Multi-frequency alarms address noise pollution

Problem: Baker Rock Resources, an asphalt and aggregate business based in Beaverton, Ore., fields many projects from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). During a night paving job in 2013, due to noise concerns, ODOT asked them to disable the reversing alarms on their trucks in favor of a team of spotters, a move that Baker felt placed its employees at greater risk of injury in the reduced light.

Solution: The company swapped its traditional “beep-beep-beep” reversing alarms with softer Multi-Frequency Alarms (MFA) from ECCO Safety Group. Because their sound dissipates more quickly than pure tone alarms, MFAs are ideal for confined or densely populated work areas.

Result: ODOT approved the use of the alternative sound, and Baker Rock Resources hasn’t fielded a noise complaint since. After the job was completed, Baker began converting its entire fleet of vehicles and equipment from traditional to multi-frequency alarms. 800/635-5900; www.eccolink.com.

Hydraulic submersible trash pump used for cleaning digesters

Problem: A biosolids management company in Canada has employed vacuum trucks for digester clean-out work for nearly 13 years. After years of using noisy and fuel-inefficient trucks and the time spent blowing off each load after sucking it up, the company looked for a better way.

Solution: The company purchased an S6TDI 6-inch vortex impeller submersible trash pump from Hydra-Tech Pumps. The pump has a fully recessed stainless steel impeller and passes large solids, stringy materials and slurries with entrained gases. It delivers output flows to 1,600 gpm, heads to 120 feet and pressure up to 3,000 psi.

Result: Using their existing hydraulic power source, the pump did the job, running continuously 12 hours a day for five months without a breakdown. After months of pumping solids including sand, hair, grease and grit from an 800,000-gallon digester, the impeller needed replacement. The company has since added a second 6-inch and a 4-inch pump to its fleet. 570/645-3779; www.hydra-tech.com.

Bell housing clutch solves maintenance and clutch failure issues

Problem: A company that produces vacuum trucks to recycle de-icing chemicals used at a northern Ohio airport typically used a standard mechanical over-center clutch to activate the vacuum equipment. The single-disc clutch needed to be manually engaged in frigid conditions and required periodic adjustment. When the clutch was engaged in an out-of-adjustment condition, the discs would slip, causing a failure and a major repair.

Solution: Logan Clutch Corporation suggested a two-disc pneumatic clutch as a replacement. The clutch would provide a significant amount of torque and enable the manufacturer to engage the clutch at a lower pressure. It requires no adjustment and can be activated by a push button in the heated cab whenever needed.

Result: The clutch has performed flawlessly since the install in 2009. 440/808-4258; www.loganclutch.com.

Vibration technology improves flow and provides safety

Problem: Vactor Manufacturing is employing engineered vibration technology to improve off-loading of industrial waste from its vacuum loaders, hydroexcavators and sewer cleaners. “In these industrial applications, our customers could be dealing with fly ash, cement, sand, liquids or thick sludge,” says Brett Hart, Vactor product manager. “You might think of these units as giant shop vacs, used when other equipment can’t access a site. Operators can run the hose hundreds of feet to reach difficult locations and remove material.” The debris hoppers have a dump mechanism that rises to a 50-degree angle for off-loading, but often the contents resist emptying.

Solution: Vactor chose Martin Engineering’s Cougar line of vibrators. “The vibrator allows the operator to flip a switch and break the surface tension, quickly evacuating the material,” says Hart. “It reduces off-loading and cleanup time, and also helps avoid the temptation for personnel to intervene in an effort to extract the entire contents.”

Result: Vactor continues to utilize the Cougar vibrators. Martin Engineering recommends several different models to test, depending on the challenge. 800/544-2947; www.martin-eng.com.