Materials handling


Moving resources safely and speedily


When speed and efficiency is of the essence, along with the safety of those handling waste materials, the emphasis is on employing machinery that ensures maximum productivity with the least possible downtime. RWW takes a look at some of the options that ensure materials are moved safely and in a clean environment.


Geraldine Faulkner Editor


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LTHOUGH THE Health & Safety Executive reports a general downward trend in the rate of injury over the last eight years in the waste management sector, waste


and recycling remain a high risk environment. According to the HSE, while it accounts for only about 0.6% of the employees in Britain, the waste management sector is still responsible for 2.8% of reported injuries to employees (11% fatalities, 2.6% major and 2.8% of over seven day injuries). This serves to demonstrate the importance of choosing the right equipment for employees to use when it comes to handling materials. Below are examples of specialists who have recently supplied equipment to material reprocessors.


Blue Fuchs North West-based Maxilead Metals, a family- owned and operated metal recycling company pride themselves on offering an extensive range of recycling solutions. To aid in the processing of a wide variety


of materials which pass through their recycling facility in Manchester the company has recently invested in a new Terex-Fuchs wheeled material handler from Blue Fuchs; the third one to join the fleet. The MHL340D FQC is, however, the first in


the UK to be supplied by Blue Fuchs with the optional Fuchs quick connect system. “The three letters, FQC, show that various


work tools can be swiftly and speedily changed,” explains a company spokesperson. “For example, the multi-purpose stick with grab or the stick with magnet can be exchanged for a scrap shear in less than a minute. The Quick Connect system is based on leakage- free quick-connect couplings which, with the help of a hydraulic locking device, can be connected to each other with no loss of oil and almost without wear. All connections are


protected against shocks and contamination with sensors verifying correct positioning and secure locking when connecting and disconnecting the attachments.” The Fuchs Quick Connect system is said


to maximise efficiency, enabling a single machine to carry out a whole range of tasks with very short changeover times. “It also adds considerably to safety. The operator no longer needs to leave the cab to change the tools, and fiddling with bolts is a thing of the past,” adds the company representative. Director Tom Clay says: “With the two


attachments processing the metal is now much easier and faster. The versatility of the machine has no limits we are able to process anything that comes through our gates. With the FQC system the driver is able to swap attachments easily throughout the day” The base machine is equipped with a 5.2m


boom coupled to a short stick incorporating the FQC. Capable of handling either a 5.4m stick or a 5.6m multi-purpose stick reportedly gives the MHL340D a reach of up to 11.2m. Powered by a fuel efficient Deutz, six


cylinder, turbo-charged, Tier3 compliant engine developing 171hp, the MHL340D is equipped with four point outriggers ensuring superior stability even at full capacity. The operator is also said to be well catered


for with the hydraulically raising cabin benefitting from air conditioning along with multi-adjustable air suspended seat and fatigue free joysticks.


Camfil Air Pollution Control (APC) Camfil APC, with a UK office based in Greater Manchester, offers technologically advanced dust extractors. It helps customers prevent dust-related respiratory problems, and in some cases reduce or eliminate the need for personal respirators as well as comply with current air quality requirements. Camfil APC also aims to prevent dust extractor explosions and fires caused by combustible dusts, electrical sparks and other causes, minimise slips, falls and visibility problems created by ‘nuisance’ dusts in the workplace; reduce worker discomfort from allergens found in process dusts and protect equipment from dust contamination. “Our mission is to ship extractors fast while


still giving the customer what they want; to be the most customer friendly company in the dust collection business; and to make the best dust extractor in the business from an end-user and maintenance viewpoint,” says a company spokesperson. “We are a subsidiary of Camfil, the largest


air filter manufacturer in the world. All our dust collection systems (including filter cartridges) are manufactured in ISO 9001 certified facilities. We are the only company in the business to offer both ISO 9001 and a full service dust collection testing facility, ensuring a quality product from design to shipment.” Camfil APC also offers a programme to


Camfil APC’s flagship Farr Gold Series cartridge extractor


4 November 7 2013


help companies engaged in metalworking operations to understand and comply with the strict new EPA regulation for Metal Fabrication Hazardous Air Pollutants (MFHAP). “Whatever air quality requirements impact your facility, whether EPA and/or OSHA, we provide a written guarantee of emissions performance,” continues the company representative. Camfil APC’s facilities include a test lab that is equipped to conduct a battery of bench


Middleton Engineering’s chain conveyor is going to help Viridor handle between 15,000-20,000 tonnes p.a.


The material handler supplied to Maxilead Metals by Blue Fuchs ensures stability even at full capacity


tests on dust samples, as well as simulated full- scale testing. These tests are said to provide scientific analysis of clients’ dust to take the guesswork out of equipment selection and help determine the best dust extractor design and filter media for the job. “We can also commission tests to determine


whether [customers’] dust is combustible and, if so, measure its explosibility characteristics,” states the company spokesperson. Among the products offered by Camfil APC,


there is its flagship Farr Gold Series cartridge extractor. This is said to combine rugged heavy-gauge construction with a compact modular design that provides premium performance while taking up less floor space. Service benefits are reported to include easy


access and fast, trouble-free filter changeout with no special tools required. Options include safety platforms and


ladders, safety monitoring filters, and a new integrated HEPA safety monitoring filter that comes mounted on top of the extractor so that no additional floor space is required. The Farr Gold Series extractor is equipped


with the HemiPleat filter, which delivers lower pressure drop than standard cartridge filters for extended service life and energy savings. HemiPleat replacement filters are said to


be available to enhance performance in most competitive cartridge extractors.


www. r e c y c l i n gwa s t ewo r l d . c o . u k


Middleton Engineering Viridor has upgraded equipment at its Priorswood materials recycling facility in Taunton with a new chain conveyor fabricated and installed by recycling equipment engineers Middleton Engineering. Designed to provide increased capacity and


speed, the new conveyor is expected to handle between 15,000 and 20,000 tonnes of material a year. Used for a range of recyclables including


paper, card and plastics, the conveyor feeds an existing picking station where unwanted materials are removed from the waste stream before the material is baled for recycling. Kevin Bishop, regional recycling manager


for Viridor explains: “This is an important upgrade for the Priorswood site, adding additional capacity and speed, which will directly benefit our service to customers across the region. “Reliability is crucial to us and Middletons


have been able to come up with a number of design improvements to make routine maintenance and access to the cleaning pit easier.” Improvements include the design of a


spring-loaded levelling gate, which will ensure a smooth and consistent flow of material along the conveyor, avoiding the feast or famine characteristics of some conveyor solutions. RWW


Recycling & WA S T E W O R L D


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