EP Minerals’ crushing and loading process consolidated

The ALLU transformer M 3-20 material processing excavator attachment on EP Minerals’ Hitachi 650 excavator. Photo courtesy of Allu.

EP Minerals, a division of U.S. Silica, recently deployed a Transformer M 3-20 material processing attachment at its montmorillonite clay mine in Middleton, Tennessee.

The mine-duty M-Series screener-crusher attachment from Allu, a manufacturer of attachments for a variety of materials, pairs with EP Minerals’ Hitachi 650 excavator in order to crush mined clay down to 4-in.-minus while simultaneously loading haul trucks. With the Transformer attachment, EP Minerals is mining where it previously could not, as well as processing clay from boulders that is used to produce cat litter and absorbent clay for oils.

The ultimate goal of the attachment, Allu says, is to eliminate the primary crusher at EP Materials’ plant.

“[EP Minerals] is enjoying the advantages of reduced downtime with their crusher at the plant and lower overall operating costs,” says Steve Fowler, Allu territory manager. “They’re able to go back and process material that previously was considered unusable, and also mine areas they had passed over, saving them from having to buy and strip additional land. The Allu Transformer allows them to crush, screen and load as a one-person operation.”

The excavator attachment crushes mined clay down to 4-in.-minus while simultaneously loading haul trucks. Photo courtesy of Allu.

The Transformer M-Series attachment is a multi-faceted tool for mining and processing applications. Powered by an excavator, wheel loader or other carrier machine up to 154 tons, the hydraulic attachment provides efficient production techniques, solves chute blockages and other material flow problems. It also assists with the processing and transport of wet, sticky or frozen material, Allu says.

By sizing material and removing waste rock at the initial stage of the process, Allu says the M-Series eliminates the need for handling material twice and contributes to an operation’s maximum efficiency. The Transformer also helps protect conveyor systems and other material processing equipment because it ultimately saves on operating time.