Sandvik Rock Processing, in partnership with its Southern African distributor S&R Enterprises, has launched its tracked Sandvik QA452e triple deck sizing screen for use on a major dam project in Lesotho.

Sandvik Rock Processing business line manager: crushing PC Kruger says the launch of the company’s first electric unit in Southern Africa is in direct response to a rising demand for electric mobile crushing and screening solutions in the region and the need for reduced 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,” explains Kruger.

The machine’s hybrid ‘e’ drive option 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 S&R Enterprises MD Stephen 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, Sandvik offers a 24 months/3 000 hours mobile equipment warranty, with extended warranty options up to six years.

The QA452e features Sandvik’s patented Doublescreen technology that utilises two high velocity screen boxes that work independently of each other, with the primary screen working 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 design features three independent 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. The Doublescreen technology is engineered for high throughput and efficiency and is said to typically outperform traditional screens by up to 30% and allow up to 42 screen angle options thanks to the two screen boxes.