The new hammerless dragline repair link utilises a patented locking system that improves safety and decreases downtime.

Charlie Dreixler, product engineer at Columbia Steel, has been working extensively on hoist and drag chain designs since 2010. He explained: “We're on our fifth generation of mechanical repair link improvements, and a year's worth of field trials in Wyoming and North Dakota have already convinced customers to place additional orders.”

Key to this repair link's success is Columbia's EZ RigLok system. The company stated that the system has also proven to be a faster, safer locking mechanism in many other Columbia Steel dragline products as well, like hoist links, swivel links, and clevises. The EZ RigLok repair link requires no welding or special tools, and needs just a standard 0.75in (1.9cm) breaker bar to install and remove.

Dreixler noted: “Accelerated wear on hoist chain in the bucket rub rail area is a frequent cause of downtime — and a real test for any repair link. During a Wyoming field trial, the EZ RigLok repair link lasted for over seven months in a rub rail position.”