New track-mounted compressors can access any site

Ingersoll-Rand portable compressors form the core of an innovative range of new radio-controlled, hydraulic track-mounted compressors now available for hire or purchase from Hirecorp UK.

Ingersoll-Rand portable compressors form the core of an innovative range of new radio-controlled, hydraulic track-mounted compressors now available for hire or purchase from Hirecorp UK, based at Seaham in County Durham, England.

The new range of track-mounted compressors has been designed to solve the problem of delivering and moving compressors about sites with very restricted access such as those in built-up inner city locations and sites with very soft or muddy ground and uneven terrain.

The ingenious design helps to avoid the costs of project delays and equipment downtime and other costs associated with damage recharges and the reinstatement of the areas of ground and turf.

Russ Cooper, Manager of Hirecorp UK, a division of leading drilling contractor, Drilcorp , said: "For many years, our Managing Director, Dave Gowans, had been nurturing the idea of a self-propelled, remote controlled air compressor on tracks to solve access problems we have encountered on sites around the country".

"This has resulted in the development of the new tracked units utilising the Ingersoll-Rand range of compressors".

"All of the Ingersoll-Rand people from sales, engineering and service departments have provided us with all of the information and assistance that we needed and they have shown that by choosing Ingersoll-Rand we got it right first time." For more details on the new range of track-mounted compressors, customers should contact Russ Cooper at Hirecorp UK on Tel 0191 527 9740 or 0191 527 3970; Fax 0191 527 9740 or 0191 527 3115 or E-mail info@drilcorp.com.

In the new track-mounted units, Hirecorp UK has mounted Ingersoll-Rand compressors on vulcanised rubber tracks to provide the manoeuvrability and low ground bearing pressure needed to deliver the compressors to these inaccessible sites.

The low centre of gravity of the tracked compressors allows them travel easily up gradients and across uneven ground.

The use of radio controls optimises safety by allowing the operator to unload the compressor from the back of a truck and operate its movements onto site from a remote position.

Hirecorp UK has minimised development and product costs by utilising power from the compressor engine, eliminating the purchase and service costs of an extra engine in the package.

In addition, non-toxic, biodegradable oil is used in the hydraulic system to mitigate against any possibility of ground contamination.

The prototype unit was based on the 14/115 model from Ingersoll-Rand, part of the new 7/170 family of portable compressors.

The 14/115 compressor supplies 11.3 m3/min (400 cfm) of compressed air at an output pressure of 14 bar and is a popular power source for applications in drilling, plant hire, construction, quarrying and general industry.

Russ Cooper commented: "Choosing the Ingersoll-Rand 14/115 has certainly proved to be the right decision".

"The old VHP400 was good but the extra pressure delivered by the 14/115 has compensated for pressure losses within the drilling system allowing the optimum amount of air to be delivered to the job and has proved to be a definite aid to increased production".

Hirecorp UK is also producing a tracked-mounted model based on the larger Ingersoll-Rand 21/215 compressor that delivers 20.9 m3/min (740 cfm) of air at an operating pressure of 20.7 bar (300 psi).

Established in 1992, Drilcorp has established an excellent reputation in the drilling industry.

The company's business covers every aspect of groundwater from drilling waterwells to supply high quality, cost effective water for a wide range of clients and industries to dewatering for the civil engineering and construction industries and drilling monitoring wells for the Environment Agency or the NERC.

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