Improving Aggregate Value with Coarse Material Washing
As part of a recent plant upgrade, Sanland Equipment supplied and commissioned a twin coarse material washer for a New Zealand quarry operation seeking to improve product consistency and better manage variable raw material conditions.
The washer was selected to address challenges commonly associated with dirty or clay-bound feed. By washing aggregates early in the process, excess fines and contaminants are removed, resulting in a cleaner, more consistent end product that meets specification across a range of applications.
Twin Coarse Material Washer Performance
Designed for high-capacity processing, the twin-shaft washer uses dual counter-rotating augers and wash paddles to scrub and separate material efficiently while maintaining throughput. In this installation, the unit is positioned directly under a crusher discharge conveyor, allowing crushed material to be processed immediately without additional handling.
The system is capable of handling high flow rates while maintaining effective washing performance, ensuring the washing stage does not become a bottleneck within the crushing circuit.
Product Applications and Flexibility
The washed material is suitable for a wide range of products, including GAP and AP aggregates, basecourse, and other roading and construction materials. By adjusting upstream crushing settings, the operation can tailor output to different specifications while maintaining clean, saleable stock.
Integration and Maintenance
From an operational perspective, the washer integrates easily into an existing plant layout. Wear components such as auger edges and wash paddles are bolt-on and easily replaceable, helping to minimise downtime and simplify maintenance.
Water management is also a key consideration, with systems typically designed to recover and reuse wash water as part of a closed-loop process.
Customer Outcomes
The customer reports measurable improvements in material cleanliness and downstream processing performance following commissioning. Consistent removal of deleterious fines has reduced carryover into secondary processing, improved screen efficiency, and stabilised product grading across multiple aggregate specifications. The washer has also integrated cleanly with the existing crushing circuit, handling high feed volumes without restricting throughput.
Sanland Equipment’s involvement in equipment selection, layout configuration, and commissioning support was identified as a key factor in achieving reliable performance and long-term operational stability.
Sanland Washing Solutions
Sanland Equipment offers a full range of washing solutions to suit different material types and production requirements, including single and twin screw coarse material washers, sand (fine material) washers, and log washers. These systems are designed to improve material cleanliness, grading consistency, and downstream plant performance across both lightly contaminated and heavily clay-bound applications.
For more information on coarse material washing solutions, explore our washing options at sanlandequipment.co.nz.
