.

We decided to build machines that could tolerate some degree of that, depending on the distance of the drop! They are fitted with fire extinguishers, battery isolation, e-stop, super heavy duty frames and the world’s best triplex pumps, Bertolini.

We chose Bertolini pumps because they’re simply better in terms of feature and have more money thrown at them because the Bertolini team in Italy know that it costs money to build a great product. The pumps last, with manty of them still in service after 20 years in the field. Some are used on exploration drill rigs, even water rigs and blast hole equipment. However, their primary function is keeping plant clean in a way which is productive, cost effective and safe for the operator.

AUSSIE’S SAFE OPERATOR PROGRAM … IT’S FREE!

Aussie’s Safe Operator Program is a huge success. There are hundreds of applicants that do the course and receive their certificates. It’s interesting to note that while others charge for training courses, our courses are absolutely free. It’s only required to be completed once.  It can be carried out between 30-60 minutes.

Aussie feels it’s a way of saying thank you for an industry that guided them through how to build seriously better equipment.

HERE COMES THE JETTER

Aussie Cobra and King Cobra drain cleaning Jetters are already being used in Australia’s leading mines. They have the ability to clear blocked drains, not only in sanitation pipes but also in process pipework as well.

“Putting a 60 metre 3/8 hose up a pipe clearing it with a build up of material inside is a no brainer,” said Hales.

“They aren’t just for unblocking sewer lines, they’re much more versatile than that. Every machine comes with a wash gun kit, making the 5,000 psi machines exceptionally versatile.”

The company is focused on building diesel drive Jetters for mining. They’re a huge success with either Hatz or Kohler diesel engines being the main driver. For smaller machines, below 14hp, Aussie standardised on Yanmar because of their reputation, reliability and the service stations literally in every country in the world. That’s a big thing for our customers.

Aussie’s Mine Boss Jetters come in either Class A or B configuration. We’re finding most mines want to go with Class A units because of the simpler training program and substantially lower cost.

RAPTOR READY

Aussie’s Raptor 500 bar pressure cleaners are Class B. With flows up to 24 litres per minute, these machines are capable of just about anything. Applications include corrosion control and structural paint preparation.

THE AUSSIE STORY

One thing is for sure, this dynamic company is still only in its early stages with a well-trained, enthusiastic team, ready to support the mining industry any way we can.  We know it’s mining that pays the bills in this wonderful country.  Without you, Australia would be relying on our ag mates for our prosperity.

For a start-up company with less than 60 people, it’s amazing what Australian Pump has done. The continual improvement of quality design and capability is a tribute to the design team and the industry that inspires it.

Further information is available from www.aussiepumps.com.au