Racecourse Projects recently engaged Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment's Mackay 'Infield Service Crew' to undertake emergency repairs to a damaged Valley Irrigation Centre Pivot Irrigator at their Sugar Cane Farm located in Marwood, QLD.

This project began, like most emergency repair jobs do with an unexpected call from our customer. Racecourse Projects rang the Dowdens Pumping Agricultural Sales Team to inform them a Cane Haul-Out Truck had struck the first span of their Valley Centre Pivot. The pivot was now hanging precariously and needed to be repaired immediately. Daryn Gray (Dowdens - Industrial Workshop [Engineering Support]) and Brett Hayes (Dowdens - Agricultural Sales) promptly attended the Marwood site and assessed the pivot. Dowdens advised the pivot needed to be supported or it may have collapsed further. Straightaway the Dowdens 'Infield Service Crew' were onsite to elevate and secure the damaged span.

After speaking directly with the manufacturer of the damaged Valley Centre Pivot (Valmont Industries - Australia) Dowdens confirmed with Racecourse Projects there were no suitable spans for that machine currently available anywhere in Australia. This meant repairs needed to be undertaken promptly before the machine potentially collapsed completely - making any further repair work impossible. Dowdens then promptly engaged a local subcontractor to work alongside the Dowdens 'Infield Service Crew' repairing the machine in situ (whilst still suspended in the air). As the repairs had to be effected whilst the machine was still standing, this required coordination between 2 cranes and a telehandler forklift, along with a man box (attached to the all terrain telehandler) for 2 men to carry out the repairs. All the repairs and commissioning of the irrigator were successfully completed within 2 days of the accident!

Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment [Mackay] are the sole authorised Valley Irrigation Master Dealers for the Mackay / Whitsunday region enabling access to the best possible pricing and product support, an unmatched range of spare parts & fast-turnaround repairs for all of our customers irrigators.

Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment's methodology for the Racecourse Projects Centre Pivot Irrigator Repair was: Fast Response Time - Cost Effectiveness - Fast Turnaround Servicing - Ease of Installation - Limiting Product Downtime - Enable Farming to Continue as per normal whilst the Dowdens 'Infield Service Crew' was onsite.

For over 40 years Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment have been selling & servicing irrigation products throughout Central & Northern Queensland - designing each and every system to improve farming efficiencies, reduce downtime and increase the longevity of pumps / irrigators. As a company that has built its foundation on the servicing and development of agricultural pumping systems, Dowdens Pumping and Water Treatment have the experience to engineer a solution to suit any agricultural application.

The entire project was overseen and managed by the Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment [Mackay] Agricultural Sales Team. The Dowdens Mackay-Whitsunday Agricultural Irrigation Team of Glenn Agnew, Brett Hayes, Jeff Roberts, Kevin Krog, Mike Sanderson, Eileen Mason and Nathan Cross are one of the most experienced Ag sales teams in Australia, with over 125 years of combined irrigation system design and operational experience between them.

Long-term customers Michelmore Grazing Company have recently purchased seven solar powered pumping systems from the Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment Mackay branch. All the solar systems supplied are used to pump water from onsite bores to poly water storage tanks, to then feed the properties multiple cattle water troughs. Some existing bores were used to replace dated diesel setups / windmills, along with some new bores being added to increase the total number of watering points for the cattle. Michelmore Grazing Co. purchased three Solar Pumping Systems for Fort Cooper Station and another four systems installed at Kainga Station.

This 6 month project saw Dowdens Mackay source, supply, install and commission a number of GRUNDFOS & MONO solar pumps, a MONO 2400 WATT Solar System (all used in conjunction with solar panels / frames) and undertake repairs on an existing Mono Diesel Pump system at Michelmore Grazing Co.'s Fort Cooper and neighbouring Kainga Stations (Nebo, QLD). The repairs carried out on the existing Diesel Driven Mono Helical Rotor Bore Pump involved replacing the rusted head housing with this pump now being used as a back-up for one of the new Solar Pumping Systems.

The high-quality GRUNDFOS & MONO Solar Pumping Systems have already delivered Michelmore Grazing Co. notable cost savings via a reduction in diesel fuel usage and a significant decrease in the need for ongoing diesel motor maintenance. Michelmore Grazing Co. now saves both time and money by not having to undertake laborious daily checks on the diesel pump sets fuel levels.

