Kilauea Crushers Inc., of Phoenix, is Arizona’s largest supplier of decorative stone, which is used primarily to line freeways and commercial and residential developments.
In addition, some of the fines from crushing go to make infield dirt mix for major league and spring training baseball fields. The company was founded in 1982.
In August 2004, Kilauea purchased a 16- by 5-ft. Powerscreen Chieftain 1800 triple-deck, track-mounted hydraulic screen to boost production and profits. It was so satisfied with the choice that it purchased a second machine in June 2005. But choosing the type, size and brand of the first machine involved a long, exhaustive process. There were so many factors and so many machines to consider. Which one would be best for its particular kind of operation?
Kilauea Owner and President Bill Nichols and his staff did a thorough investigation, talking to manufacturers, dealers and present users of various screening plants. They narrowed the choice down to two applicants: the Powerscreen Chieftain 1800 triple-deck, tracked screen plant and a competitive brand of the same type and size.
“We felt these two machines offered us the best possibilities for greater, more dependable production and optimum profits in an increasingly competitive market,” said Nichols.
“Ours is a situation where production efficiency becomes more and more crucial all the time, and where high maintenance costs and unexpected downtime can make the difference between profit and loss.
“Suppliers like us need to give customers maximum quality products at competitive prices and still make an acceptable profit. We decided to bring both competing machines in for a test run and then make our decision. After two days of demonstrations, the choice was obvious. We purchased the Chieftain 1800 triple deck.”
Kilauea General Manager of Crushing Operations Jim Nichols outlined the main purchase decision factors, “Greater production was the first consideration. The Chieftain 1800 out-produced the other test machine by more than 10 percent. The Chieftain is a much heavier constructed machine. The screen angle is hydraulically adjustable, allowing greater finished product flexibility.
“The main conveyor is also hydraulically adjustable, which gives a more precise material feed and easier screen changing. And the middle deck chute can be bypassed for greater product blending.”
The Chieftain 1800 triple-deck Kilauea purchased in 2004 is operating with the grid removed and an extended hopper installed to handle a maximum crusher run from the conveyor. The middle deck chute has been fitted with a door to allow blending of material with the bottom deck. The upper midsize conveyor is not being used.
The second plant, purchased in 2005, is set up somewhat differently. All three decks are being used. The top deck feeds material back to the crusher for a second run. The middle deck is set for 1-in. screened rock and has no blending door. The bottom deck is set for .5-in. screened rock.
“One thing we really value is the Chieftain’s mobility on site,” Bill Nichols said, “and the 15-minute setup time. It’s quick and easy to move around when we want to reconfigure circuits to meet blending specs. The screening action handles fines so well, too. And the Chieftain performs extremely well in wet, sticky conditions, due to large bearings. It doesn’t rain a lot here; but when it does it’s a downpour, and things turn to muck in a hurry. Even then, we don’t lose much production efficiency at all.
“The Chieftain 1800 triple-deck is giving us everything we expected and more: production, dependability, low maintenance, products that meet specs precisely.
“Another vital purchase consideration for us was having a dealer who could help us spec the right machine, show us how to run it for maximum performance and long service life, and provide parts and service right when we need it. We have all that in S & L Equipment in Phoenix. We’re thoroughly pleased with the Powerscreen all the way around.”
Chieftain 1800 triple-deck screens are capable of producing up to 500 tph, depending on mesh size and material type. The 16- by 5-ft. screen unit is huck bolted instead of welded and is mounted on 12 springs. The unit has a very aggressive .4 in. throw (.35 in. under load). The oversize chute is hardox lined. The plant is designed and built for maximum access and for low maintenance, such as 500-hour oil changes due to oil-bath bearings.
The angle-adjustable tipping grid is radio controlled via double-acting tipping grid rams and features integral loading and wing plates. A vibrating grizzly is optional. The feed conveyor is hydraulically adjustable and fully skirted and sealed to prevent spillage. Both side conveyors have variable speed control and are hydraulically folding, as is the tail (fines) conveyor. An auxiliary conveyor is standard.
All hydraulic pumps and motors are high performance, heavy-duty Danfoss and David Brown units. An optional tri-axle bogie system allows the machine to be transported without the need for a low loader.
For more information, call 502/736-5200 or visit www.terexcs.com.
This story also appears on Aggregate Equipment Guide.
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