Powerscreen XH320X makes an impact on Crush Ltd

Extensive testing by specialist crushing and screening contractor helps shape design of new impact crusher

THE new Powerscreen XH320X impact crusher was launched in late 2012 and the first prototype of the machine was sent to South Wales-based specialist crushing and screening contractors Crush Ltd – a customer of Powerscreen distributor Blue Group – for extensive testing.

‘We had the XH320X on test for nine months and were delighted with its performance. We tested the machine on a variety of applications including recycled asphalt, limestone and grit stone,’ said Ben Sherratt, operations director with Crush.

‘The impressive performance of the XH320X test machine along with our direct input on design from a customer perspective allowed us to be involved in the final design, which took on board the varying applications that a contractor has to work.

‘This created a design which is much more flexible and suited to a crushing contractor’s need for versatility and, ultimately, led us to purchasing one of the first production machines.’

The machine initially worked on highly abrasive gritstone to test the apron, hammer and rotor strength and durability, impressing the customer with good results including high output, minimal wear, good fuel consumption and good reduction.

In this application, the XH320X impact crusher produced an average of 180 tonnes per hour and a consistent 8,000 tonnes per week. However, as Mr Sherratt explained, once it was moved to a recycled asphalt application it really excelled.

‘When working on mixed recycled asphalt, the XH320X machine really performed well giving very good, consistent reduction,’ he said.

The XH320X impact crusher incorporates a fully independent hydraulically driven pre-screen, to improve fines removal and reduce chamber wear costs for the customer, as well as a hydraulically folding extended side conveyor with a stockpile height of 3.7m.

The crusher is particularly suitable for reducing medium-hard, mildly abrasive materials down to well-graded product size in a single pass.

A hydraulic apron adjustment/control system allows for the production of a high-quality, cubically shaped finished product, and with the addition of an optional grinding path, for further reduction, the XH320X can produce an even smaller, consistent product gradation when required.

The hopper capacity has also been increased by the addition of hopper extensions, which can be hydraulically folded for transport. The new hopper design incorporates hydraulic locking pins, removing the need for manual wedges and allowing rapid set up.

The XH320X’s full-length product conveyor is well suited to quarry applications, while an optional under pan feeder caters for recycled applications where there may be steel in the feed  material. An optional extended hydraulically folding product conveyor increases the stockpile height to 4m.

The XH320X can be powered by a Tier 3/Stage IIIA-compliant Cat C9 Acert 242kW (325hp) engine or a Tier 4i/Stage IIIB-compliant Scania DC9 83A 257kW (350hp) engine.

Powerscreen will be demonstrating the XH320X impact crusher at the National Federation Demolition Contractors Expo at Arden Brickworks, Solihull, on 28–29 June.