As a company that has built its foundation from the servicing and development of agricultural pumps and water treatment technology / applications, Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment have the experience to engineer a solution to suit any agricultural application. For over 40 years Dowdens have been providing customers with solutions-based technology - designed to improve efficiency, reduce downtime and increase longevity of products and systems. Dowdens provide affordable and efficient solar pumping solutions to help combat ever increasing electricity prices. From stock watering systems through to large scale broad acre irrigation our dedicated sales, installation and service crews have you covered. All systems are expertly designed to suit any site specifications, utilising a variety of efficient engine and electric pump units.

Key Project System Features:

• 4x GRUNDFOS SQF2.5-2 SOLAR PUMPS (these pumps can be run by a generator if needed)
• 1x GRUNDFOS SQF3A-10N SOLAR PUMP (this pump can be run by a generator if needed)
• 1x GRUNDFOS SQF5A-7N SOLAR PUMP (this pump can be run by a generator if needed)
• 1x MONO 2400 WATT SOLAR SYSTEM running 1x MONO SS062 PUMP
• Multiple 250 WATT SOLAR PANELS

FORT COOPER SOLAR SYSTEMS

Comet Bore:

• The largest of the systems is a MONO 2400 Watt Tracking Solar System, which delivers up to 40m³ per day from a bore feeding four tanks up to 8kms away. This system consists of three tracking arrays and a MONO SS062 Pump.
• Repairs were also carried out on the existing Diesel driven MONO Helical Rotor Bore Pump by replacing the rusted head housing. The pump is now used as a back-up for the new solar pumping system.

Yards Bore:

• This six panel GRUNDFOS Solar System was installed at Fort Cooper's main yards to transfer water from a bore to a high level tank which in-turn feeds the main homestead area and cattle yards. The system uses a GRUNDFOS SQF5A-7N Solar Pump and 6x 250 watt panels on a post mount delivering up to 30m³ per day.

One Mile Bore:

• A three panel GRUNDFOS Solar System was installed at the One Mile Bore supplying water 600m from the bore to a storage tank. The pump used was a GRUNDFOS SQF2.5-2 Solar Pump that delivers up to 17m³ per day.

KAINGA SOLAR SYSTEMS

Bruce's Bore:

• This is a six panel GRUNDFOS Solar System installed on Bruce's Bore delivering water to 3 poly tanks up to 2km away. The GRUNDFOS SQF2.5-2 Solar Pump can deliver up to 25m³ per day.

Donaldson's Bore:

• This is a four panel GRUNDFOS Solar System installed on Donaldson's Bore delivers water to a poly tank situated 300m away. The GRUNDFOS SQF2.5-2 Solar Pump can deliver up to 25m³ per day.

Cattle Creek Bore:

• This is a three panel GRUNDFOS Solar System installed on the Cattle Creek Bore delivers water poly tanks situated 500m away. The GRUNDFOS SQF3A-10 Solar Pump can deliver up to 25m³ per day.

Walter's Bore:

• This is a four panel GRUNDFOS Solar System installed on Walter's bore delivering water from the bore to a poly tank 500m away. The GRUNDFOS SQF2.5-2 Solar Pump can deliver up to 25m³ per day.

Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment's Mackay branch were engaged by longstanding customer Anglo American (Moranbah North Coal Mine Site) to deliver an innovative valve system that could help maintain the safe and reliable delivery of general purpose & fire water services to their ever-expanding underground mining operations. With growing demand for reliable water flow & pressures at ever-increasing operating depths, Dowdens decided it was time to design & produce a new generation 35 bar Dual Pressure Control Station, expanding our range of standardised pressure reducing valve stations.

Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment fabricate and fit out a range of standardised pressure reducing valve stations, but this station required a higher pressure rating not available with our standard 'off the shelf' systems that are available in 16 / 25 bar (35 / 40 bar rated systems are built to order). Dowdens have manufactured these products for many years to help our resource industry customers arrest any water pressure spikes and/or surges in pipe systems and to aid these mines operating within and remaining fully complaint with Queensland Government Mine Site Compliance legislation, standards & guidelines.

This new Dual Pressure Control Station has been built to optimise plant reaction speeds, allow for greater operating ranges from between 2 - 35 bar and is manufactured with high-quality, reliable and readily available components. The design needs for the new Dual Pressure Control Station were borne primarily from Dowdens detailed underground observations of hydraulic occurrences within the mines existing water network. Working closely with the mines water infrastructure operators Dowdens were able to engineer, manufacture and deliver a product that increased the reliability of their mine water supply systems and assist with premeditated preventative maintenance routines.

