Our first Brokk 800P demolition machine in North America is celebrating its inaugural year of operation at TimkenSteel’s Ohio steel factory. The Brokk 800P is a sister product to the Brokk 800S and made specifically for the metal process industry. Built with a heat-protected three-part arm with continuous 360-degree rotation, the Brokk 800P effectively performs hot ladle and converter cleaning or whole refractory renovations in metal processing industries. TimkenSteel purchased the 12-ton unit in December 2014 to dig ladles at its Faircrest Steel Plant in Canton, Ohio.
TimkenSteel produces high quality alloy and plain carbon steel bars and tubes used in automotive, industrial and energy applications.
To work with the hot ladles and furnace, the Brokk 800P is paired with a heat-protected Atlas Copco SB 302 hydraulic breaker, which generates 450 foot-pounds of force at the tip of the solid-body hammer. TimkenSteel uses the machine to clean out its 175-ton ladles, which hold liquid steel. During full production, the ladles require relining approximately every 50 heats.
“Adding the Brokk 800P to our tool belt gives us considerable flexibility,” said Thomas Sellari, TimkenSteel’s manager of steel making at Faircrest. “Its remote-controlled operation allows operators to stay out of the line of fire with less risk of injury from hazards such as high temperatures and falling debris. Plus, it has a tracked wheel system, allowing us to easily move and position the machine to efficiently remove the refractory.”
Beyond its work with ladle clean-outs, TimkenSteel uses the Brokk 800P to clean ladle covers and lids, as needed, and to remove refractory lining from its electric arc furnace.
“Nearly 40 years after revealing our first demolition machine, we continue to improve the efficiency and safety of steel mills with our remote-controlled machines,” said Peter Bigwood, vice-president of sales and marketing for Brokk in North America. “The grueling application increases the risk for injury and heat exhaustion. Fortunately, Brokk’s remote-controlled capabilities and unmatched power-to-size ratio nearly eliminate that risk, taking the strain off of the crew and keeping them out of harm’s way.”
Like any Brokk demolition machine, the Brokk 800P uses a variety of attachments, including scabblers, buckets and breakers with extended bits, to effortlessly tackle challenging applications. It’s powered by a 98-horsepower diesel motor for use on remote locations where electricity is not readily accessible or it can be equipped with a 60-horsepower electric engine, which provides safe, emission-free operation in confined areas.
