Hydraulic motor survives anti-tank mine

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Aug 24, 2005

SAI hydraulic motors can be supplied for use in potentially explosive areas (as covered by ATEX), but what happens when there are explosions actually occurring all around?

From July 1993, the ATEX Directive 94/9/EC became mandatory for the selection of industrial equipment, both mechanical and electrical, for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Obviously when used in such areas, SAI hydraulic motors fall into this category and, as can be seen at the end of this article, the directive is something with which SAI (GB) can now comply.

However, that is all well and good for potentially explosive areas, but what happens when there are explosions actually occurring all around?.

What is the chance of survival for these rugged little machines?.

SAI hydraulic motors have been employed by various companies to power the flails of mine clearance machines in many countries, and a recently received e-mail from a charity funded agency involved in the construction and operation of mine clearing machines in Cambodia goes some way to answering this question.

Following is an extract taken, word for word, from this e-mail received on 2nd August 2005: "One of your motors was blown up by an anti-tank mine".

"The motor has survived well".

"The duplex sprocket was ripped of the shaft but, surprisingly, the motor seems to be OK".

"I think this was due to the short shaft".

"I am going to Sweden early in September were we will be trying to break another one".

In other applications, where shock has been of special consideration, the motor body and cover have each been manufactured using SG iron castings, however, on this occasion, the motor used was (and still is) a perfectly standard GM1 175 8H D40.

On the subject of ATEX, SAI (GB) is now able to offer self certification for the SAI hydraulic motor range for areas classified as ATEX Group II - Categories 2 and 3, providing the motors are used within the parameters set out in the project file which would be created for each individual application.