Mobile crushing and screening equipment specialist Pilot Crushtec
will launch its new tracked 2X1000 Tornado crusher at Electra
Mining 2004, which will run from September 6 to 10 at the Expo
Centre at Nasrec, in Johannesburg. Pilot Crushtec MD Sandro Scherf
tells Mining Weekly in an exclusive interview that the tracked
2X1000 model is an upgraded and modified version of the
company’s first-generation range of Tornado crushers, which
the new machine will replace. He says that its launch follows the
implementation of a research and development programme, carried out
at the company’s factory, that took more than 18 months, and
cost over R2-million. As a first of its kind in South Africa, Pilot
Crushtec’s new vertical-shaft impact crusher is a larger
version of its first-generation counterpart, and is hecost of sand washing plant in indiaavier and
more solid in its construction, reports Pilot Crushtec sales
manager Graham Kleinhans.
He says that it has many design features that improve productivity,
reduce downtime and enhance maintenance accessibility. Moreover,
with its chassis now track-mounted in line with modern-day crushing
equipment, as opposed to the static model of its predecessor, it
has far greater versatility and mobility.
According to Kleinhans, there is an evident trend in the industry
to move towardcone crushers for manganeses more mobile equipment.
The machine is locally designed and manufactured by Pilot Crushtec
at its factory, in Jet Park, east of Johannesburg. Kleinhans adds
that the machine was manufactured primarily for export; however, it
will also be marketed locally.
Pointing to some of the features of the new machine, Scherf says
that a significant advantage is its ability to provide the option
to operate as both an autogenous crusher (rock-on-rock), and as a
true vertical-shaft impact (VSI) (rock-on-ststandard operating procedures for cone crusherseel) crusher.
“It has automatic V-belt tensioning that enables the V-belt
to stay permanently in tension, which, in turn, enhances the drive
system. “Access to the V-belt area is made easier by hinged
swing-away discharge chutes.
“The crusher housing has a hydraulic opening, turning what
previously was a 20-minute operation into a three-minute
operation,” indicates Scherf.
He explains that a significant safety feature is the geastandard operating procedures for cone crushersr-box-based
swing-away system for the crusher housing cover. The machine comes
standard with catwalks surrounding the entire crusher, thereby
allowing easy access to any part of the unit.
Describing the technical specifications of the machine, Scherf says
the new track-mounted unit comprises four modules. The first is a
variable-speed belt-feed hopper, the second is the Tornado, the
third is the discharge conveyor and last is the power pack, which
is a 255 kW John Deere engine that driimages of chromium processingves a hydraulic power system,
which provides up to 200 kW of power to the crusher.
“The hydraulic load-sensing system is designed to provide
high flexibility and good regulation characteristics and is
energy-saving, as it only draws the amount of power required by the
crusher,” Scherf points out.
The unit has a feed-size capacity of up to 120 mm, giving it a 100%
increase on the first-generation Tornado crushers. The
machine’s throughput capacity of up to 250 t/h, generated by
its new rotor, reflects a 35% to 40% increase over the previous
model. “The entire machine is PLC controlled, which provides
on-line continuous fault diagnostics, as well as start-up and
shut-down procedures, while also providing control and regulation
of the machine. “This not only results in less operator
involvement but also reduces the required levels of operator
training,” Scherf points out.
He says that, while the modifications to this machine take it to
the forefront of VSI crushing technology, it is a simple machine to
operate, and on which to carry out faultfinding. Kleinhans explains
that the company’s Rubble Buster, which is a complete mobile
loading, crushing and stock-binding machine, started out as a
skid-mounted electric machine, and over the last couple of years,
it has gradually evolved into a more efficient track-mounted,
diesel-driven machine.
The Rubble Buster is aimed at the recycling industry. It is fully
mobile, one person can operate it, and everything on the machine is
fully atomised.
It is primarily an export machine, although the company has sold
four machines locally over the last couple of months. Kleinhans
attributes this boom in local sales to the ever-increasing
awareness of the importance of recycling.