Choosing and Explaining Methods of Non-Destructive Control of Gear Mechanisms in Imported Excavators

Abstract

Kuzbass opencast coal mines use foreign produced excavators as basic equipment. Capital repair of these excavators involves complete replacement of all tooth wheel gearing in reduction gear boxes after 2~3 years of work (depending on operating time). The cost of this replacement is practically equal to the cost of new gear boxes. To minimize repair costs and extend service life of gear-tooth systems in gear boxes a methodology for monitoring technical state of gear boxes in imported mining equipment was developed. It allows to obtain reliable information about the level and significance of in-service defects in their elements. The research showed that the most reliable methods of control are visual and dimensional test (67%) and fluorescent-magnetic inspection (32%), and used together these two methods allow to detect up to 100% of significant defects. The most significant among service defects in typical elements of gearing systems are single and multiple cracks.