Editor’s note: For the September issue of Portable Plants, members of the Editorial Advisory Board were asked the following questions: What are some equipment and technology trends you and your company are keeping an eye on? Are there any you or your company have implemented thus far? If so, how has it helped or changed how you operate?
The biggest shift we are exploring is examining all options for hybrid or electrical-style portable plants.
The electric or hybrid option appears to be attractive for some of our sites, while diesel still has a place in our fleet.
We are also looking at equipment that can reduce noise and dust emissions, given the updated Mine Safety & Health Administration silica rule. Prioritizing the health and safety of our teams is crucial. Because of this, we are considering equipment that utilizes automation and can optimize crushing performance while allowing the team to conduct maintenance in a more controlled environment with easier access to parts and locations that need more frequent services.
We are utilizing technology provided by vendors to harness data that allows us to examine all options out in the marketplace. We have teamed up with our mobile equipment provider for better insights into how we run equipment and how to optimize the best equipment to use for better efficiency.
The main trends I see are:
• Component optimization; more power with less effort
• Electrical/hybrid options
• Noise and dust Reduction
• Autonomous rolling stock
I don’t see these trends fading.
Jason Waddell is group manager of aggregate operations at Jones Bros. Construction in Nashville, Tennessee.