AB2000 double production with the Sandvik QJ341+ jaw crusher

Scottish company AB2000 Ltd visited Hillhead last year and were so impressed with the QJ341+ on display that they decided to purchase this latest addition to the Sandvik range of jaw crushers there and then. Since it was delivered they have seen a marked increase in production, almost doubling capacity over their previous model.  

AB2000 Ltd in Scotland specialize in the supply of both operated and self-drive machinery, including crushing and screening equipment, for the construction industry. Incorporated in 1995 by Adam Bruce, who has over 50 years’ experience of the operated plant hire industry, the company is now Scotland’s largest privately owned hirer of operated plant and equipment.

A longstanding customer of Sandvik, AB2000’s relationship started with the mobile crushing and screening manufacturer almost fifteen years ago with the Extec brand. Over the years they have purchased a number of machines for their expanding fleet and now own five crushers; one QJ241, three QJ341s, and a QJ341+ .

Already familiar with the Sandvik QJ341 mobile jaw crusher, Chris Brown, General Manager for AB2000 visited Hillhead in June 2016 and was interested to see the latest addition to the range, the QJ341+ on display. This new model encompasses the same characteristics as the QJ341 but is fitted with a double deck pre-screen and a number of additional benefits for improved efficiency, safety and operation.

Chris describes the advantages of the pre-screen and why he was impressed with the new model. “I liked the idea of the screen and the improved production. In a recycling environment it gives us the option to produce a graded stone, a Type 1 material, which is popular with our customers. In a quarry environment we can scalp out the material and be a bit more accurate so we’re not wasting as much of the raw product to put forward into the secondary process” says Chris.  

Double up production
AB2000 have been very pleased with the increased production with the QJ341+ jaw crusher and cost per tonne is looking very good says Chris. “At Hillhead Sandvik were stating an increase in production of 30% with the QJ341+. We are actually running somewhere in the region of 300-350 tonnes per hour in comparison to the QJ341 which was doing 150-200 tonne per hour, so production’s well up as far as I’m concerned and I’m more than happy with it”. 

AB2000 are currently using the QJ341+ for a crushing contract at a limestone quarry to process 25,000 tonnes of crushed stone for a blend in the concrete plant. The -500mm raw material is fed into the QJ341+ which is then crushed down to 4” and fed into a cone crusher with a CSS set at approx. 25-28mm. The crushed limestone is then fed into a double deck screen and reduced  to a clean 20-25mm product.

Simple and safer operation
For a plant hire company, key benefits of the Sandvik QJ341+ are mobility, quick set-up and ease of operation. “After arrival on site, the machine can be tracked into position, hopper wings folded up, jacking legs down, adjust your jaw and away you go. It’s very, very straightforward” says Chris.

One new feature which AB2000 particularly like on the QJ341+ is the self-locking hopper. The hydraulically folding design eliminates the need for an operator to climb onto the machine. It is therefore easier, quicker and safer to set-up as this can all be done from ground level.

Another feature they like is the control system which is common across the Sandvik Premium range of crushers. The machine is fitted with a PLC control system and a colour screen which allows visual data output of all plant operating parameters. This is simple to operate and all their fitters are well versed in the running of their fleet making the progression from one model to the next an easy transition. 

Over the years AB2000 has built up a reputation as a leading plant hire company in Scotland and therefore need a reliable equipment supplier. The aftermarket support is therefore an essential aspect to their business.

Chris concludes “The backup and aftersales support of the machines is pretty good. Generally any problems that we have on site, we phone in and there’s a fitter sent to site tout suite, so we are quite happy and have no complaints on that side”.