In the build-up to the global launch of crushing and screening equipment supplier Egelquip’s new coal and ore processing crushing bucket, CEO Brendan Geoghegan highlights that the bucket will eliminate a complete phase of coal ore-processing within the coal industry.

Specially designed for the rigorous South African coal mining market, the ALLU DH4-23 X55mm crushing bucket will become available to customers next month.

Geoghegan says a live demonstration of the crushing bucket will be held over a three-day period at a working mine in eMalahleni, in Mpumalanga, with details to be provided closer to the launch date.

The demonstration will show the bucket in full operation, enabling potential customers to see it in action, address any questions to Egelquip’s team and asses its integration potential into an existing equipment portfolio and operations.

The bucket can crush coal to 50 mm, eliminating the need for additional machines, and reducing costs.

The ALLU DH4-23 X55mm has been designed in conjunction with screening and crushing bucket manufacturer Allu to specifically fit what Egelquip believes is the equipment most commonly used at local operations – a 50 t excavator.

The implement is a “powerful hydraulic attachment for excavators and wheel loaders which processes, crushes, screens and loads product in a single, streamlined application,” he says.

The 3.5 t crushing bucket comprises four barrels that increase the bucket size to hold 5 m3 of material.

It can load 5 t of coal at a time and is 2.3 m wide, resulting in a cycle time that is less than a minute.

“The bucket’s size, carrying capacity and flexibility make it a crushing, screening and refining workhorse,” says Geoghegan, who believes that it has the potential to be used on both smaller and larger machines, based on demand.

From Concept to Delivery

Egelquip’s team recently met with Allu CEO Peter Gronholm and Allu strategic sales director Fredrick Dromburg to discuss the introduction of larger mining buckets, specifically for the domestic coal industry.

Consequent to this brainstorming and design session, the ALLU DH4-23 X55mm was conceptualised for manufacturing.

“The bucket will also be suitable for gypsum and limestone processing, but the focus will be on coal, owing to its game-changing potential,” says Geoghegan.

While only one ALLU DH4-23 X55mm bucket will initially be showcased at the mine, Egelquip will be using the launch, and the market interest it generates, as a business model for how many buckets to import and be held in stock at any time, he adds.

To facilitate the integration of the ALLU DH4-23 X55mm bucket with the operational mechanisms of a client’s specific item of machinery requires the installation of a custom adapter plate. Egelquip will start manufacturing this plate in-house at its facility in Boksburg, Gauteng.

“Our technical team has the capacity to perform a comprehensive assessment of the operational dimensions and specifications of the client’s equipment,” says Geoghegan.

The implementation of this adapter plate will allow for the seamless attachment of the screening bucket, effectively substituting the standard bucket used by a front-end loader or excavator, consequently optimising compatibility and operational efficiency.

To mechanically power the ALLU DH4-23 X55mm bucket requires its being connected to an excavator’s third function hydraulic system; however, should the excavator not be equipped with the requisite hydraulic functionality, Egelquip, in conjunction with hydraulic systems installer Walch Engineering, will retrofit the required hydraulic power packs to the excavator.

Nonetheless, many contemporary 50 t excavators have third function hydraulics preinstalled, with a significant number of 22 t and 36 t excavators also equipped with this capability.

“The bucket is designed to be a plug-and-play solution, requiring only an adapter plate and the third hydraulic function,” he adds.

Adding to the Group

The crushing bucket will complement Allu’s current product line, which includes various screening buckets tailored to different machinery sizes and industrial sectors.

The product line includes the DL-series of screening buckets which is designed for smaller applications, compatible with skid steer loaders or tractor-loader-backhoes, while the D-series screening buckets accommodate excavators ranging from 20 t to 50 t.

The M-series caters to large-scale mining operations, supporting mining-specific excavators from 75 t to 200 t, with these buckets being able to hold up to 30 t.

“This innovative bucket is poised to address the growing demand for efficient coal processing. “The coal sector currently makes up 15% to 20% of Egelquip’s business, and we are confident that the new crushing bucket will be spearheading our growth in the sector even further,” concludes Geoghegan.

Video Blurb

To watch a video in which Egelquip CEO Brendan Geoghegan discusses the ALLU DH4-23 X55mm crushing bucket, its design for the South African coal sector and its mid-April launch, scan the barcode with your phone’s QR reader, or go to ‘Video Reports’ on www.miningweekly.com

Recording: Halima Frost. Editing: Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 27-02-2025