Tapojärvi Oy is a renowned international provider of mining and industrial services with a legacy that speaks for itself. Over nearly 70 years, the company has grown from a one-man transport operation into a global business, now led by the third generation of the founding family.
The company’s strong will, ability to execute, curiosity, and courage to face challenges are what keep Tapojärvi moving forward. It’s a company that’s always on the lookout for new opportunities and is determined to stay at the forefront of progress. Tapojärvi’s goal is to become the leading company in industrial circular economy by 2035—and Hydroline is proud to support them on that journey. While Tapojärvi’s challenges and ways of working may differ from Hydroline’s, both companies share a passion for delivering high-quality solutions to their customers.
Challenges
Tapojärvi operates an extensive fleet of mobile equipment to deliver its mining and industrial services. These machines often run in harsh conditions—both underground and in open-pit mines—making the work demanding and complex. The equipment operates around the clock in environments that accelerate wear and increase the risk of mechanical failure. Unexpected breakdowns can pose serious safety risks and, at worst, bring production to a halt—resulting in costly downtime. That’s why Tapojärvi is constantly seeking new ways to make its operations safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective..
Why HL Hydraulics?
In Tapojärvi’s operations, employee safety and machine reliability are key indicators of production efficiency. Modern machinery is equipped with built-in systems that monitor location and performance, but these alone are not enough—most mechanical systems are complex by design. Tapojärvi has used both OEM and third-party systems to monitor alerts and performance data. In addition, they operate their own platform to process incoming data from various sources. They’re also exploring systems that can accurately monitor real-time machine stress and identify the root causes of potential faults. To support this goal, condition monitoring systems have been installed in the equipment.
HL Hydraulics and Tapojärvi have collaborated for years through HL Hydraulics’ cylinder maintenance services and Hydroline Oy, Finland’s leading hydraulic cylinder manufacturer. Until autumn 2023, HL Hydraulics operated as a separate business unit within Hydroline. With a long-standing partnership already in place, expanding the cooperation into a broader collaboration was a natural next step.
How HL Hydraulics and Hydroline supported Tapojärvi
Following detailed discussions between HL Hydraulics, Hydroline, and Tapojärvi about the critical challenges involved, the decision was made to implement LEO—a system that provides essential, real-time data on the condition and performance of hydraulic cylinders.
The initial focus for LEO was on loader cylinders used in underground operations, where failures were suspected to be linked to high pressure. The scope was later expanded to include a broader feedback system for machine operators.
“LEO provides direct feedback to operators. It analyzes long-term usage data and combines it with information from other sources, such as production metrics. This allows us to extend the service life of the cylinder, rather than simply reacting when a failure occurs,” explains Project Engineer Saku Puhakka.
“The key benefit of LEO is the immediate feedback it provides to the operator. This not only supports correct machine use but also allows performance to be evaluated during the shift—not weeks or months later.”
LEO delivers a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for monitoring machine operation in real time while also gathering long-term insights. For both end users and equipment manufacturers, the system offers several clear advantages:
– Lifecycle monitoring of hydraulic cylinders
– Comprehensive fault diagnostics and early warning of potential failures
– Identification of safety-related risks
– Optimized processes and equipment operation
– Tracking of workload and overall efficiency
– Predictable and optimized maintenance
For Tapojärvi, LEO helps build a better understanding of machine operating limits—enabling operators to avoid damaging extremes, stay within safe parameters, and reduce the risk of unplanned downtime.
