The ambient environment surrounding a jetty conveyor is abundant in harsh aggregators that can place long-term strain on industrial components. Not only must they content with airborne pollutants such as dust and other course particle matter, but the ocean salt promotes rust and the build-up of grime at an accelerated rate. 

In 2005, a key customer in the grain industry approached BSC to replace an old, generic pin/rubber coupling on their conveyor apparatus, which had failed during a ship loading. The timing of the breakdown resulted in extensive downtime cost and product loss, which motivated the customer to seek a new solution with greater reliability in the challenging conditions. 

“When dealing with product such as grain, you can’t afford to delay shipment, or put a pause on operation for that long,” says Russell Randal, National Account Manager for Agriculture at Motion Australia. “At that time, the customer came to us with a sense of urgency. They wanted an immediate solution, but one that would serve them best in the long run.”

According to Russell, the original specification was to install a new coupling unit that could be quickly and easily changed out to avoid downtime in the future. BSC recommended the Timken QF1000 and QF500 Quickflex® Couplings, which were installed between the motor, gearbox and conveyor drum situated on the incline and decline jetty conveyors.

Fast forward ten years to 2015, when the BSC team conducted a routine site visit, only to realise that these couplings had never been changed, yet were still successfully running at full capacity.

“It was just astounding,” Russell says. “The original urethane inserts were still in perfect condition. There was minor rust on the coupling body exterior, but that is to be expected after such long-term exposure to salt air.”

“A decade of use without any costs of replacement or servicing demonstrates just how premium the Timken product is,” he furthers. “We say that they’re durable enough to face the harshest operating conditions, and this result is a testament to that promise.”

Available in standard, single-ended spacer, double-ended spacer, or spined hub designs, the Timken Quickflex® is capable of withstanding high speeds and torque rating for motor, gearbox, pump or shaft applications. The no metal-to-metal contact design requires no lubrication, saving drastically on consumables spending over time.   

Fred the Farmer recommends the Timken Quickflex® Coupling for:

Efficiency
This product’s design versatility means they can replace most coupling configurations. The only required spare part is the elastomeric insert, which can be swapped out easily without removing the hubs.

Durability
No metal-to-metal contact and urethane means less repair cost for the hubs and other joining parts. Stainless steel varieties are available for harsh washdowns, or where chemical cleaning is required.

Streamlined inventory
Because of their adaptability, these couplings can be standardised across a site, mitigating the need for excess stock. 

Innovative design
Able to withstand up to two degrees of misalignment, the Timken Quickflex® dampens vibration and withstands repeated high shock load to the equipment

Choosing the right Quick-flex® insert

• Select the Standard Red Insert for reversing applications or quick starting and stopping of high inertial loads. 

• Opt for the High Torque Blue Insert for moderate to high torque applications such as gear, grid or chain style couplings.

• Choose the High Temperature White Insert for operating conditions up to 177°C.

• Use the Highest Torque Black Insert for applications with very high torque.