Latest Projects

Thanks to our Blokes Down Under!  Metal Locking Service has become a familiar fixture in Australia.  We have recently done work in Perth, Taree, and Spottswood.  Our crew has performed crosshead guide repairs and double lube headers on various locomotive engines as well as a generator foot repair.The pictures to the right are of an engine in the process of getting a masterlock installed, and then a shot of The Sydney Opera House.

This 50,000lb ball mill was in bad need of a repair.  Both end bells were thin and cracked and the mill was in danger of collapse.  MLS offered a complete turn-key solution including the removal of the exterior wall, diamond-wire cutting of the concrete pedestal, rigging out and transport to our shop, removal of the existing end bells, fabrication of the new end bells and pedestal, assembly of the new end bells to the shell and installation of a new ring gear.  New Babbitt bearings were poured and machined and the entire unit was installed.  The total job finished 4 weeks ahead of schedule and on-budget.

 Our customer had a MAN B&W engine block with a cracked bearing saddle.  First we had to submit our repair procedure for approval to the American Bureau of Shipping.  The repair would require our metal locking and on-site machining techniques. We used our portable milling machine to remove the entire damaged area.  We made sure all corners had radii to alleviate stress points.  We then milled a piece of similar material to fit into the pocket.  This piece was “metal locked” into place.  Finally we milled the surface for a finish to meet OEM dimensions.

A piston failure resulted in a broken block on this Waukesha which was located 1 hour offshore of Luanda, Angola (Africa). Our team was mobilized for an on-site repair which included the attachment of a replacement piece via metal locking followed by on-site machining to finish. A water-tight repair was necessary and achieved. Neither rain, nor snow, nor distance can slow MLS down! 

International Paper called us when their Debarking Drum tire broke completely through. Within hours we had our portable machining equipment and tooling packed and shipped to the job-site in Selma, AL. We worked around-the-clock for 7 days until the job was complete. The repair included a 4" thick masterlock 22" long by 11" wide and additional scab plating to the outside of the tire. Working 50' above the ground in 95 degree heat and humidity was a challenge but our crew proved up to the task.

When this Calendar Roll frame broke, our customer experienced a drop of approximately 30% of their plants output capacity. Within 2 days of notification, we had our crew on-site in Virginia working around-the-clock and straight through the upcoming weekend. Our on-site milling machines made quick work of the masterlock pockets.  Please see our Testimonial Page for a glowing report! 

When a sister press (of the same vintage) failed after a weld and stress-relieve attempt, we were called in to evaluate a new problem. Our customer agreed that our mechanical repair (no welding or heat application) offered the best solution. The 35,000lb ram was shipped to our Buffalo, NY shop for an in-house repair while the press frame was repaired on-site.

Language barrier - No Problema! This recent job was completed in Toluca, Mexico. Our customer, an automotive component manufacturer, called us when their 16,000 metric ton Forging Hammer cracked its anvil base. We completed the repair within budget and 12 hours ahead of our promised deadline. Our 4-man crew worked around-the-clock and per the customer "did an excellent job." 

This large Caterpillar Front-end Loader threw a connecting rod and cracked the block. After one of our Project Managers, Tushar Bhanse, inspected, we dispatched a service technician and the repair was completed in less than 8 hours.

This heavily damaged gearcase cover needed a quick turnaround. Our customer (since 1960) asked that we work around-the-clock and through part of a holiday weekend until complete. This project involved reattaching the shaft boss via metal locking and then line-boring and sleeving back to O.E.M. The entire project was completed on-time and below the quoted price. 

Turbulence created severe erosion of the base metal on this Pump Bell casting. We machined the eroded area away and prepared a pocket for a replacement piece of abrasive-resistant material. The replacement piece was machined to match the pocket and inserted with EPDM o-rings. A pressure seal was obtained and final machining of the piece was completed by matching the customer- supplied contour pattern.