"Fully hybrid into the black!"

Even without the 3-deck post screen fitted, the REMAX 600 proved to be a real eye-catcher on the SBM Mineral Processing stand at Hillhead.

Great interest in the intelligent operating concept of the 600 tph REMAX 600 impact crusher.

As the only demo crusher "direct from the face", the REMAX 450 with single-deck secondary screen was convincing over all three days of the show.

As the only demo crusher "direct from the face", the REMAX 450 with single-deck secondary screen was convincing over all three days of the show.

For the first time, SBM exhibited at Hillhead with strong dealer support (from left): SBM Managing Director Erwin Schneller; Andrew Banner, Banner Equipment; Barry O'Regan, Orba Group; Chris Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald Plant; Jo Banner; SBM Sales Director Helm

SBM introduced Chris Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald Plant, as the new distributor for Wales and South West England at Hillhead (centre). Pictured (from left): SBM General Distributor Manager Michael Brookshaw, Sales Director Processing Helmut Haider, SBM Managing

Helmut Haider, SBM Sales Diirector Processing.

Austrian processing specialist SBM Mineral Processing presented itself at the UK's HILLHEAD quarrying exhibition with strong domestic dealer support, which was further expanded during the show. Once again, SBM focused on the benefits of fully hybrid processing: The spotlight was on the REMAX 600 tracked heavy-duty impact crusher, which celebrated its official UK market launch.

"Despite the currently rather subdued mood in the UK market, which was probably also reflected in the strongly fluctuating visitor numbers during the three days of the show, we are satisfied with the overall result," says Helmut Haider, Sales Director Processing at SBM.

"In addition to international visitors, particularly from Scandinavia and occasionally from the Far East, we were able to welcome interested experts from all over the UK, from all target sectors and decision-making levels – including construction and recycling companies, project and quarry managers, as well as chief buyers from large building materials groups.

This is a clear endorsement of our significantly increased market presence." In addition to existing partners Banner Equipment (Midlands, North/West England) and Orba Group (Greater London/South East England), SBM also signed a long-term agreement at the show with new dealer Fitzgerald Plant (Wales/South West England) to provide sales and service throughout England and Wales. "Scotland and the Irish market are still managed centrally from Austria, but we intend to establish a direct foothold there soon. Talks with suitable partners are nearing completion," says Helmut Haider.

Head start in the home game
Diesel-electric and hybrid drives for mobile processing plants were one of the dominant themes at Hillhead 2024. "For us, of course, this was something of a home game: We have been offering this technology for more than 40 years, and today we focus exclusively on highly efficient, environmentally friendly and, above all, mature hybrid solutions in all machine classes across all systems," emphasises Helmut Haider.

Visitors to Hillhead were able to see for themselves that "hybrid is not just hybrid" as they toured the stands. "UK operators of mobile crushing plants in the quarrying and recycling sectors still rely predominantly on jaw crushers, often with downstream screening equipment. On the stand we presented our 'all-rounder', the JAWMAX® 450, which, with a weight of around 40 tonnes and a maximum throughput of 450 t/h, is aimed at precisely this wide range of applications".

But it wasn't just the performance data that impressed: "In a direct comparison, many experts praised the complete integration of electrified main and auxiliary drives, which, in addition to a very compact machine concept, enables a high level of user-friendliness thanks to our CRUSH CONTROL system. We have often heard that other suppliers need to improve in this area," says Helmut Haider, summing up the positive reactions from customers.

The REMAX impact crushers also attracted a great deal of interest at Hillhead, particularly the REMAX 600 on the SBM stand, but also the REMAX 450 with single-deck secondary screen in the live demo. As the only crusher "straight from the quarry face", the nearly 53-tonne machine processed a total of 1,500 tonnes of limestone from 0/800 to "Type 1" 0/40 in up to five short demos per day, achieving a maximum of 300 tph with an average consumption of just under 25 l/h.

"With their combination of class-leading crusher sizes, well-dimensioned primary and secondary screens, optimised transport dimensions and low operating costs, our REMAX models are particularly popular with UK contract crushers, but also with stationary operators. This is also confirmed by our dealers," says the SBM sales manager, referring to successful placements over the past two years. "Why have two or three machines with high transport costs when I can get the job done with one machine, the same or even less manpower and a fraction of the fuel and wear costs?"

The future starts now
Many experts probably made the same calculation for the REMAX 600 impact crusher, which SBM launched to great acclaim on the UK market at Hillhead 2024. The Austrian manufacturer's new flagship features a maximum output of 600 tph with a 1400 class impact crusher, a correspondingly wide range of applications in raw materials and recycling, and, depending on the equipment, up to five end products in a single pass. "Of course, you don't sell a machine like this at a trade show - but we were actually surprised by the number and specific nature of the enquiries and expect the 600 to establish itself quickly in the UK market too."

The same applies to the "autonomous crusher" that SBM is developing with experts from the University of Leoben on the basis of the REMAX 600: "We are well on schedule here. We are currently optimising the AI-supported real-time detection and classification of the feed material and crushed products as the basis for the fully automated crushing process, which is continuously validated via a global data exchange with our central competence centre and automatically adjusted if necessary," reports Helmut Haider. The technology is expected to be ready for market launch and use in other crusher classes as early as 2026.

Thousands of stored rock and process data will make it easier to plan mobile operations, while extensive self-monitoring, including wear detection, will ensure plant availability. These are expected to set new standards in environmental efficiency thanks to the autonomous control concept that is consistently focused on quality and performance parameters.