Posted to News on 23rd Dec 2016, 12:40
LOCTITE chosen for arduous, sub-zero conditions
The Beast is built for supreme performance and the utmost driver comfort. Powered by a 12.5 litre Caterpillar C13 Acert turbo diesel engine, this vehicle is responsible for grooming the ski slopes, at night and when others are enjoying the après-ski. Operating in temperatures around 30 degrees below freezing and on slopes that can be over 45 egrees steep, The Beast relies extensively on LOCTITE engineering adhesives from Henkel to secure components and seal hydraulics.
Prinroth AG, the manufacturer of this powerhouse, is based in Italy, where components shipped from Canada, the US and local plants are hand assembled to individual customer specification. The Head of Assembly explains: "We need to work fast but without any compromise on safety or reliability. That is why we use LOCTITE products. They are easy to work with and we can rely on them 100 per cent."
The efficiency of the hydraulic systems that drive the tracks, blades and tillers is crucial to The Beast. For sealing hoses Prinroth uses LOCTITE 572 to create an instant seal that cures to burst strength. LOCTITE 638 is also used, typically to retain ice studs and aluminium track blades. As well as being able to cope with pressures up to 550bar, the product naturally has to withstand temperatures way below zero.
LOCTITE 638 is one of Henkel's popular retaining compounds and provides the best resistance to dynamic, axial and radial loads. This Henkel family of high-strength products is capable of carrying high loads and filling all voids to prevent and corrosion and fretting. As they provide 100 per cent contact, load and stress is distributed evenly over the joint.
The Assembly Mechanic adds: "We can safety use LOCTITE 638 with a lot of different materials and it is extremely strong. Because of the extreme conditions, any mechanical failure is potentially very serious so we must always deliver the highest quality of workmanship."
LOCTITE threadlocking products prevent self-loosening and secure any threaded fastener against vibration and shock loads. The product predominantly used by Prinroth for this purpose is LOCTITE 243, an easy-flowing liquid that completely fills the gaps between mating threads. A typical application on The Beast is on M20 bolts tightened to 365Nm to secure the track-drive wheel.
As Prinroth machines are not mass produced, the Head of Assembly notes: "That means we must be flexible. LOCTITE has the right products for all our requirements, clearly labelled and easy to use, which is vital when things get busy."
Go to www.loctite.co.uk for more information about LOCTITE engineering adhesives from Henkel.
