Sandvik Rock Processing, in partnership with its southern African distributor, S&R Enterprises, has launched its first dual-powered mobile machine in southern Africa, a tracked Sandvik QA452e triple deck sizing screen with Doublescreen technology.

Upon its arrival, the machine was immediately dispatched by S&R Enterprises to its owner, a contractor operating on a major dam project in Lesotho, where the machine has already been deployed to produce G2 and G5 material. 

PC Kruger, Business Line Manager Crushing at Sandvik Rock Processing, says the launch of the first Sandvik electric unit in southern Africa is in direct response to the apparent growing appetite for electric mobile crushing and screening solutions in the region. While the technology provides both cost and sustainability benefits, Kruger believes that the major driver in southern Africa to date is largely the need to reduce total cost of ownership.

“Customers in southern Africa are increasingly pursuing energy efficiency due to the significant financial benefits of reducing energy consumption, which is generally a major operational cost. Hybrid solutions, which can be powered by either diesel or grid electricity, offer significant fuel savings and more versatile operation, with the added benefit of reduced carbon emissions,” says Kruger.

According to Stephen Smith, MD of S&R Enterprises, the major talking point on the Sandvik QA452e screen is its hybrid “e” drive option, which provides the flexibility to operate in diesel or electric mode for lower operating costs and reduced carbon emissions. Powering the machine using an external electric source can bring several advantages, including lower running costs, extended drivetrain service intervals, reduced onsite emissions and noise levels.

“One of the major benefits of this technology is reduced maintenance costs,” says Smith. “The electric motor drive reduces the need for diesel engine servicing and hydraulic oil, increasing machine availability and reducing costs. In fact, the machine consumes up to 50% less hydraulic oil over 10 000 hours of usage. Consequently, hydraulic service intervals have been increased from 2 000 to 4 000 hours, subject to oil sampling.”

In addition, the standard Sandvik mobile equipment warranty has gone up from the traditional 12 months/1 000 hours to 24 months/3 000 hours, with extended warranty options up to six years, providing the much-needed peace of mind for customers.

The QA452e features Sandvik’s patented Doublescreen technology for high throughput and efficiency. It is a revolutionary design that utilises two high velocity screen boxes that work independently of each other; the primary screen works as a fines extractor, while the secondary screen operates as a grader.

“Doublescreen advantages over competing products include greater material control, greater adjustability, increased accuracy and higher screening efficiencies, making this unit ideal for producing massive volumes of high specification products, without compromising on productivity,” says Smith.

The patented Doublescreen design features three independent 20’ x 5’ (6 m x 1,5 m) screens, each providing a screening area of 9 m³/9,3 m², with the bottom deck being 11% longer for more screen area and fines extraction. Compared to conventional 20’ x 5’ screen boxes, the Doublescreen technology typically outperforms traditional screens by up to 30%. It also allows up to 42 screen angle options due to the two screen boxes.

“The arrival of the first Sandvik dual-powered machine marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and cost-effective future for the local mobile crushing and screening industry,” concludes Kruger.