Lion Park Quarries in Lanseria has broken new ground with the commissioning of first-of-its-kind in Africa Terex WJ1175 electric wheeled jaw crushing plant.

As a fully electric drive operated crushing plant, the new Terex is a significant departure from diesel guzzling predecessors with a smaller price tag and requiring significantly less support and maintenance on site. Its powerful electric-driven jaws and materials handling components have so far also slashed running costs by nearly half of its predecessor’s energy costs.

Supplied locally by ELB Equipment, the Terex WJ1175 is a game-changer for mines and quarries with access to the national electricity grid or another similarly reliable source. With fewer moving parts and no hydraulics it is a simpler machine and as a result is less expensive to buy and maintain, while operationally the impressive electric drive operated crusher provides powerful and precise crushing operations, is considerably quieter and enhanced operator safety.

Fuel-bill savings

Johann Meintjes, who co-owns the quarry alongside his father, Johann snr, says the new machine is a revelation in terms of both outputs and efficiency. “Diesel bills for the predecessor Pegson XF Jaw Crusher were mounting up and added a considerable margin to the cost of our sand and stone products.

“The new machine’s electricity bills are about 40% less by comparison and with its bigger, more efficient crushing chamber it adds considerably to our sand and stone production. By contrast to the mechanically operated plant, which required servicing every 200 hours at a cost of over R20 000 each time and required it to be out of operation for approximately 5 hours, the new Terex requires only a daily brush-off and checkup in order to run flawlessly for years to come.

“Being mobile, it can also be hitched to a truck or loader and be taken to where the crushing is required depending on where mining is taking place.  Once in place the wheels also serve to anchor and dampen the vibration of the plant giving it a stable and smooth platform to operate from,” says Johann.

Way forward

He adds that the operation has been in existence for more than 30 years and has developed a special relationship with ELB Equipment which has lasted right from the very beginning. Although they always look at all new technologies from different suppliers, the vast majority of its equipment is procured from the company and the technical representatives service, support and importantly technical advice has played a decisive role in the success and growth of the quarry.

While the purchase of any plant of the quarry’s equipment is usually based on well-researched facts and figures, this time the purchase of the Terex WJ1175 was more of a “chance encounter” as Johann Snr passed ELB Equipment’s stock yard and noticed the unusual machine.

While he had effectively been scouring the world’s equipment suppliers to find a new crushing solution that fitted their requirements, little did he know that the right machine had already been brought into the country as a pre-launch demo. A few enquiries and the surprise price-tag later and the deal was signed.

Competitive advantage

“Here in the heart of the Northern Suburbs of Johannesburg we are in the midst of some of the most fiercely contested markets in the country. I believe that the acquisition of the new crushing plant effectively puts us in a better position than ever before with better product availability at sustainably lower prices.

“This kind of innovation and access to world-leading equipment from ELB Equipment is what set them apart and gives us the opportunity to always be one step ahead of our competitors. Service and support go without saying and with lower running costs, it sets us on a new path of profitability,” Johann concludes.

ELB Equipment, Wakefield Harding, Tel: (011) 306 0700, Email: WakefieldH@elbquip.co.za, Web: www.elbequipment.co.za