All design, fabrication, installation & commissioning of the 35 bar Pressure Reducing Valve Station was undertaken by Dowdens Mackay's in-house Engineering, Fabrication & Workshop Departments. With a history of successful installations over the past 20 years throughout the Queensland Mining Sector Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment have the ability to expertly design / manufacture / install and commission specialised pumping and water treatment solutions that are built primarily in-house & onsite to our client's specific unique requirements. Dowdens dedicated departments of industry trained engineers, draftsmen, project managers, sales staff and tradespeople including fitters, mechanics, polywelders, machinists, plumbers, electricians and boiler makers enable us to offer an unmatched range of world-class engineering solutions for any type of fluid handling project. We truly are Queensland's premier 'one-stop-shop' for pumping and water treatment systems!

At this projects inception Dowdens visited site to examine and document the specific operating requirements. After initial observations it was concluded that a wider operating range would be required for effective control of both the High and Low Flow demands and a higher adjustment range - meaning the standard Dowdens 25 bar Pressure Reducing Valve Station needed to be modified to suit this application. This higher pressure is not normally encountered with Queensland underground mine water supply systems so unique and customised hydraulic control layouts, pilots & hardware were seamlessly incorporated into the build by the Dowdens Mackay Workshop and Project Engineers.

This projects entire design, manufacture, installation & commissioning process was completed on budget and within a tight timeline of 4 weeks set by the customer.

Anglo American (Moranbah North Coal Mine) 35 bar Pressure Reducing Valve Station - Key Components:

• BERMAD WW720 PN35 Heavy Body Control & Relief Valves
• Hardy Spicer Hydraulic Hoses & Fittings

• Custom in-house design & drafting by Dowdens Mackay Projects Engineering team
• Custom in-house fabrication of all steel pipework

Aurizon Holdings Limited have engaged Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment [Mackay & Brisbane Branches] to deliver a Water Treatment Plant (WTP) at their Coppabella Township, located on the Goonyella Rail Corridor (the world's largest metallurgical coal rail system) - 159 kilometres South West of Mackay, QLD.

The township of Coppabella was primarily designed and built to service the junction of two railway lines (one from Goonyella Coal Mine and one from Saraji Coal Mine) and to provide accommodation to the regions coal mine workers in work depots. The town was established in three stages, with the first being completed in 1971, the second in 1977 and the third and final stage in 1984. The town is wholly owned and operated by Aurizon Holdings Limited and contains: stations, residences, single-quarters, work depots, hotel, a shop, swimming pool, football oval, caravan park, school, ambulance, fire brigade and of course the new Dowdens Water Treatment Plant which is capable of producing of up to 900kL of potable water per day.

Dowdens engineers and service crews designed, manufactured, installed and commissioned the Coppabella WTP to treat raw water to Australian Drinking Water Standards. As the Principal Contractor Dowdens were provided a set of feed supply water parameters coming into the WTP, and water quality requirements for the delivery of the town's drinking water. From these basics the $2.5 million project came to fruition. The Dowdens WTP replaced the existing water softening plant (located adjacent to the new WTP), whilst future-proofing the growth of the Coppabella township by increasing the WTP's maximum daily drinking water production capacity up to 900 kL/day.

The new WTP is completely automated and user adjustable via the GE Human Machine Interface (HMI) situated in the purpose built site Control Room / Office, minimising the need for direct operator interaction / intervention on-site. A dedicated remote monitoring / alert messaging system was also provided so that in the event of a critical alarm the EDAC 700 RTU will call the WTP Operators advising them of system alarm status via pre-recorded spoken messages.

Security of the WTP site was significantly improved with the establishment of a controlled compound restricting access to authorised personnel only (pictured below). Dowdens also eliminated the need for repetitive manual handling of typical WTP chemical consumables on-site (Salt, Liquid Chlorine and Soda Ash) via the integration of various bulk storage systems.

Dowdens were successful in the tendering process due to:

• The proximity of Dowdens head office [Mackay] and ongoing presence in the region
• Dowdens vast in-house engineering capabilities and proven competencies
• High level of detail provided in the preliminary engineering proposal
• Proposed Water Treatment Plants cost effectiveness

Dowdens coordinated the design, build and commissioning of the WTP from project inception through to final handover. This included, but was not limited to: preliminary design - detailed design - risk assessments (with client and consulting engineers) - preliminary civil works establishing the site (levelling site) - under boring Peak Downs Hwy for installation of raw water pipeline - installation of all underground services - pouring of slabs - construction of the Ion Exchange (IX) building - installation of process equipment - installation of all interconnecting pipework - electrical installation of control panel and field instrumentation / equipment - commissioning of instruments / equipment - commissioning of PLC program and HMI - successful completion of 'Proof of Performance' testing and all necessary operator training.

