Heavy equipment is built to be tough, but after many hours of work, even the most durable components can wear down. When connection points, bores and hydraulic rods deviate from their precise factory specifications, it can lead to decreased performance and, eventually, costly downtime. At Thompson Machinery, we offer machining services to bring components back to spec, reduce downtime and extend the life of your most valuable assets.
Expert Machine Shop Services
Our machining shops in Middle Tennessee, West Tennessee and North Mississippi can handle a wide range of repairs, from minor fixes to major component rebuilds. If your equipment is too large, costly or inconvenient to transport to one of our shops, we offer field line and align boring. Our service trucks carry the tools and technology to complete precision boring on-site.
Below are some of our services.
Line Boring
When the circular openings for pins and bearings, known as bores, wear out and become oval-shaped, your equipment can become loose and unstable. This is common on high-stress connection points for excavator buckets, dozer blades and articulated frames. Our line boring service brings the bore back to its factory dimensions. The process involves welding the inside of the bore to add new material. Our machinists then use a specialized boring bar that passes through the hole, carefully cutting away the excess material until the bore is round and back to its original diameter.
Align Boring
For components with two or more bores that must align, like the arms on a wheel loader, we offer align boring services. This process ensures the bores share a single, straight centerline. We use lasers or optical instruments to establish a straight line, which guides the boring bar to align each bore. Our alignment service helps prevent unnecessary stress on pins and bearings, so your equipment can operate as designed.
Cylinder Rod Resurfacing
Hydraulic cylinder rods are exposed to harsh conditions and can get scratched, dented or scored. We repair this wear and tear, returning the rod to a smoother, more uniform surface, which is critical for protecting hydraulic seals. Our resurfacing service can prevent fluid leaks and hydraulic power loss in wheel loaders, excavators and other machines with hydraulic cylinders.
The process starts with a detailed inspection to check the extent of the wear and tear. If light scratches are present, a multistage polishing process can return the smooth surface required for optimal seal performance. For deeper gouges, our technicians use specialized welding techniques to apply new material to the worn area. We then mount the rod on a lathe and machine it back down to its original diameter.
Why Choose Our Machine Shop?
When it comes to machining companies that handle equipment repairs, Thompson Machinery delivers a unique combination of world-class capabilities and personalized service. Our technicians listen to your needs and use their problem-solving skills and expertise to complete complex jobs. We maintain a fleet of over 50 field service vehicles to deliver the right solution to on-site projects.
Get Heavy Equipment Machining Services
Ready to get your equipment back to spec? For expert repairs, contact Thompson Machinery today to schedule our machine shop services.