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June 2, 2023
We have successfully completed our first order down under! Australia’s Downer EDi Rail has taken delivery of a pair of ten tonne bogie rotators from Mechan, thanks to our local distributor, Unique Rail.
The rotators, which are the heaviest Mechan has ever produced, will be used at Downer EDi’s Newport depot in Victoria to maintain up to ten different types of locomotive. This broad remit required design modifications to increase lifting capacity and add extra bolt holes to the structures.
Rail industry supplier, Unique Rail, our official distributor for Australia and New Zealand, negotiated the purchase of the new equipment. Managing director, Fabian Borgonha, then worked with our engineers in Sheffield to create a special adapter for Downer EDi that would enable the bespoke rotators to be attached to various bogie frames.
Richard Carr, Mechan’s managing director, said: “We are extremely lucky to have found an Australian distributor with such excellent industry contacts and technical ability. Having supplied a similar order to Asia last year, we were confident the equipment would meet the needs of our Antipodean colleagues and make it across the world safely. It was installed successfully by Unique and is now being used by a very satisfied client.”
Mechan’s rotators comprise two independent structures that work together to hold a bogie frame in place whilst it is rotated through 360 degrees. Typically, they are manufactured to support between six and eight tonnes, however, as freight trains in Australia are larger than the UK equivalent, the capacity was increased for Downer EDi to ten tonnes.
Fabian Borgonha added: “Bogie rotators are a common sight in rail depots across the world and it is vital their construction can withstand the rigours of busy maintenance facilities. Mechan has an excellent reputation for the quality and reliability of its lifting equipment and I am pleased to be introducing Australia to its products. The firm’s proven technology, competitive prices and willingness to work with my client impressed everyone involved in this transaction.”