Bore Into The Benefits Of Tension Bushings For Mining

An industry as rigorous and dynamic as mining demands equipment that is reliable and efficient. Among the many factors that contribute to the smooth operation of machinery in some of the harshest, most unforgiving environments, tension bushings stand out as critical components.

These unassuming yet essential components have a substantial impact on ensuring the longevity and optimal performance of the equipment that supports the profitability of mining enterprises. Here’s why they’re so critical and what you can expect from Vogelsang bushings.

Reduce Costs, Add Value

Tension bushings help reduce costs in various ways.

• They reduce downtime for maintenance and repairs. When costly and critical components are protected, they don’t fail or wear down as frequently, which means your equipment is up and running when you need it.
• They prevent lost productivity. Unexpected and unnecessary breakdowns not only cost you in repairs, but in lost time and production. Hardened bushings keep your operations running smoothly.
• They lower warranty costs. Equipment that performs reliably and requires less maintenance reduces the likelihood of warranty claims, which can significantly reduce overall warranty-related expenses.
• They are easy to replace. When bushings wear down they are quickly and easily replaced in the field. They do not require special tooling or freezing to install during manufacturing or repairs, and they can easily be removed with a hammer and drift pin.
• They enhance the performance, longevity, and reliability of machinery. Using our hardened bushings protects expensive components from damage, which ultimately means longer lasting and better performing equipment, and less frequent capital expenditures on new machinery.

Designed For Harsh Environments

It’s no stretch to say that these humble components do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to mining.

Vogelsang Tension Bushings can withstand the demands placed upon them because they are designed for high-load/low-speed operations in harsh, non-lubricated environments.

They excel at pivot points and joints in excavators, bulldozers, and other heavy machinery, and in the attachment points for buckets and other tools, where they reduce wear and stress on machinery.

They absorb shock, reduce vibration, and protect components from wear in the suspension systems of mining trucks and loaders and in rock crushers and grinding mills.

They are also commonly found in the conveyor belts used for transporting mined materials where they help to maintain proper tension and alignment.

Made With Quality Materials

Our bushings and are made from high quality spring steel – inch bushings from 6150 carbon steel and metric bushings from C67S non-alloyed steel – which has excellent elasticity, resilience, and wear characteristics.

Thru-Hardened For Wear Resistance

Their material qualities are further enhanced by thru-hardening heat treatment, a process that increases the Rockwell hardness (Rc) from Rc45 to Rc50.

Thru hardening ensures that the entire cross-section of the material is uniformly hardened, significantly increasing the tensile strength and yield strength of the material, making it suitable in high load-bearing applications like mining.

Thru hardened materials exhibit enhanced wear resistance when subjected to abrasion, impact, and continuous use. Unlike case hardened bushings, thru hardened components will last longer and wear down less frequently, increasing the amount of “wear time” between changing existing bushings.

More Tension Bushing Benefits

Vogelsang bushings are designed to replace solid steel (tubular) bushings and case hardened parts. Their cylindrical shape has a full length longitudinal slot that permits compression and expansion when installed into a bore. Their inherent material elasticity provides constant radial tension for a tight fit – even if the bore hole becomes enlarged. And chamfers help facilitate pressing these wear parts into a bore without causing damage to the surface of the bore or shaft to which they are fitted.

Our tension bushings are manufactured to a controlled, oversized diameter, with a static load rating of 125,000 pounds min, and a circumference speed up to 192 inches a minute.

All of our hardened bushings are designed as close tolerance parts with exacting ODs and IDs after installation, giving them a superior quality you can rely on.

Tension Bushing Customizations

Hardened bushings are designed to withstand non-lubricated environments, but can also be designed with both internal and external grease grooves and grease holes if you choose to use lubrication in your application.

Extra large bushings can be made to order, in addition to press fit bushings if you require a tighter OD and ID tolerance. Our hardened bushings can be made to special lengths and with special raw materials on request.

A Proven Track Record

Did you know that tension bushings are also known as spring bushings, hydraulic end bushings, hydraulic cylinder bushings, split steel bushings, and other industry-preferred names?

Whatever you call them, they are tried and true in some of the harshest, most demanding environments you can encounter. Vogelsang has been serving its industrial and mining customers for over 50 years, with a record of superior quality and exacting specifications.

Ordering Made Easy

We’ve made it easy to order tension bushings and will work with you to customize a purchasing program that works for you, whether with a blanket order, release order, letter of intent, or commitment letter. Our goal is to get products to you as quickly as possible.

With approximately 100 standard stock sizes in inch, from ¾ to 3 ½ inch OD, and metric from M14 to M200 OD, we are prepared to meet your application needs.

We pride ourselves on quality products and exceptional service. Talk to a Vogelsang representative to see how we can provide solutions for your mining applications.

Call (800) 526-2376 or contact us online. Our product specialists and engineers are here to help.