Transporting excavators is inevitable in mining and all other excavation operations for various reasons such as material availability, required blend of material, blasting, maintenance, mine planning, mine progression, etc. Moving an excavator on its own power and track is slow and cumbersome process, which causes heavy wear and strain on tracks and other undercarriage components, apart from loss of valuable time from production etc.

Sleipner is an innovative, globally patented, simple and highly effective method for faster, easier and safer transportation of hydraulic excavator inside open pit mine, large quarries, between sites, on paved surfaces, etc. The idea of Sleipner is to move excavator so that the tracks are lifted above the ground. The key benefits associated with its use are enhanced productivity, increased equipment utilisation, reduced operational cost, faster mobility, reduced overall cost, reduced lifecycle cost of excavators, increased profitability, reduction in deployment of capital equipment, etc.

Due to saving in fuel usage, the system even contributes towards green environment. Moreover, the patented product which is built to last by its compact and robust designing, needs no alternations in the existing equipment. The product range presently available can move excavators from 30 tonne to 550 tonne.

Sleipner method can achieve faster transportation of 10-15 km/hr against the tracks travel of 1-2 km/hr, which results in reduction of travel time by around 80 per cent.

The product also assures low maintenance cost of excavators, less fatigue to operator because of negligible vibrations. This is achieved as the excavator tracks are lifted above the ground and the whole system works on tyres. Due to this principle, the movement is faster, and a smoother transportation is achieved.

Sleipner is designed to last long as only best quality components are used for manufacturing. The globally patented design makes it a robust product with negligible maintenance cost and is built upon the principle of 'Built to Last'. Some of the first Sleipners are still under use after more than 16 years of operation. The undercarriage cost in excavator lifecycle is 30-40 per cent, which is a dominant cost.

Use of Sleipner extends life of undercarriage by at least two-three times. Further, the Sleipner method contributes to reduction of operating cost of existing excavators apart from having its own very long lifecycle.

Studies at various mines and excavation sites indicated the astonishing payback of less than six months in many applications. Houtec Engineering & Services will be focusing majorly on the existing and un-addressed gaps in customer needs, application needs and products and services available.