The inclusion of a unique Brine generation system was a novel approach that incorporated a salt bulk bag unloader (capable of lifting 1200kg bags - pictured below) and a proprietary piece of equipment from the USA [BRINE ExtremePro]. The IX system is flexible in its design and is capable of producing between 150 - 900 kL/day of potable water with the IX system constantly analysing and compensating for variations of incoming bore water hardness levels.

The existing water softening plant (located adjacent to the new WTP) and raw water supply needed to be retained during the new WTP construction. The old plant was decommissioned over a period of 3 months. Nearing project completion a wet weather event (February 2016) resulted in additional water flows through the WTP site causing some minor displacement / erosion of soil and stone that required a brief plant shutdown to rectify the damage. Dowdens performed this work efficiently and effectively eliminating any risk to the township's drinking water supply.

Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment design philosophy for this project was: Cost Effectiveness - Current Best Practice - Ease of Installation - Simple & Effective Plant Operation - Plant Reliability & Reduced Ongoing Maintenance.

Water Treatment Plants Key Components are listed below:

• Control Panel c/w HMI and Remote Monitoring / Automated Alert Messaging System
• Ion Exchange Process used for Bore Water Softening
• Raw and Treated Water Analyser Sampling Systems
• 2 Off Panel Storage Tanks (250kL & 500kL)
• Raw Water Pump Skid

• Brine Generation / Storage System c/w Overhead Bulk Bag Unloader
• Waste Water Distribution System c/w Tank & Pump Set
• Chlorine Dosing Pump / Storage System
• Soda Ash Pump / Storage System

Wesfarmers Resources, a significant Australian producer of metallurgical coal engaged Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment's Industrial Workshop [Mackay branch] to deliver fast-turnaround servicing to a large selection of DAVEY Water Products Vertical Multistage In-Line Pumps [pictured below] that are used onsite at their Curragh Coal Mine, located 30km north of Blackwater in Central Queensland. This servicing project presented a number of challenges for the Dowdens Mackay Industrial Workshop, none more important than the tight timelines in which these repairs needed to be completed.

These DAVEY Vertical Multistage In-Line Pumps play a crucial role in the operation of the mine as they are used in various dewatering applications and also to boost supply of water to all of Curragh Coal Mine's various processing areas - including the vitally important Coal Handling & Preparation Plant (CHPP). Wesfarmers are supremely confident in having their pumps serviced by Dowdens Pumping, because after many years of working together they know Dowdens always aim to provide the sale / service of suitable pumps that maximise service life and minimise power usage and downtime. Improving levels of equipment utilisation whilst reducing planned / unplanned maintenance downtime increases the overall productivity of a coal mine.

Wesfarmers Curragh Coal Mine is an open-cut coal mine that provides metallurgical coal for export markets and supplies steaming coal to the Queensland Government's Stanwell Corporation under a long-term contract. Stanwell operate two major electricity generation assets, the Stanwell Power Station located in Central Queensland and the Tarong Power Station, located in the South Burnett, Southern Queensland. Wesfarmers Curragh Coal Mine has a well-established and geographically diverse customer portfolio with a number of long-standing relationships with world-leading steel-makers.

Like with any pump that arrives to Dowdens Pumping - Mackay's Industrial or Domestic Workshop, these Davey VM Vertical Multistage In-Line Pumps were serviced using Dowdens established workshop repair procedures. It was these established procedures and highly regarded workmanship that prompted Wesfarmers Resources to award Dowdens this important servicing contract. Dowdens Pumping - Mackay are so confident in our Workshop Servicing Capabilities we offer a "12 MONTH WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEE" for any service completed in-house - this is by-far the best guarantee available in or around Mackay, QLD. All pumps were successfully serviced and returned to site within Wesfarmers specified deadlines, meaning less downtime for Curragh Mine's related water infrastructure.

A very brief synopsis of this projects Key SERVICING Procedures are listed below:

• Set up pump on work bench & preform suite of electrical tests on motor
• Remove motor from the pump wet end
• Once seperated, run the pump motor independently of pump wet end to establish & gauge motors efficiency
• Submit detailed quote to customer clearly illustrating what is required to repair motor/pump
• Once quote has been accepted immediately begin to repair motor/pump components

• Dismantle motor and replace worn bearings
• Dismantle wet end of pump - clean, strip & asses all components
• Repair and reassemble both motor and pump wet end
• Connect unit to the Dowdens 'Pump Test Bench' & check all pump curves/electrical operation is 100%
• Undertake final inspection before preparing pump for transportation back to Curragh Coal Mine

Since opening in Mackay back in 1973, Dowdens has grown to employ over 160 staff situated across 4 branches in Mackay, Proserpine, Rockhampton and Brisbane permitting us to confidently service customers throughout Queensland, nationally and internationally. Dowdens services now cover all aspects of water engineering and fluid handling resource management for the residential, commercial / industrial, agricultural and mining sectors. From project inception through to final commissioning - the team at Dowdens has the ability to deliver complete specialised long-term engineered solutions that are practical and innovative, ensuring our clients benefit from greater productivity and reduced downtime.

