2015

Success Story

Status Quo
Customer GS agri, a northern German collective acting in the
nutrient and animal feed sector and consisting of more than
2,600 members, runs a major fleet of dry bulk road tanker
trucks. GS agri placed an order with a local truck manufacturer
garage for the installation of an existing GHH RAND silo com-
pressor onto a new Mercedes Actros. After problems occurred
while operating the compressed air solution a certified GHH
RAND partner was consulted.

The Challenge
During operation of the new Mercedes truck its PTO drive
shaft powering the compressor unit failed almost every
three months. Finally GHH RAND partner ThermoKing
Bremen was tasked to run a root cause analysis. In coo-
peration with technical service staff of GHH RAND it was
identified that the working angle of the drive shaft was
bigger than 22° which was one reason for the repetitive
failures of the installation.

A number of root causes were identified that cumulated in recurring failures of the drive shaft cardan joints, inclu-
ding that the used compressor unit was mounted with non-genuine GHH RAND parts. Also the compressor airend
didn‘t have the optimum position within the truck chassis with regard to the PTO drive. At the same time the in-
stallation was lacking a re-enforced frame fastening as specified by the truck manufacturer.

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 The Solution
The team that were asked for help quickly identi-
fied the issues that needed to be fixed. Their
findings and subsequent plan enabled GS agri
to undertake the installation themselves. First and
most important step to a reliable and enduring
operation was: The compressor aggregate needed
to be adjusted in a correct manner. It had to move
backwards within the truck frame and also inwards
to align with the truck‘s PTO drive. At the same
time the bearing bracket was positioned further
into the truck frame – this step allowed for a
flange parallelism providing providing a working
compound angle of 12 degrees within limit.

Michael Heitmann, GS agri appreciates ThermoKing Bremen‘s support:

„Hello Mr. Kallmünzer, we successfully finished the re-arrangement of the
installation. I attached some photos that give you the chance to gaze at the
result of a professional consultation. Thanks again for the support!“

The consultation firstly covered the calculation of correct installation parameters. As a next step matching moun-
ting parts such as an original GHH RAND enforced frame fastening-kit for Mercedes Actros were picked. A
longer V-belt allowed for re-positioning of the bearing bracket. A new frame bracket was installed to guarantee for
a durable installation of the compressor solution at its new lifting points on the truck frame. Ultimately the choice
of a perfectly fitting drive shaft was based on a calculation that ensured the recommended 12° angle. This toge-
ther with further installation tipps enabled GS agri to carry out the installation themselves in their own workshop.

ThermoKing Bremen – one of two certified GHH RAND partners in northern Germany – strengthened its positi-
on by this project and is happy to assist with GHH RAND installations any time.

Your GHH RAND partner

in northern Germany:

Thermo King Transportkühlung GmbH Thermo King Transportkühlung GmbH

Subject to change without notice

Heerenholz 11 • 28307 Bremen Porgesring 24 • 22113 Hamburg

Contact: Marcus Kallmünzer Contact: Frank v. Heeckeren
Phone: +49(0)421/483655, Mobile: +49(0)170/9377311 Phone: +49(0)40/226905127, Mobile: +49(0)171/7738645
marcus_kallmuenzer@thermoking-hamburg.de frank_van_heeckeren@thermoking-hamburg.de
SILU Success Story agri_EN_001_0315

GHH RAND Schraubenkompressoren GmbH

Customer Center Tanker Solutions
Max-Planck-Ring 27 • 46049 Oberhausen • Germany
Phone +49 (0) 208 9994-0 • Fax +49 (0) 208 9994-179
tanker-solutions@ghhrand.com • www.ghhrand.com