A Savannah, Ga., paving firm has seen the profitability of its two batch plants increase by using recycled asphalt crushed in a plant made by Stedman Machine Co., Aurora, Ind.
Carroll and Carroll Inc. makes and lays asphalt, sells stone and operates two batch plants in Springfield and Macon, Ga. The company decided to install its recycling plant earlier this decade to handle reclaim asphalt that could be used to feed the batch plants.
Carroll and Carroll purchased a Stedman Grand Slam 3030 impact crusher with a maximum capacity of 30 tons per hour. Since installing the Grand Slam, the company has put about 125,000 tons of product through the Stedman Grand Slam at a cost of about 3 cents per ton, according to Vincent Morris, Carroll and Carroll’s plant superintendent.
To process the amount of product it does at a low cost per ton, the Grand Slam operates as both a primary and secondary crusher, and Morris says the company pushes the Grand Slam hard. “We run the crusher 8 to 10 hours per day non-stop. It is a real performer on the very, very abrasive granite we’re processing. It eats anything I put in front of it,” Morris says.
“On a daily basis we bust up about 200 tons to 225 tons with the Grand Slam,” Morris continues. “It does a lot of work..”
Describing the plant’s system, Morris says, “We have a wrap around system and use double deck screen. We start with a 6-inch by 6-inch product. What doesn’t go to size the first time through goes through again.”
The company runs a 9/16 mesh topping mix that goes to the final mix. They also run a 1-½ mesh base and binder mix that goes to the mixer for use with the hot asphalt. Morris says, “We don’t have any waste and we don’t have any rejects.”
Morris also credits the machine with having solid wear parts and low maintenance requirements. “In the 2-½ years we’ve had the Stedman crusher, we have only had to have four sets of breaker bars. If you do routine maintenance and take care of the hard face, the bars will last,” Morris said.
More information on Stedman crushers can be found at www.stedman-machine.com.