A new dawn, a new perspective

by Keith Powell
An excavator with an MB Crusher bucket attached.

MB Crusher buckets and tools can revolutionize how construction and demolition waste is processed. — Photo courtesy MB Crusher

Effective solutions are constantly searched for in Construction & Demolition Waste (CDW) processing, but what if those solutions were right before our eyes?

Often it is just a matter of changing perspective, and not only the obvious fact that CDW is not really waste, but the realization that it is actually a huge resource, still to be exploited. The way waste is processed needs a new outlook.

Luckily often the answer is available, and the lesson learned is that strength comes from unity. In the world more and more people share their experiences to help others to achieve a better result, and the same applies to CDW processing.

After all, the environment we share will benefit from a streamlined recycling process — landfill is not the solution. The process of recycling is pretty straightforward — firstly, fine material is separated; subsequently there needs to be a volumetric reduction, a separation from any metals and the final removal of the light fraction. Crushing is considered the critical phase in this process for several reasons. And this is where those who have already found an easier way share their valuable experience, giving a new dawn to all.

Case 1

Steel reinforcement was a dramatic innovation of the 19th century. The bars add strength to the reinforced concrete; however, pillars and all the debris that contain iron are difficult to process, making the reclamation stage long and costly.

In the Hautes Pyrénées ( France) a combination of a crusher bucket BF80.3 with an iron separator and a New Holland excavator are pairing up to recycle the railway sleepers which have accumulated in the waste pile.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRHb9PI2tYk

The MB crusher bucket can work with any brand of excavator, utilizing their hydraulic system. The MB Jaw Crusher bucket is a cost-effective solution to separate concrete from iron. To facilitate this operation the suggestion is to load the bucket with an MB grapple and let the jaw and gravity do the rest. Alternatively, skilled operators can feed the bucket maneuvering the excavator. A magnetic kit can also be installed to facilitate the separation and salvaging of the metal.

Case 2

Brazil - Lightposts were accumulated in a warehouse, treated as waste due to the difficulty of the reclaiming process. But with the use of a Bucket Crusher BF60.1 mounted on a Case CX130B, these old posts were easily processed to extract the iron which was then resold. 

Companies using MB Crusher Buckets can have the opportunity to be ahead of schedule and within budget, even in jobs considered challenging.  Another way to optimize traditional crushers in reclaiming plants is to introduce uniform material, easily achieved by using the output material coming directly from MB crusher buckets and MB screening buckets.

Case 3

Paris (France) — strength comes from unity. This quote could not be more suitable to the case. In fact, to obtain different outputs in record time with an incredible saving in production cost, a MB Crusher Bucket BF135.8 feeds a screener already in place. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7KpGDIwayI

Pre-crushing the blocks, using the Volvo E700 70t excavator, permits a consistent input. Traditionally this operation would have required a wide size for maneuver and the use of more equipment. But extraction sites are changing, job schedules are tight and commitment to safety crucial. In this case, after the extraction, the silica needs to be reduced to be treated, the BF135.8 simply scoops it up and with jaws set to 0/120 the material is crushed directly into the screener mouth. One operator manages the entire chain safely from the excavator cab.

Case 4

Mexico - when there is huge extensions in the quarry it is necessary to have agile systems. The ideal fleet complement for big sites, like this one, has been identified in the MB-S18 screening bucket to process limestone with a Caterpillar 336D. By sifting the material before, not only hourly production rate increases but also, by using the excavators' hydraulic supply, impact on costs has been minimized. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeFycHkqTkM

Modern quarry management often has problems with logistics as to reach the fixed plant to process material requires many trips. MB units offer the key solution with the plug and work flexibility provided by its attachments.

Since the dawn of time, mankind has been looking for more productive ways to operate and each specific challenge requires specific solutions — therefore, combinations are considered countless and many have yet to explore their choice.

Each site has a key element in improving operations. Get in touch to learn the one suitable for you: www.mbcrusher.com

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