Brooks Forgings recently completed a project for an engineering company involved in the refurbishment of Methil Docks, located in Methil, Fife, Scotland, on the northern shores of the Firth of Forth.

The project involved the removal and restoration of the dock gates, with the aim of replacing critical components to ensure continued service for many decades to come.

We were tasked with manufacturing specialised, fully bespoke M80 U-bolts, which are installed at the top of each lock gate. Commonly known as anchor collars, these are vital to the top hinge/pivot assembly. This type of assembly is widely used in canal locks and dry dock gate designs around the world.

Each U-bolt began as a straight blank, produced from fully certified S355 mild steel, measuring 80x80x3520mm and weighing 175kg. Both ends were turned and threaded to M80 x 260mm.

A hot bending process was required to shape the U-bolts, for which we constructed a custom furnace to apply heat precisely to the centre. Using bespoke tooling, jigs, and equipment, our specialist team successfully bent the U-bolts to an inner radius of 311mm. After inspecting the bend, a wearing plate was welded in place to complete the component.

Brooks Forgings is renowned for its extensive manufacturing capabilities, allowing us to produce fully bespoke components to meet customer specifications. If we can assist with your next project, don’t hesitate to contact our team of experts, who will be happy to help.