How Blackstar Diesel Brought Wireless Testing to a Small Maintenance Business

Eliminating live work is just as important for small maintenance businesses as it is for large mining companies.

For Robbie Brammer, owner of Blackstar Diesel, investing in SafeGauge was about creating a safer way to work while improving the efficiency of his business.

The Customer

Blackstar Diesel is a contract maintenance provider supporting large mining operations across Queensland. The team works in both field and workshop environments and plans to expand into other industries while increasing support for remote operations.

The Challenge

Before adopting SafeGauge, Blackstar Diesel relied on traditional testing methods that required significant administrative controls to manage risk.

Many tests required two people, with one technician operating the machine while another read the gauges. This made testing in remote locations more difficult and increased exposure to hazards during live testing.

Pressure testing also involved running long hydraulic hoses into the cab. Depending on the job, Robbie would spend time locating, joining or making hoses before testing could begin. Multi-point testing added further time because each point had to be tested individually.

The Solution

Blackstar Diesel introduced the SafeGauge Pressure Transducers and Dial Indicators alongside the SafeGauge MultiTool to carry out wireless remote testing.

The MultiTool allows Robbie to monitor readings from inside the cab while operating the machine, making single-person testing practical in situations where it was previously difficult.

Steering pressure testing on dump trucks can now be completed by monitoring four pressure points at the same time instead of testing each point individually. Slew deflection testing can also be carried out from outside the swing radius of large machines.

Removing the need for long hydraulic hose runs has also reduced setup time before testing begins.

The Results

SafeGauge has helped Blackstar Diesel improve both safety and efficiency during maintenance testing.

The ability to complete multiple measurements at the same time has reduced testing time, while faster setup has removed much of the work previously involved in preparing traditional pressure gauges.

SafeGauge is very easy to work with. If you can operate a phone, you can operate the SafeGauge tooling, it’s so much better/quicker than traditional gauges.

For a growing business, improving the capability of each technician creates opportunities to take on more work and support future growth.

As a small business, enhancing the capabilities of each person makes a big difference.

 

Key Outcomes

• Improved safety during live testing
• Single-person testing in remote locations
• Simultaneous multi-point pressure testing
• Reduced setup time by removing long hydraulic hose runs
• Greater productivity through faster testing
• Improved capability to support future business growth