Hamm H 25i VC compactor helps increase landfill capacity

German operator uses Hamm roller to compact contaminated waste materials more efficiently  

LANDFILL capacity is a scarce resource in Germany. For this reason, many of the country’s landfill operators try to aim for optimal compaction of all incoming wastes. A case in point is a Hamm H 25i VC compactor, which is being used at Steinmühle mixed-waste landfill site to compact waste containing asbestos, glass wool and similar contaminated mineral waste.

Taking this approach has allowed Steinmühle landfill (a former basalt quarry) to put away more materials than originally planned, increasing its overall operation and efficiency. Since basalt naturally contains asbestos, the site is an ideal repository for construction waste containing asbestos.

Compacted glass wool is also deposited – packaged and wrapped so that it is dust-tight and shaped into cuboids. Across the landfill site, these wastes are arranged in layers of up to 2m high and each of these layers is covered with uncontaminated construction waste material, tile fragments, concrete residues, and ash from waste combustion.

Since 2020, the Hamm H 25i VC compactor – in a single process – has compacted the layers of construction waste and ash that have been distributed over the contaminated waste. ‘The waste delivered can be easily compacted using a combination of weight force and vibration. This creates a wide variety of different particle sizes,’ explained Peter Förster, manager of the Steinmühle landfill site.

After putting various machines and solutions through their paces, Mr Förster opted for the Hamm roller. ‘We wanted to minimize hollow space during compaction, as landfill capacity is becoming increasingly valuable. In our opinion, the VC concept is the most efficient solution for this task,’ he continued.

‘We used to use a landfill compactor without vibration. With the VC compactor, however, we are now achieving a waste density of 1.3 tonnes per cubic metre at the landfill site. This enables us to use the landfill site for longer which, ultimately, increases our profitability.’

Safety and the compaction process were also important to the landfill site team. For example, the cab on the H 25i VC machine has been equipped with safety ventilation to prevent the ingress of harmful suspended solids.

‘We are able to optimally intermesh the crushed materials in just a few passes,’ said machine operator Markus Döberl. ‘The vibration is a major benefit here. We cannot achieve the required degree of compaction with static compaction alone.’

Since the machinery components are being used more intensively when crushing stone than usual compaction, Hamm have designed their VC compactors as heavy-duty equipment.

This means that, among others, the three-point articulation, underbody, front frame, and drum suspension with drum drive have been reinforced, compared to normal compactors. In addition, all VC compactors are set on highly robust EM tyres and drivers benefit from a seat with an extra-high backrest.

The H 25i VC compactor is also equipped as standard with the Hammtronic machine control system and Hamm Compaction Meter (HCM). As well as undertaking compacting duties at Steinmühle, the landfill site team can use the Hamm VC roller to crush rubble consisting of road construction material (containing tar), which is also stored on site.