A leading global quarrying OEM is expanding its crushing plant assembly line capability, while a new mobile jaw crusher from another major international OEM is delivering impressive results for a leading UK crushing & screening equipment supplier. Guy Woodford reports.
The Speedline 1 assembly line currently in use at Metso’s Tampere factory produces in each working shift one Compact series mobile crusher weighing about 50tonnes. The new Speedline 2 line will increase the theoretical capacity by more than 30%.
“The delivery times of equipment models implemented on a line assembly method instead of today’s fixed assembly method will be significantly reduced. At the same time, we will release plenty of space for assembling the largest crusher and Lokotrack models in fixed assembly locations,” says Juha Erkkilä, the project manager in charge. “Due to the increasing demand for track-mounted mobile crushing plants, heavier and more complex models, such as the LT120, LT300HP/GP and LT220D will also be manufactured on Speedline 2, in addition to the current large volume models, such as the LT106 and LT1213.”
Erkkilä continues: “The parts to be assembled can be better accommodated in the more spacious hall, which improves occupational safety. A new elevated gangway will also be built in the project, allowing visitors to view the operations in the factory more safely and fluently.”
Metso is a leading manufacturer of mobile crushers globally. Typically, mobile crushing plants are used by contractors, which is why the equipment must be capable of being flexibly moved from one production site to another. Metso’s Lokotrack series combines over 30 years’ experience in developing mobile crushing equipment with latest materials and ease of use. The Lokotrack Urban series, particularly suitable for use in densely populated areas and even city centres, was launched in spring 2017. The new solution simplifies crushing operations, incorporates significant noise protection and cuts dust emissions remarkably, minimising the impact for people living and working around construction sites. The manufacture of Lokotrack crushers has been concentrated at Metso’s Tampere factories, while there is also production in India and China.
Scottish company AB2000 Ltd (AB2000) visited the
AB2000 specialises in the supply of both operated and self-drive machinery, including crushing and screening equipment, for the construction industry. Incorporated in 1995 by Adam Bruce, who has over 50 years’ experience of the operated plant hire industry, the company is now Scotland’s largest privately owned hirer of operated plant and equipment.
A longstanding customer of Sandvik, AB2000’s relationship started with the mobile crushing and screening manufacturer almost 15 years ago, with the
Already familiar with the Sandvik QJ341 mobile jaw crusher, Chris Brown, AB2000 general manager, visited Hillhead in June 2016 to see the latest addition to the range, the QJ341+, on display. This new model encompasses the same characteristics as the QJ341 but is fitted with a double deck pre-screen and a number of other features delivering improved efficiency, safety and operation.
Talking about the advantages of the pre-screen and other aspects of the QJ341+, Brown said: “I liked the idea of the screen and the improved production. In a recycling environment it gives us the option to produce a graded stone, a Type 1 material, which is popular with our customers. In a quarry environment we can scalp out the material and be a bit more accurate, so we’re not wasting as much of the raw product going into the secondary process.”
AB2000 has been very pleased with the increased production made possible by the QJ341+ jaw crusher, as well as its ability to lower the company’s cost per tonne. Brown continued: “At Hillhead Sandvik were stating an increase in production of 30% with the QJ341+. We are actually running somewhere in the region of 300-350 tonnes per hour in comparison to the QJ341 which was doing 150-200 tonnes per hour, so production’s well up as far as I’m concerned and I’m more than happy with it”.
AB2000 is currently using the QJ341+ on a crushing contract at a limestone quarry. There, the model is processing 25,000tonnes of crushed stone for a blend going into the site’s concrete plant. The -500mm raw material is fed into the QJ341+ which is then crushed down to 4” and fed into a cone crusher with a CSS set at approximately 25-28mm. The crushed limestone is then fed into a double deck screen and reduced to a clean 20-25mm product.
For a plant hire company, key benefits of the Sandvik QJ341+ are mobility, quick set-up and ease of operation. “After arrival on site, the machine can be tracked into position, hopper wings folded up, jacking legs down, adjust your jaw and away you go. It’s very, very straightforward” said Brown.
One new feature on the QJ341+ that AB2000 particularly likes is the self-locking hopper. The hydraulically folding design eliminates the need for an operator to climb onto the machine. It is therefore easier, quicker and safer to set-up as this can all be done from ground level.
Another feature the company likes is the control system which is common across the Sandvik Premium range of crushers. The machine is fitted with a PLC control system and a colour screen which allows visual data output of all plant operating parameters. This is simple to operate and AB2000’s fitters are well versed in the running of the firm’s fleet, making for an easy progression from one model to the next.
Over the years AB2000 has built up a reputation as a leading plant hire company in Scotland and therefore needs a reliable equipment supplier. Brown concluded: “The backup and aftersales support of the machines is pretty good. Generally any problems that we have on site, we phone in and there’s a fitter sent to site ‘tout suite’“.
