SAM Magazine-Pine Island, N.Y., Mar. 9, 2010-Partek has issued a service bulletin for Borvig lifts manufactured from 1975 to 1982. Affected chair grips from this era must be removed from service in stages due to issues with the jaw area on the main grip body. The bulk of these grips were supplied on Borvig lifts from 1976-1980; some lifts built in 1975 and in 1981-2 may not be affected, since they were supplied with a different model of grip.

According to Partek, Borvig had supplied 2,888 of the affected grips, and some have already been replaced. These grips can easily be identified: the main journal where the chair head attaches to the grip is 65mm in diameter, with two snap ring grooves, 24 spring washers, and welded metal grip guides on the grip body. The year of manufacture is cast in the grip as "75", "76", "77", "78", "79", and "80". Most were delivered in 1977, 1978 and 1979.

Models with pivoting metal grip guides or plastic grip guides are of more recent design and are not affected by this bulletin.

The cause of the failures is due to several factors, often in combination. Metal fatigue is the primary cause. In some cases, severe coining of the grip jaw, poor maintenance of bullwheel liners, gaps in bullwheel liners, and the use of hard urethane sheave liners have contributed to the failure. These grips have been in service for over 30 years and have endured many millions of cycles passing over sheave assemblies and around bull wheels.

The affected grips are to be replaced on the following schedule: one-third prior to Nov. 15, 2010, one-third prior to Nov. 15, 2011, and one-third prior to Nov. 15, 2012.

All existing grips must be NDT tested in order to establish how many grips have indications. If more than one third are found to have indications or severe coining, those additional grips must also be replaced prior to Nov. 15, 2010.

The remaining grips can be used until Nov. 15, 2011, at which time a another 1/3 shall be replaced, and a sufficient quantity of the remaining grips shall be tested that can be put in to service until Nov. 15, 2012.

Grips may be sent to Partek for testing or tested locally; contact Partek for NDT specifications. All grips must be cleaned of grease, paint and blasted to bare metal.

The replacement grips are a direct replacement; no modifications are required, according to Partek. Worn plastic bushings in the chair heads should be replaced prior to installing the new grips.

New replacement grips can use some of the existing hardware, such as spring washers, compression slugs, grip nuts with washer, and the 65mm collar. The new grips contain 32 spring washers; additional washers may be purchased. It is recommended (but not required) that all washers be replaced. However, existing spring washers that are rusted, broken, flattened or worn must be replaced.

New grips may be purchased completely assembled, or without the hardware. New grips will be supplied with one new snap ring.

The new grips have a hinged plastic guide instead of welded guides. The moveable jaws from the old grips are not interchangeable with the new grip body. Grips are to be entirely replaced, both the body and moveable jaw.

Available grip sizes are 1.125", 1.250" and 1.375". A few lifts may have 1.00" rope grips, these are not available. Such ropes shall be replaced with a 1.125" rope. "We are only aware of two lifts that may still have 1.00" rope grips of this type," said Partek president Hagen Schulz.

The lead time for replacement grips is 20 weeks.

Contact Partek to determine if your grips are affected by this bulletin. Partek will confirm the size of the rope on the lift and the size of the rope grip.

All owner/operators of Borvig Lifts with grips affected by this bulletin are required to inform any authorities having jurisdiction over such matters. Partek will transmit this bulletin via mail, e-mail and facsimile, to operators, authorities and regulatory agencies.

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