New Trackstack barge loader for Day Aggregates

Day Aggregates ramp up recycled glass operations with high-volume VL1000 barge loader

FINLAY Group have introduced their first Trackstack plant into the country, with the installation of a high-volume loader/unloader at Day Group’s glass-recycling operation. The Trackstack VL1000 is delivering recycled glass directly from tipper trucks on to Thames barges via its 13.5m discharge conveyor.

Supplied by Finlay Plant South East – part of the Finlay Group of companies – the machine is based at Day Group’s Murphy’s Wharf recycling depot, in Charlton, London, one of the UK’s largest recycling centres.

Adam Day, of Day Group, said: ‘The machine is working brilliantly. We previously used a long-reach excavator, but it could not deliver the volumes we can now achieve. As well as speeding up the process we save on the cost of an excavator, and the fuel and labour, by operating this system.

‘The VL1000 is currently running at 600 tonnes/h, although there is the potential to run at up to 900 tonnes/h if required. As well as sending out recycled glass, it has also been running with recycled aggregate.’

Established by the late John Day, Day Group have been supplying natural and recycled aggregates to the construction and civil engineering industry since 1974. The glass recycling business has been operating for the last 12 years and exports more than 30,000 tonne a year.

The company has a long-standing relationship with Finlay South East – regularly hiring machines from the plant-hire arm of the business. The Trackstack has been built to a bespoke specification to meet Day Group’s exact needs.

Leon Sheehy, managing director of Finlay Plant South East, worked with Day Group to introduce the machine to the site. He said: ‘As part of the installation process, we worked closely with Day’s site manager to find out the company’s exact needs. Features including redesigned load-up ramps for the lorries, covers and enclosed spillage boards were all introduced.’

He continued: ‘The sheer price of fuel for operating machinery to move material, and labour costs, makes a compelling case for the introduction of the Trackstack bulk-handling system in this type of environment. As well as glass, the machinery can handle a broad range of materials, and it is versatile, highly mobile and quick to set up.’

Powered by a 130hp (100kW) Caterpillar six-cylinder engine, the Trackstack VL1000 comprises a 4.5m wide, low-level, horizontal receiving hopper and a 1.2m wide x 15m long radial boom discharge conveyor that provides 120° radial slew, all fitted on to a single track-mounted chassis for ease of movement and rapid set-up time. There is also the option of a 9.5m or 13.5m discharge conveyor, as supplied to Day Group.

The VL1000 can be fed by wheel loader, excavator or tipper truck and can be used to load barges and trains, as well as for stockpiling. It can also integrate with the Tesab range of crushers and screeners.

Finlay Group recently announced that they were moving into new markets after securing the dealership for Trackstack in England and Wales.

Operating from a 5-acre manufacturing facility in Omagh, Northern Ireland, Trackstack are part of Tesab Group and their machinery has been used around the globe. As well as being available for purchase, Trackstack products can be introduced on to sites through Finlay Hire. A fast replacement parts service is also available from Midlands-based Sure Equipment Spares (SES).