Why scrap everything to buy new when you already own classic machines with unmatched robustness and precision?
How do you integrate modern technology into existing equipment? That’s what we call “retrofitting.”
That was the common-sense approach taken by our client, S3 - Smart Seismic Solutions. To meet the requirements of a major deep geothermal energy tender in the Netherlands—which involved strict urban constraints—they chose to refurbish four lightweight Prakla vibrator trucks from the 1980s.
The only snag? These machines had undergone ten modifications over 40 years, and no up-to-date schematics existed. But at AAZ Union, when a task seems impossible, that’s when we step in. It wasn’t just about restoring them; it was about upgrading them to meet modern demands, particularly regarding emissions standards.
Max and Mickaël put on their “technical detective” hats. They dismantled the first machine from top to bottom to recreate the electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics from scratch.
It wasn’t easy, but this is exactly the kind of project that challenges us and helps us grow—making the final result all the more satisfying. – Max
Our mission is to provide agile, bespoke, and sustainable solutions. What gives us the edge on a challenge like this is the synergy of all our trades at a single location:
- Diagnostics & Mechanics
- Electrotechnics & Pneumatics
- Turning, Milling, Welding & Painting
The result: A modernized fleet that meets current standards, based on shared specifications validated right here in our workshops by Arnaud Lecureuil, Fleet Manager at S3.
Simplifying complex issues for our clients while avoiding industrial waste—a perfect demonstration of our “commando team” spirit!