Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/301563
AGGREGATES MANAGER May 2014 12 accommodate high-impact loads mixed with recycled waste and debris. Stockpiling It looks like "just" a pile of rock, but stock- piling is an art. Essentially, this is what producers work for — large piles of neatly sorted, valuable product that is ready for selling, using, or building. The cone-shaped piles are formed of ton after ton of material, and, the taller the cone, the wider the base, and the more tonnage the entire pile contains. This ad- ditional tonnage is the reason why stock- piling height is so important. A stockpile consisting of a typical rock mixture might hold approximately 228 tons if the pile is 8 feet high with a top width of 2 feet and a base width of 16 feet. By increasing the height of the pile by only 9 inches, the total weight of the stockpile will increase 29 percent, to approximately 295 tons. Higher stockpiling capabilities serve as a time saver, as producers can run for longer periods without having to move mate- rial. This is why screener conveyors with the potential to stack even 8 to 10 inches higher can make a significant difference in an operation. Conveyors Conveyors take quite a beating. Conveyors commonly incorporate rollers, which can be hot spots for damage and reduced wear life when large materials are being processed. Rollers can break under the pressure, and belts become punctured. As an alterna- tive, some manufacturers offer an impact or sleigh bed conveyor. These conveyors provide more support and are more durable to handle heavy products such as large rock. The impact bed is solid and runs the width of the conveyor to best accommodate the impact of material and prevent belt damage. Further, most discharge conveyors mea- sure about 48 inches wide. The industry offers belts up to 63 inches wide, which helps prevent clogging. Because the screener is wide and gets funneled down to the conveyor, ma- chines with smaller conveyors create a bottle- neck effect. The material begins blinding in the corners, narrowing the opening. This cre- ates productivity and maintenance problems, forcing producers to shut down and clean it out. Look for a machine that has less (or no) restriction as it transitions onto the discharge belt. A free flowing machine with a low drop height is the best option to minimize wear and keep productivity elevated. Machine design Producers can get more bang for their buck when they choose a machine that is taller, bigger, and more rugged. More robust machines often offer features that boost convenience and productivity, such as larger access areas. Double paneled engine compartments allow mechanics more space when performing service on the machine. Dual fuel nozzles provide fueling access from both sides of the machine — a big advantage when working on a smaller site. Some manufacturers build units with ac- cess to the engine from both sides, as well. This way, when the unit is parked along- side a wall, fueling and maintenance can still be performed from the opposite side. Customer support Customer support becomes pivotal when parts or repairs are needed. The avail- ability of wear parts and service can make or break an operation's numbers for any given month. Choose a manufacturer with a good reputation not only for quality equipment and durable components, but also for quality customer service. Some companies offer 24-hour online parts look up and ordering with live service support. Along those same lines, consider the equipment warranty when making a screener selection. Countdown to the purchase Purchasing the wrong screener can cause problems, slow production, and result in revenue losses. Taking the time now to sift through the facts and separate the good from the bad will prevent headaches, down- time, and loss of production later. AM Sean Donaghy is the national sales manager at Irock. He has more than 20 years of expe- rience in the crushing business and has been with Irock for seven years. Impact or sleigh bed conveyors provide more support and are more durable for handling heavy products like large rock. The impact bed is solid and runs the width of the conveyor to best accommodate the impact.