WesTrac and Hushpak deliver sound results for Bloomfield

Hunter Valley-based mining business, The Bloomfield Group, often needs customised solutions on its machinery to keep noise levels low at its mines located close to townships, and Caterpillar dealer, Westrac, has just the solution for the company.

WesTrac was tasked with reducing the noise of Bloomfield's Cat 793F trucks to levels that align with its requirements at its Bloomfield and Rix’s Creek mines – located in close proximity to Maitland and Singleton respectively.

According to WesTrac NSW Strategic Growth Manager, Alan Corcoran, the company was able to help Bloomfield achieve its goal on time and within budget utilising a combination of Caterpillar factory options and in-house, customised solutions.

“Working with our subsidiary Hushpak, we devised a solution that passed the sound output tests in the first instance,” he said.

Hushpak is a standalone engineering business specialising in sound suppression and attenuation on both mobile and fixed plant.

“Sound comes from various outputs, particularly on mobile plant,” Corcoran explained.

“The engine, transmission, fan, hydraulic pumps and various other components compound to make these large machines quite noisy.

“Caterpillar offer ready-to-order sound suppression kits for mining machines, but in some cases, there are gaps in the product offering. Many of our customers have unique needs, especially in areas like the Hunter Valley, where mine sites are in closer proximity to towns and residential areas.

“These customers have additional requirements that need further sound suppression. Meeting these unique needs, on all types of mining equipment, such as this customer’s 793F trucks, led to this project to bridge the gap.”

Such is the case for Bloomfield, which produces around two and a half million tonnes of saleable coal annually from its mines in NSW. All its haulage and ancillary machinery fleet are Cat products.

Following extensive market research carried out in 2020, Bloomfield Plant and Equipment Manager, David Worboys and his broader team settled on the 220-tonne class Caterpillar 793F Large Mining Truck and have since taken delivery of 19 units from WesTrac’s Tomago branch, now working at Rix’s Creek and Bloomfield Mine.

WesTrac’s equipment specialists and engineers worked with Hushpak and Bloomfield to develop a customised solution for the 793F that took airflow, weld locations, centre of gravity, visibility and access for maintenance into consideration.

On completion of the first 793F fit out, WesTrac engaged an independent tester to assess the noise output. Testing was carried out at WesTrac’s NSW headquarters in Tomago.

Following delivery of the first two trucks to site, WesTrac and Hushpak continued to work with Bloomfield to administer minor adjustments that have been carried through to other trucks delivered.

“Through collaboration, using expertise from us on site and working with WesTrac and Hushpak to come up with solutions introduced into the sound attenuation package has ultimately delivered a great product,” Worboys said.

He added all trucks fitted out with the Hushpak engineered sound attenuation package continually comply with site noise requirements, minimising impact to nearby communities.

“We pride ourselves on being good neighbours, and therefore we make every effort to minimise the noise impacts on them. We use engineering best practice where we can, to achieve as high sound output reduction as we can,” he said.

“These 793Fs are a 20-year investment for our business and are setting the foundation for our haulage fleet moving forward.”