A custom solution in an australian quarry
An interesting case history from Australia shows that Indeco do more than just selling their own excellent products, and aim to satisfy all of their customers' needs.
The setting was the basalt quarry at the Northern Quarries site in Epping, Victoria, which for 12 years has been producing concrete aggregates and Class 1, 2 and 3 crushed rock for roads construction.
When Northern Quarries built a new Primary Crusher Module comprising a single toggle jaw crusher and hydraulically powered reciprocating plate feeder, they realised that to guarantee high production, any blocking, jamming or bridging of rocks in the jaw or on the feeder must be quickly eliminated.
Indeco Australia, a preferred supplier to this quarry for twelve years, were called upon to resolve the problem with a custom-designed system – a hydraulic arm and pedestal assembly mounted with an Indeco HP 1500W capable of removing the oversize rock. Quite a challenge, further complicated by the fact that quick and easy maintenance and operation of the crusher was critical.
The solution was to mount the entire unit, including the hydraulic pack, onto a purpose-built frame attached directly above the hopper, with a 4-metre long arm. No expensive mounting tower was required, plus the hydraulic power pack operating the feeder had enough capacity to also operate the arm assembly.
The Indeco custom-built design enabled a huge saving in building material, costs and time, but most importantly delivered a more efficient and productive system that is easy to operate. Another innovative design of the system is that it can be operated from the mounting point of the arm – which gives an unrestricted view of the crusher jaw, or by mobile radio control which can view any blockage via cameras viewed from the remote operating cabin.
The remote camera system not only adds to the safety of the operator, but also allows the quarry to work in all weathers. When a rock bridges the feeder, you can clearly see what’s happening, break the rock and quickly get the system going again
Plant operator Mark Hutchinson has been impressed by the performance, “It is so quick and simple to use, I actually enjoy operating it” and the Indeco HP 1500W breaker has adequate power to easily handle any oversize basalt rocks blocking the crusher or feeder.
