Rock Products

OCT 2012

Rock Products is the aggregates industry's leading source for market analysis and technology solutions, delivering critical content focusing on aggregates-processing equipment; operational efficiencies; management best practices; comprehensive market

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FEATURE L ADER L GIC O PROSPECTIVE BUYERS CAN LOWER COST OF OWNERSHIP BY CONSIDERING WHAT SIZE BUCKET AND MACHINE ARE BEST, AS WELL AS ATTACHMENT VERSATILITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND SUPPORT. By Mark S. Kuhar ne of the easiest mistakes to make when considering a new wheel loader is assuming that you need the same size machine. The decision about the machine typically comes first and is based more on your experience than its specifications. It is usually followed by the selection of a bucket. That approach, said Doosan Product Manager Chad Ellis, is just the opposite of how you can most effec‐ tively evaluate a wheel loader for your routine work. O "Machine specifications may change over time; however, a machine's model number may not. Jobsite condi‐ tions may also change. These two mis‐ takes can hurt productivity because they may result in having a machine that is too small to properly handle the material, or is too large and ineffi‐ cient," Ellis said. "The key topic in a wheel loader pur‐ chase is knowing what material you'll be moving with it," said Shane Rear‐ don, Doosan wheel loader product specialist, "and then specifying a bucket and a machine that will not only deliver performance, but will be supported for long‐term satisfaction." Prospective buyers can lower cost of 26 ROCKproducts • OCTOBER 2012 ownership, Ellis suggests, by taking a closer look at those aspects, as well as attachment versatility, productivity and support. He and Reardon offer the following checklist of factors to con‐ sider when specifying a wheel loader to perform mining and quarry work. 1. Material Density Determines Bucket Choice. A wheel loader's bucket is typically its biggest revenue generator, so its size and capacity is important; but what it carries actually matters more than you may think. A bucket properly matched to its material and partnered with adequate lift capacity and dump height could reduce the number of passes needed to fill trucks. "It's important to first determine daily production targets. The next step is to look at the density of the material and match it to the size and capacity of a bucket, and then look at the machine needed to get that job done," Ellis said. He points out that while producers may be working with multiple mate‐ rial densities – sand one day, rock the next – it's important to spec the bucket based on the heaviest material it will handle. For instance, with ma‐ chines designed for finish production in a quarry or mine, operators are often working with aggregate ranging from fine sand to large rock. "It's important to calculate for varying densities. Materials like sand that ab‐ sorb moisture will be heavier wet than dry. Additionally, clean, washed aggre‐ gate densities can vary greatly from base fill densities. "Instead of free space in between the rocks, there's mass. You need to recognize the high‐ end density values of material in the work environment," said Ellis. 2.Bucket Selection Determines Machine Choice. For mining and quarry work specifi‐ cally, the two most common buckets used in the industry are rock buckets (spade nose front) or general purpose. For producers that frequently work with a wide range of material densi‐ ties and need to meet certain produc‐ tion rates, a second type of bucket may be necessary. "If you have a more abrasive applica‐ tion, you may want to look at a heavy‐ duty bucket that has some additional replaceable wear parts or ground en‐ gaging tools. Your bucket may need teeth or another type of cutting edge to be more productive," said Ellis. Once daily production rates, material www.rockproducts.com

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