With dedicated departments of industry trained engineers, draftsmen, project managers, sales staff and tradespeople including fitters, mechanics, polywelders, machinists, plumbers, electricians and boiler makers - Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment offer an unmatched range of world-class engineering solutions for any type of water management project. We truly are Queensland's premier one-stop-shop for pumping and water treatment systems! CLICK HERE TO LODGE AN ONLINE PUMP SERVICE REQUEST, OR REQUEST AN OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE.

Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment [Mackay] have delivered yet another High Profile Soft Hose Boom Irrigator to a local Ilbilbie Sugarcane Farmer. Longtime Dowdens customer Brian Stevens operates a number of sugarcane farms in and around Ilbilbie, QLD. Due to lack of rainfall during the 2014/15 growing season, and a desire to lower his overall irrigation costs Brian decided to purchase a RAINSPAN SB2000 High Profile Soft Hose Boom Irrigator to better facilitate the irrigation of his cane.

Wanting to purchase his new irrigator from a dependable Queensland business Brian contacted the Dowdens Mackay Agricultural Sales Team - one of the most experienced Ag sales teams in Australia, with over 125 years of combined irrigation system design and operational experience between them. As a company that has built its foundation on the servicing and development of agricultural pumping systems, Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment have the experience to engineer a solution to suit any agricultural application.

Jeff Roberts from the Dowdens Mackay Agricultural Sales Team visited Brian's farm on a number of occasions to investigate, design and then match an irrigator and irrigation plan to best suit the 121ha property. Taking into consideration the terrain, the farms location (near the coastline - a high wind region), existing pump capabilities and source water availability shortages Jeff suggested Brian purchase a RAINSPAN SB2000 93m High Profile Soft Hose Boom Irrigator.

Sugarcane farmer Brian Stevens had for some time wanted to shift away from high pressure irrigation at his Ilbilbie farm, this was due in part to the high coastal winds the property endures year round playing havoc with his irrigation sprinklers. High pressure irrigation was no longer viable for this particular farm as it equated to water was being blown off crop, Brian's associated pumps working hard to deliver high pressure source water to existing soft hose irrigators and excessive mains power being consumed to run said pumps.

Moving from high pressure sprinklers to a low pressure RAINSPAN SB 2000 Dowdens has been able to deliver Brian considerable savings with his overall irrigation costs. The RAINSPAN SB2000 only requires approximately half the pressure to run compared to the previous high pressure irrigators. This has seen between a 30% - 40% decrease in farm irrigation electricity costs.

The low pressure RAINSPAN SB2000 Boom is far less susceptible to high winds, meaning Brian now has the potential to irrigate day or night, regardless of wind conditions. Essentially doubling his irrigation potential each day (the previous high-pressure system needed to be shut down during high winds experienced each night).

The RAINSPAN SB2000 Boom was found to be between 15% - 25% more efficient with its water application uniformity and distribution compared to the previous high pressure sprinkler irrigators. Simply put, Brian can now irrigate his sugarcane in a more cost-effective manner, utilising the limited water available to him more efficiently.

The RAINSPAN SB2000 is an extremely efficient and reliable low pressure irrigator that when installed and operated correctly saves farmers water, energy, time and money whilst increasing overall farm yields.

Key RAINSPAN SB2000 Boom Irrigator features listed below:

• Nelson R3000 Rotator Sprinklers were fitted specially to suit the windy conditions, giving a large wetted footprint & better instantaneous application rate
• Pulls 300m x 4" Snap-Tite Irrigator Hose (Dowdens are the sole authorised Snap-Tite hose dealer in Mackay, Whitsundays & Rockhampton)
• Gearbox for smooth safe operation specifically designed for the Irrigator - the most efficient in the industry
• A 93m boom was fitted to the RAINSPAN SB2000 - to seamlessly fit with farms existing lane spacings
• New Generation Turbines that are the best in the industry
• Hydraulic Boom Slew & Speed Compensator
• Made in Australia

For well over 40 years Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment have been selling & servicing irrigation products throughout Central & Northern Queensland - designing each and every system to improve farming efficiencies, reduce downtime and increase the longevity of pumps / irrigators. CONTACT US today and let us help improve your farms productivity while lowering your overall irrigation operating costs!