Page 21 - AWA Vol.42-No.5 issue

HArVESTiNG & STorAGE

cades later. But it’s a testament to the build
quality of the machine as it's still running Eurosilo acquires Weibull Silo assets
after 28 years.”
and activities
While multiple conventional forklifts
have come and gone over the same pe-
riod, the original C-Series remains in
operation. Its continued performance is
attributed to robust engineering, regular
preventative maintenance, and respon-
sive local support.
McManus mentions: “It doesn't re-
ally take much maintenance. We have
changed filters or timing belts over the
years, but it’s still got the original engine
from when it arrived here.”
Routine checks of oil, coolant, hydrau-
lics, tyres, and greasing have helped keep
the machine operating reliably, while ma-
jor repairs have been rare throughout its
28-year lifespan.

Having a machine out of action can have
a major impact on day-to-day operations.
However, according to McManus, that has
rarely been an issue.
"In 28 years, it's very rarely had to be We are proud to announce that from the mid-1960s, most have ex-
taken away for repairs," he says. "Any is- Weibull, a pioneer in enclosed large-s- ceeded their economic lifespan.
sues we've had have usually been fixed cale silo storage, has become part of Owners can now turn to Eurosilo for
on site, and quickly. That's the main thing, the Eurosilo portfolio. The transfer inspections and support for their
because if the machine is out of action for from previous owner Gordic AB was Weibull systems. In fact, Eurosilo al-
any length of time, we're in trouble."
finalised on 23 March this year. Both ready has a great deal of in-field expe-
The success of the original C-Series led parties concluded that the global in- rience with Weibull systems, ranging
J.G. Kelly Supplies to expand its fleet with stalled base of approximately one from inspection and modernisation
additional Combilift products, including hundred Weibull silos will be best for leading agribulk producers such
other Combilift models, such as the pe- supported by Eurosilo, backed by the as Amalgamated Sugar Co, Nordic
destrian Combi-CS and an Aisle Master in international strength of the AUMUND Sugar, Lyckeby and Emsland Stärke,
their Limerick warehouse. The company Group. to modernisation projects for cement
continues to value Combilift's ability to Safeguarding expertise producers such as Rohrdorfer Zement
tailor equipment to specific operational and Heidelberger Zement.
requirements rather than offering a one- We are now in the process of trans- Maintenance, conversion or new
size-fits-all solution. ferring all available data and draw- build
ings of the existing Weibull silos into
Kelly highlights: “Combilift are very
Typically, we see three continuity
good at having a look at what you need our systems. Together with Kjell Lund- strategies from customers in Weibull
and then they can tailor the product to suit quist, who maintained all Weibull doc- projects. The first is targeted repair or
you. We had the height of the mast and umentation at Gordic AB, our After replacement of obsolete components.
weight limit tailored to what we needed in Sales Manager Maarten Appelman With our extensive supplier network,
our Combi-CS” is assessing decades of information.
Maarten Appelman: “Much of the in- we can provide alternatives for parts
Today, the first-ever multidirectional formation dates from before the digital from manufacturers that no longer
C-Series stands as a powerful example of era, consisting of extensive archives exist. The second is conversion, us-
how investing in the right material han- of printed drawings, microfilms and ing state-of-the-art Eurosilo infeed,
dling solution delivers lasting returns. project documentation. Fortunately, it storage and outfeed systems. In this
Nearly three decades after it was man- had already been largely digitised, so case, the silo structure remains intact
ufactured and operated for the first time, we have all the information available while the material handling system is
the forklift continues to enhance oper- when needed to support any Weibull replaced. A third strategy is the devel-
ations, driving productivity, improving sugar silo customer.” opment of completely new Eurosilo,
safety and maximising storage space Support for Weibull systems based on detailed feasibility studies
while proving that quality engineering and tailored to future operational re-
and preventative maintenance can stand Because many Weibull silos date quirements. Circle 25 on enquiry card
the test of time. Circle 24 on enquiry card
Vol. 42 No. 5 19