When it comes to servicing equipment for potash mining, we know how important it is to have a rad that can withstand extreme conditions and around-the-clock use.
This was the case for a Saskatchewan mining customer with a locomotive rad that wouldn’t stop leaking. Here’s a look at how we serviced their heat exchanger to be 100% leak free!
This Post Covers:
- Potash Mining Rad Repair Summary
- What is a Locomotive Mining Radiator?
- The Job: Fixing a Leaky Locomotive Radiator
- The Problem: Bottom of Potash Mining Rad Tank Won’t Seal
- The Solution: Custom Radiator Tank Welding For Potash Rad
- The Result: 100% Leak Free Locomotive Radiator For a Saskatchewan Potash Mine
- Have a Potash Mining Rad That Needs Servicing?
Potash Mining Rad Repair Summary
Industry: Potash Mining
Equipment: Potash Mining Locomotive (miniature train unit)
Component: Bolt-On Aluminum Radiator
Service: Custom Welding & Radiator Repair
Outcome: 100% Leak-Free Cooling System
What is a Mining Locomotive?
A mining locomotive is a heavy-duty rail vehicle designed to move materials, equipment, and ore throughout a mining operation.
However, unlike large freight trains you see on public railways, these miniature train units operate within or near mine sites.
Mining locomotives can often be referred to as miniature train units, industrial rail engines or underground haulage locomotives.
Because these machines operate in harsh environments with heat, dust, vibration and long run times, their heat exchangers are prone to clogging, cracking and leaking.
The Job: Fixing a Leaky Locomotive Radiator
The client brought us this bolt-on aluminum radiator from a miniature train unit in a Saskatchewan potash mine that was consistently leaking despite repeated repair attempts by their internal team.
This locomotive operates around the clock in an extremely dusty, high-demand mine. Because of that, extended downtime wasn’t an option. The client needed a permanent, reliable solution.
The Problem: Bottom of Potash Mining Rad Tank Won’t Seal
When the client originally installed the aluminum radiator, they couldn’t properly tighten the bolts on the bottom tank. As a result, the tank never sealed correctly and leaked coolant during operation.
With a leaky radiator, the locomotive couldn’t cool at full capacity. Over time, this put the engine at risk and threatened unplanned downtime. Something the Saskatchewan soft rock mine simply couldn’t afford.
Our team wanted to ensure we repaired the critical mineral mining heat exchanger to be 100% leak-free and eliminate the bottom tank issue for good.
The Solution: Custom Radiator Tank Welding For Potash Rad
To begin, our shop technicians at our shop used our large overhead cranes to safely unload the locomotive radiator from the flat deck trailer it arrived on.
We are able to repair, recore and weld potash mining cooling systems at our Estevan, Saskatoon and Winnipeg locations!
Once on the shop floor, our team completed a full inspection and testing process to confirm the source of the leak and assess the overall condition of the radiator.
After confirming the root cause of the leak, we developed a permanent repair solution.
To prevent future leaks, our welders welded both the top and bottom tanks directly onto the locomotive radiator. By eliminating the bolted connection entirely, we removed the risk of recurring leaks.
The finished welds created a solid, sealed connection designed to withstand continuous operation in harsh mining conditions.
Finally, we reassembled the locomotive cooling system, applied a fresh coat of paint, reattached the frame and loaded the rad onto our truck to return the radiator to our client.
The Result: 100% Leak Free Locomotive Radiator For a Saskatchewan Potash Mine
After reinstalling the radiator, the customer confirmed the cooling system was completely leak-free!
The miniature train unit returned to service in the soft rock mine without further issues, and the client no longer had to worry about bottom tank failures or unexpected downtime.
Have a Potash Mining Rad That Needs Servicing?
With three full-service shops in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Estevan, we specialize in repairing heat exchangers for a wide range of mining OEMs such as: Cat, Cummins, Onan, Detroit, Perkins, MESABI, Komatsu and more!
We can service heat exchangers for solution and conventional potash mines!
Questions about how we can service your Canadian potash mining rad? Contact our team with these numbers and tell us more about your locomotive cooling system:
Toll-free: 1-877-RAD-CORE (723-2673)
Winnipeg: 1-204-633-5648
Estevan: 1-306-634-2055
Saskatoon: 1-306-934-7005
