BAUER Maschinen GmbH honored for innovative safety concept

In February 2016, the German association of the construction industry, environmental and machine technology VDBUM awarded their promotional prize for innovation in the construction and construction machinery industry for the fourth time. BAUER Maschinen GmbH was also awarded the renowned prize in the "Innovations from practical experience" category for their new safety concept for drilling rigs.

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In order to implement the energy efficiency package that was already awarded a prize by the VDBUM in 2015, Bauer developed the BT 75/85 and BS 95/115 new base carrier unit line for rotary drilling rigs. Bauer took this as an opportunity to scrutinize and improve all of the functions in order to create added value for their customers. In doing so, the now award-winning safety concept was developed, which has user friendliness and safety on the construction site as its focus. It is targeted at avoiding dangerous situations and integrating the systems directly into the machinery.

The extending service platforms are a decisive innovation: they allow for safe and ergonomic maintenance with a freely accessible working area. A part of the lateral paneling serves as a hand rail, while the raised part protects from rain or sun. The extendable, walk-on drawers of the service platforms are stored on the underside of the base carrier to save space. The retracted drawers seal the underside of the base carrier. When the platform is extended, the working area underneath the upper carriage is released so that the component units can be easily reached from the ground up. An optional electric version simplifies operation.

In the course of the redevelopment, the hydraulic connections were also changed and further innovations were implemented. So the hydraulic connections on the rotary drilling gearbox can now be connected from the ground without climbing aids. Bolting the feed slide to the mast and the automatic positioning of the mast head are done hydraulically, meaning that the employees are outside of the danger area. As setting up and assembly of the drilling rig is possible without additional climbing aids, the risk of falling is significantly reduced. Additionally, foldable fall protection has been incorporated on the upper carriage. Therefore, protection is promptly available at all times, without hindering the machinery when turning. Cameras for rear area monitoring and reversing warning systems complete the safety equipment.

This concept, developed and already realized by Bauer, does not just increase safety on the construction site, but also the economy of drilling rigs as the features to support during assembly of the machine reduce the set-up time of the drilling rig. Through the simple operation and constant availability of the fall protection, the machine's maintenance is quicker and more efficient. It is significant, however, that accidents, which can lead to long standstill times on the construction site and are often connected with high resulting costs, can be avoided. So a purchase is doubly worthwhile.