Dodging downtime with Dodge Industrial - Quarry

Nov 12, 2024

Find out how US-based Dodge Industrial offers solutions for quarry customers instead of just products.

Dodge Industrial produces high-quality mechanical power transmission equipment – but the company is more than just a supplier.

Halden Engela, division manager at Dodge Industrial Australia, said the company is focused on being a solutions provider.

“We believe in using our products to address problems,” he told Quarry. “We’re not just there to be another supplier.”

“Our products are developed with the customer in mind, trying to address particular problems – be it shaft attachment, incorrect bearing setups, bearing lifespan, and more.”

Dodge has extensive experience solving customer problems. Wallace Dodge founded the company in 1878 to produce wagon jacks and split wood pulleys. Since then, the company has grown significantly, expanding into the Australian market around 30 years ago through a distribution network.

In Australia, the company targets bulk material handling industries in heavy, hardworking environments such as quarrying, grain handling and mining.

Engela said the company’s range of products was designed for these industries.

“In the US, we are industry leaders in those segments, and we cater our product profile locally to suit those markets,” he said.

“In terms of our full range, our scope is narrow, but it’s geared towards these markets, both in the product itself and the depth of support for those markets.”

Dodge maintains patented designs for many of its products, including unique shaft attachment methods for its gearboxes.

Both its belt-driven Torque-Arm II (TAII) and Motorised Torque-Arm (MTA) have a twin-tapered bushing system that addresses one of the biggest issues its customers faced.

Most shaft-mounted gearboxes are attached to the driven shaft with a straight bore mounting system, which is not easily removed.

The twin-tapered bushing system allows Dodge units to be easily installed and removed, reducing downtime.

Some of the most popular products in Australia also include a US-manufactured conveyor drum pulley, which is stocked and supported locally, and the Raptor elastomeric split-tire coupling that comes with a five-year warranty.

Engela said Dodge’s solutions-centric approach is also seen in its ISN mounted spherical roller bearings.

ISN mounted bearings are a drop-in replacement for SN style bearings, engineered with a patented tapered adapter for easier, faster installation and removal without damaging the shaft. Unlike SN bearings, each ISN bearing arrives completely assembled and pre-lubricated to be shaft-ready out of the box.

“ISN bearings were developed to address issues where customers had an incorrect bearing set up and addressing the life of a bearing,” he said.

“Some of these challenges boil down to lubrication, set up, sealing of the unit, so when the products were in development, Dodge addressed how to keep the bearing clean.

“They developed a unitised bearing so the internal elements aren’t exposed to the dirt and environment which can be very abrasive for these kinds of products.”

Dodge also offers a Trident triple-lip “combination seal,” which is a labyrinth and contact seal that extends the life of its bearings. The rubber used for this was specifically designed and has been incorporated into several other key products.

This method of finding improvements, incorporating them across product lines and enhancing the customer experience is how Dodge positions itself as a partner for quarries instead of just being a supplier.

“Dodge has been on the forefront of many technological developments,” Engela said.

“We have developed advanced Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) compatible sensors to monitor the performance of our equipment, and to obtain data that gives users the ability to conduct condition monitoring.

“That allows us to support our customers, preventing failures by providing real-time information for preventative maintenance.”

In 2021, the company established itself in Australia with the introduction of Dodge Industrial Australia.

It has representation across Victoria, Queensland, NSW, WA, and SA and a hub in Melbourne, which houses a wide range of inventory and provides technical support.

Engela said the company still believes strongly in the distribution model and has been looking at distribution partners to ensure its specialised team can support the wide footprint of its customer base.

“We support our Australian customers through our technical ability, our resources, and our depth of stock,” he said.

“All of our team members have visited the factory for training on our product lines, so we have the resources to provide support.

“We can also offer our clients online and face-to-face training, or tailor packages to support them and their staff.” •

For more information, visit dodgeindustrial.com

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