| THE first Metso HP4 crusher installed in Australasia has achieved impressive crushing efficiencies and increased capacity at Winstone Aggregates’ Hunua Quarry. The crusher was supplied by Mimico and installed during the Easter shutdown period this year. Winstone Aggregates national manufacturing manager Jason Lowe says the new generation crusher is achieving or exceeding all the performance targets set by the company. He says the original tertiary crusher was still running well, but struggled to adapt to a shift in market requirements. “We found that more of our customers, especially the readymix concrete and asphalt customers, were tending to go with smaller chip sizes. So we were seeing increased demand, especially for 10mm chip. “Our existing crusher was making too much 19mm and we had to recirculate the 19mm to get more 10mm. As a result of this extra load in the tertiary circuit, our throughput was limited, the crusher was working at full capacity and therefore the overall crushing circuit was not as efficient as we wanted,” says Lowe. The crusher was operating 18 hours a day, six days a week, with the rest of the time required for preventive maintenance – giving minimal flexibility to adjust to market demands. Winstone Aggregates have utilised Metso’s Bruno process simulation software for many years and staff began modelling the existing process using Bruno about three years ago. They modelled the existing process and calibrated it against actual measured inputs and outputs. Then they produced a number of Bruno models incorporating the Metso HP4, liaising with Mimico’s process equipment engineer David McCaffrey and Metso in Australia. Lowe says the new generation HP4 was the only crusher seriously considered. For a start, the HP4’s compact nature meant it was the only viable crusher that could fit the space vacated by the existing tertiary crusher. “And it was also the only crusher I had confidence in to give us the advantages we needed,” says Lowe. “If the HP4 had not been available, we would have most likely continued with what we had.” The crusher was delivered within two weeks of purchase. Excellent planning meant it was installed over a five day Easter shutdown period and was operational for the scheduled plant restart. The crusher met all of its agreed performance targets, and Metso’s performance guarantee testing was conducted, completed and signed off on the same day. “We found Mimico were extremely flexible in the range of purchase options available, and their backup was first class. I could tell straightaway that Mimico were as excited and committed to this project as we were and that gave me additional confidence that the project would be a success,” says Lowe. “For example, we had their top service technician dedicated to the project before, during and for two weeks after installation, to ensure there were no issues.” |
Winstone Aggregates has also agreed to a parts supply agreement with Mimico, meaning that the service and aftercare of the HP4 will continue for at least five years.
Contact: stefan@cranesales.co.nz |
