Tag: westrac

Westrac centre nears completion

Westrac centre nears completion

THE WesTrac Technology Training Centre in Collie, WA, is close to completion and due to accept its first trainees within weeks. The facility, which is the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, will deliver training courses to technicians and operators of autonomous equipment such as haul trucks used in the mining industry. Announced in January this year and partially funded through the State Government’s Collie Futures Fund, the site near Bluewaters Power Station includes dedicated training facilities and an extensive “calibration pad” used for trialling and fine-tuning autonomous equipment. WA Premier Mark McGowan said the training centre was one of a range of new initiatives designed to secure the future of the town. “The WesTrac Technology Training Centre…

New tech tackles workplace risk

New tech tackles workplace risk

LEADING Caterpillar dealer WesTrac is reducing the need for personnel to work within the footprint of live equipment in up to 90% of common maintenance tasks. The Elimination of Live Work (ELW) project has involved WesTrac staff from across the business identifying technology, tools and work processes that can eliminate safety risks involved with people working in close proximity to live equipment. Initially introduced to WesTrac by a major mining client as part of ongoing safety improvement initiatives, the ELW project has gained industry-wide focus. WesTrac’s Newman Branch Manager James Davey said the aim of the project, which involves a range of mining-focused Original Equipment Manufacturers and service teams, was to eliminate significant risk factors associated with working on heavy…

Hydraulic cylinder repair at WesTrac

Hydraulic cylinder repair at WesTrac

HYDRAULIC cylinders are the powerhouses of modern mining operations. They work tirelessly in the harshest environments for thousands of hours lifting enormous loads and coping with earth shattering impacts. When all is well, these cylinders are seldom given a second thought on a busy mine site, but when they fail, they suddenly become the focus of attention as equipment goes out of operation and expensive downtime builds. Repairing hydraulic cylinders is viable from both a time and a cost perspective, especially when there is the option to drop off a worn cylinder and pick up a repaired one straight off the shelf. WesTrac’s parts exchange system works exactly this way and ensures that their customers are up and running as…

Caterpillar first for Collie

Caterpillar first for Collie

LEADING Caterpillar dealer WesTrac is to build a technology training facility in the WA town of Collie focused on providing courses in autonomous operations. The centre will be the only Caterpillar Autonomous Training Facility in the world apart from Caterpillar’s own testing and training ground in Arizona, USA. The facility will be developed on land owned by Bluewaters Farm Holdings in Collie’s Coolangatta Industrial Estate. The project is supported by a grant through the Collie Futures Fund, awarded to WesTrac by the State Government’s Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation. The announcement was made at a ground-turning event in Collie attended by WA Premier Mark McGowan, Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan, Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray and WesTrac CEO Jarvas…