Revitalizing a Giant: Overcoming Challenges in Restoration
BNSF Railway was faced with a challenge of reviving a long-dormant, 50-year-old legacy bucketwheel excavator in anticipation of a significant increase in ore supply. The inoperative state of the machine had previously resulted in substantial operational inefficiencies, including a considerable loss of loading capacity, increased downtime due to vulnerability to extreme weather conditions, and frequent needs for structural repairs. In a determined effort to not only restore the excavator’s functionality but also to enhance its performance, the L&H teams from engineering and design, manufacturing and repair, and field services embarked on a comprehensive 12-month overhaul which resulted in an almost new machine, boasting higher capacity and effectively equipping BNSF to handle the upcoming surge in taconite supply. This case study captures the technical challenges, innovative solutions, and commitment from L&H providing readers with a thorough understanding of the complexities involved in such a large-scale one-of-a-kind project.