Discover how MASPRO’s redesigned cradle is doubling component life underground and transforming bolting performance across mine sites.
Equipment performance can mean the difference between sustained productivity and costly downtime, particularly in underground mining.
MASPRO’s redesigned bolting cradle and pipe assembly, part of the company’s growing Bolting Series, are becoming game-changing solutions for Australian and international operations alike.
MASPRO regional business development manager Roxanne Bekker recently spoke with Australian Mining about the journey behind the cradle’s redesign, its impact on underground performance, and how client feedback has driven measurable innovation across the product range.
The drive for redesigning the cradle stemmed from recurring concerns related to competitor products. Many underground miners operating Sandvik SB60 jumbos were experiencing premature failures in original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and after-market cradle components.
“Our clients weren’t running the OEM cradles as-is,” Bekker said. “They were welding on reinforcements prior to operation, which told us there was a real opportunity to offer something better, something engineered to perform from day one.”
Australian bolting operations call for robust components, and MASPRO found local miners were using jumbos for boring and bolting, the latter of which introduces significant extra stress on components that were never designed for that function. MASPRO’s solution was to build a cradle from the ground up, catering for bolting applications.
The company’s version one bolting cradle was a major step in addressing the issue. Manufactured using high-grade specialty steel with superior fatigue resistance, the cradle eliminated the need for custom welding and pre-use reinforcement.
“We saw double the life of the OEM equivalent without any welding or modifications,” Bekker said. “It was ready to bolt on and go.”
MASPRO then bundled commonly replaced components around the cradle into a complete assembly, including upgraded pipework and support plates, to streamline installation and reduce downtime even further.
But MASPRO didn’t stop there. The company continued gathering data from sites across Australia and abroad, even analysing failed cradles returned after use.
“We studied where the fatigue went, where it cracked, and what we could improve,” Bekker said.
This data-driven approach informed MASPRO’s version two bolting cradle, now available to the market, which features several structural improvements:
Water drainage holes eliminated along the beam to reduce fatigue-prone weak points
Weld repositioning in the clevis area to distribute stress more effectively
Safety shoulder on the pivot shaft to prevent feed assembly drop-offs, addressing a known issue with competitor products.
Other additions, like a removable rear service cover and an over-centre valve mounted on a reinforced backing plate, serve to further enhance the assembly’s durability and ease of maintenance.
Bekker shared that efficiency gains and cost-of-ownership reductions have been consistently strong with version two.
“In some cases, we’ve seen over a 100 per cent improvement in fatigue life,” she said. “It all depends on how the client was using their previous product; whether it was an OEM, after-market, or rebuilt product.
“And when a part lasts twice as long, that means fewer change-outs, more time drilling, less freight, less procurement effort, and less carbon output. The ripple effects are massive.”
According to Bekker, the cradle’s value extends beyond the workshop. Productivity increases, maintenance efficiencies, and supply chain simplification all translate into bottom-line results.
Bolting Series 2.0
The cradle is part of MASPRO’s broader Bolting Series 2.0, which includes complementary components like inner and outer zoom assemblies, a bolting cylinder, and a bolting downhole power unit (DPU).
Each product has been designed to withstand the unique stresses of Australian underground operations. For instance, the bolting cylinder now incorporates a self-aligning bearing set-up and corrosion-resistant specialty alloys, while the zoom assemblies feature precision welds and high-strength materials for fatigue-critical areas.
“The series represents our commitment to continuously refining products with direct input from clients,” Bekker said. “We’re engineering not just for performance, but for real-world site conditions.”
As the version two cradle rolls out to more sites, MASPRO remains committed to ongoing improvement.
“We’re always refining,” Bekker said. “Every bit of feedback goes back to our engineers. Whether it’s extending life, improving maintenance access or solving supply issues, our clients guide our priorities.”
Looking to the future, the newly released zoom assemblies are tipped to be the next standout innovation. Bekker believes they will provide the same return on investment and operational benefits already seen with the cradle.
“In a market where downtime is costly and efficiency is everything, we believe these upgrades make a real difference,” she said.
Reliability is currency in underground mining, and MASPRO’s Bolting Series is helping miners cash in. By listening to their customers and investing in purpose-built, fatigue-resistant designs, MASPRO is showing how homegrown engineering can deliver global impact.
As the Bolting Series continues to evolve, one thing is clear: when it comes to performance at the face, MASPRO is just getting started.
This feature appeared in the September edition of Australian Mining.