Seven new models from the Northern Ireland-headquartered global selling manufacturer were among 21 machines on show at Alex Brewster & Sons’ Craigpark Quarry on 15-16 June.
The new models comprised three new crushers: the J-1170 (direct drive) jaw crusher; the J-1160 jaw crusher (hydrostatic drive); and the I-120RS impact crusher; two new conveyors: the TC-80 and TC-100; a new high level stacker; and the new 684 3-deck inclined screen.
One attendee, Frode Hauesvaer, of Frode Hauesvaer Mashin, a quarrying company based near Bergen in Norway, was particularly interested in the new 684 3-deck inclined screen.
“It’s not so big and it can be easily moved, and you can recirculate oversize material,” said Hauesvaer. “It’s important for me to see live any machines I may want to buy.”
Indi Singh, area sales manager of Central Crushing & Screening Services Ltd, a plant hire firm with sites in Castle Donington and Sheffield, England, said: “It’s a well organised event. We’ve ordered a C-1540 cone crusher. It’ll be our first Terex Finlay model. We like its robust and reliable crushing chamber. The crusher will be used in various applications.”
Terex Finlay’s new second generation 684 3-deck inclined screen was being previewed at the International Open Days prior to its global launch in late 2017. For ease of on-site movement and rapid set-up and tear down times, the overall machine and conveyor folding design has been simplified and reconfigured. The machine retains the original screenbox that features three large 4.3m x 1.7m inclined screens, offering a large screening area of 21.92m².
Additionally, the 684’s fourth (oversize plus) conveyor provides variable tilt and slide slew capability to accurately discharge materials for recirculation to crushers or for stockpiling. Optimum utilisation of the three 4.3m x 1.7m decks is said to provide ultra-efficient screening capabilities, even at small aggregate sizes.
EvoQuip has launched a new addition to its impact crushing range, the Cobra 230 impact crusher.
The Terex brand offers a comprehensive portfolio of products for the compact crushing and screening markets, including construction and demolition; asphalt recycling, and quarrying or contract crushing.
“The Cobra 230 impact crusher is a machine that provides class-leading productivity, unmatched versatility and excellent fuel efficiency,” says Matt Dickson, EvoQuip, product line director.
“The quick set-up times, simple intuitive operation and ease of transport make this machine an ideal solution for all applications.”
The Cobra 230 has been on test with J & V Construction in Ireland, where Gerd McCann, J & V construction director, says: “The EvoQuip Cobra 230 has managed to surpass our expectations, handling a mix of difficult rock and heavy-duty recycled concrete with ease, and turning it into products we have been able to reuse on our construction sites.”
EvoQuip says that the rapid set-up time and intuitive control system on the Cobra 230 enables the operator to be crushing minutes after unloading the machine from the truck. The operator can also adjust the crusher setting easily without the need for any tools using the user-friendly hydraulic assist that is standard on the machine.
There are key design features in the Cobra 230 that ensure an optimal material flow through the crushing process.
As material moves from the feeder through the impactor onto the product belt each section becomes wider, ensuring an unrestricted flow.
“The excellent under crusher clearance, the short distance from the crusher discharge to the magnet and the ability to lower the product conveyor while running make the Cobra 230 the ideal machine in all applications,” says EvoQuip.
The Cobra 230 uses a fuel efficient and high-performing direct drive system to power the impact crusher, and this together with the two independent hydraulic-controlled aprons allows the operator to optimise the material throughput and reduction while ensuring the best fuel efficiency.
EvoQuip says that serviceability has been integral throughout the design and development of the Cobra 230, and with ground level access to the engine, hydraulics, service and refuelling points, it ensures easy maintenance for the operator
“The compact footprint makes the Cobra 230 easy to transport and also makes it an ideal machine for working in urban areas,” says EvoQuip.
“EvoQuip machines can come directly to site to crush and screen the waste from demolition projects. “When customers are not farming they can use EvoQuip equipment to demolish old farm buildings, process material for lanes, driveways or drainage projects. Certain models in the range can even be transported on an agricultural trailer and can overcome access issues on narrow lanes, country roads and remote access sites.”
Laurini Officine Meccaniche’s new Vulcano Smart model is a screening padding machine said to guarantee hourly production of up to 200m³, thanks to its
The high reliability of the Vulcano Smart is said to make it an extremely versatile machine, suitable for many different types of terrain and adequate for multi-track configurations.
“We have a different and distinctive view of the production of earthmoving and pipeline equipment” said Marco Laurini, president of the company. “Our approach is totally different: we focus on our ability to correctly interpret the needs of the customers and turn their ideas into working machines.”
With the company based in
With a long history in Parma province,
