To scale back the dangers of transferring scorching slag, OEMs Volvo CE and Liebherr have developed steel-mill wheel loaders specifically tailored for the duty – and within the course of created the most secure most sturdy automobiles of their class
Wheel loaders are important machines throughout a wide range of industries because of their adaptability for working with totally different supplies. In metal mill environments, wheel loaders present an important position to maneuver scorching slag. These impurities from metal making are faraway from the furnace for reuse or repurposing into aggregates. Typically likened to lava, this molten slag could be discovered at excessive temperatures as much as round 1,200°C presenting a harmful and high-risk working surroundings for the automobile and its operator. Because of this, many equipment producers provide steel-mill particular wheel loaders to go well with this excessive utility.
“At Liebherr, buyer satisfaction and security are on the forefront of all options. For the work on this surroundings, security and luxury are the highest priorities for Liebherr wheel loaders. For that reason, there are numerous gear choices that scale back fatigue and allow protected and comfy working,” explains Mark Walcher, product supervisor for XPower heavy gear at Liebherr.
“Liebherr affords preparation for a protecting air flow system that filters particles and gasses and moreover seals the cab”
Driver security
In addition to intense warmth, metal mills could be dusty and produce poisonous fumes that will make it unimaginable for operators to work safely for prolonged intervals of time. To fight this, wheel loaders for decent slag dealing with are outfitted with specifically designed cabs so the driving force can breathe clear air.
“Liebherr affords preparation for a protecting air flow system that filters particles (e.g. soot, asbestos) and gasses and moreover seals the cab,” says Walcher. The driving force can be protected by ballistic glass and a metal roof to forestall any sparks or splashes from severely injuring them. Liebherr’s L 550 to L 586 XPower wheel loaders could be specified for slag purposes.
At Volvo CE, its slag loader vary, together with L150H, L180H, L220H, L260H and L350H fashions, could be fitted with a cab filtration system which circulates 90% of cab air by a filter. Whereas these options assist to enhance the driving force’s day by day job, equipment producers additionally should equip slag handlers to deal with worst-case state of affairs conditions. “A very powerful factor is operator security,” says Erich Kribs, GPE product supervisor at Volvo CE. “If the machine stops within the metal mill, we would like the operator to be within the machine for so long as doable.” Exiting the machine in these environments is more likely to be extra harmful so Volvo has developed options for its slag handlers to permit the driving force to remain within the cab if the machine breaks down. The driving force is protected with a hearth suppression system and an emergency limp residence mode, which permits the operator to maneuver the machine in first gear to provide them a possibility to maneuver to a safer place to get assist.
“If the operator is just not obtainable or they get sick within the cab, we’ve got an engine shut down and parking brake launch on the rear,” says Kribs. This implies the automobile could be moved from the skin with out intervention from the driving force if they’re in issue.
Volvo CE additionally equips its slag loaders with a specialist towing level so one other machine can retrieve the wheel loader by positioning its bucket underneath the hitch and lifting the again of the automobile to tow it. Ordinarily, two automobiles could be manually hitched so this eliminates the necessity for an operator to exit their machine.
Within the occasion the driving force does have to exit the automobile, Volvo CE affords an optionally available ladder which matches over the rear wheel arch. “Usually if there’s an issue with the machine within the metal mill, the entrance of the machine is standing within the scorching space the place the fabric is. The operator can go away by way of this escape ladder to the rear of the automobile which is more likely to be a safer space,” says Kribs.
Key variations
In comparison with an ordinary wheel loader, a number of elements on a slag handler have to be uprated for this excessive temperature surroundings. “Because of the difficult working circumstances, the areas and elements which are notably uncovered to excessive circumstances have to be protected accordingly,” says as Walcher. “These embrace hydraulic traces, piston rods, cables, underbody, electrical modules, central lubrication system and its traces, plastic components and discs. Sure areas of the machine are outfitted with a further protecting operate. Parts which are made from plastic in typical purposes, for instance, are made from metal on this case to resist the large warmth.”
A few of these further protections embrace metal mudguards, exterior metal mirrors, metal lamp holders, steel-braided hydraulic hoses, tipping cylinder piston rod safety and underbody guards. On prime of this, some inside techniques require the usage of different supplies. Kribs provides, “Now we have a special, fire-resistant hydraulic oil so if a hose cracks, the hydraulic oil won’t begin to burn. Additionally, the grease inside is extra warmth resistant for working in these excessive temperature areas.”
“That is actually what we’d like in particular purposes – working along with clients to get their suggestions and discover one of the best answer for everybody”
The challenges of testing
To ensure these variations are appropriate for metal mills, equipment producers should object their machines to in depth excessive temperature testing. Because of the excessive traits of a metal mill, it’s onerous to copy these circumstances in a lab or synthetic setting. “To make sure that the wheel loaders are outfitted for the particular thermal circumstances, the machines had been examined in sensible use,” says Walcher. “Throughout this time, temperature measurements had been taken in numerous areas of the wheel loader. Liebherr developed applicable protecting gear based mostly on the info collected.”
Equally, Volvo prefers to conduct real-world testing, as Kribs highlights, “You can not check one thing like scorching slag within the free discipline, you’ll want to go to a metal mill and discover any individual who helps you. We’re working with some key account clients who’re joyful that we’re testing with them.”
Buyer suggestions is an important a part of the event course of for brand new attachments and components, Kribs explains, “We’re testing elements like slag dealing with buckets with clients, we ship components or attachments, they check it after which say sure or no.” In addition to enter from the client, Volvo CE often conducts web site visits to measure sure points of the elements. For a slag bucket, testing focuses on temperature and stress measurements
to analyse longevity and any potential weaknesses within the bucket.
“It’s good to work collectively, that is actually what we’d like in all particular purposes, to work along with the client to get their suggestions and discover out what’s the finest answer for everybody. First, what’s finest for the client, then what’s finest for us,” says Kribs.
Whereas scorching slag purposes won’t be the commonest use for wheel loaders, these specialist variations are key in supporting metal mills and protecting operators protected. In excessive temperature environments, the trade can’t afford for a machine to be a hearth danger or trigger unplanned downtime. Slag handles are a number of the most strong wheel loaders to allow mills to maintain working across the clock.
This text first appeared in iVT’s 2025 Off-highway Annual.
