Western Quarries

Application Snapshot - Plant and Machinery Cleaning

The Problem

Western Quarries is situated in Ararat in Western Victoria. They provide hornfels rock and aggregate for use in asphalt and concrete production. They operate a fleet of excavation equipment which all need to be maintained and presented professionally to reflect their business. The hours put in cleaning this fleet quickly consumed any spare time and had become extremely costly with wages.

The machines get coated with Precoat which is a bitumen-based product containing a percentage of adhesion agent this is added to the aggregate to ensure better initial adhesion and longer-term retention of aggregate. This coating, while better for the aggregate, coats the machine and must be cleaned off during maintenance and service times. It was being done manually with solvents and degreasers and rags. This has led to increased cleaning times and labour costs.

The Solution

Being able to clean the machines in location was a key requirement, along with a portable water supply. So a fully self contained hot wash trailer was designed. Using the Spitwater SW15-200DE, 15 LPM at 3000spsi, diesel powered hot wash pressure washer, 50 metres of high-pressure hose in a top mount hose reel. This was mounted with a 1000 litre water tank on a heavy duty mine specification trailer. The trailer is fully galvanised including the wheels with on board electric brake controller so that any suitable vehicle can tow the trailer without having to have a brake controller installed in the vehicle. Being at a Mine site it featured the Safety pack of strobe light, fire extinguishers and wheel nut indicators. Being outside all the time this custom trailer included a removeable front and roof panel for weather and dust protection.

The Benefits

Within minutes of the hot wash pressure washer firing up we started to clean the wheel loader using the hot water (coming out at around 80°C), you could see the smiles on the workers faces as the Precoat loosened and started to stream off.

A 50% reduction in cleaning times was achieved cutting costs on labour and freeing up time to perform the other tasks. Machines presented better creating better site efficiency.

Recent News

AMA Precast

The Problem AMA Precast are an industry leader in the manufacture and supply of concrete precast panels. The have just established a new purpose built manufacturing facility. With a dedicated exposed aggregate wash station that also lets them clean tools and rubber casting mats and then an outside wash down bay they needed two new units for the two locations The Solution For the exposed aggregate and casting mat area we supplied the Spitwater HP201S 21 lpm at 3000 psi pressure washer – 3phase 20amp with both fan and turbo jet nozzles. The outside wash bay is used for cleaned the casting forms a Spitwater HP3523 23 lpm at 5000 psi 3 phase 32 amp unit was used. Both units were supplied with wall mount retractable reels with 20m of hose for improved operator & factory safety The Benefits To remove the soft concrete layer the 21lpm unit at 3000 psi is spot on. Just the right pressure – with the fan jet a nice even removal. When slightly more push is required they use the Turbo lance When cleaning the rubber casting mats – too much pressure rippers them apart – so the 3000 psi again is just spot on. For the casting forms – with semi dried concrete residue the 5000 psi makes short work of it,. This leaves the forms clean and smooth ready to be stored or reused immediately. This saves cleaning time, makes the forms last longer and provides the panel with a better finish requiring less rework. Cost saving all round. With our PM Program we have onsite servicing providing maximum uptime for them when they are pouring critical concrete.

RABS Group

The Problem RABS Group work is to provide road & civil construction services. All of their machinery are backed by an experienced and enthusiastic team of operators and support staff. Most of RABS client work is best conducted overnight. This provides less inconvenience in public spaces and with a safer work environment. Cleaning of their equipment is then done in the early morning when the trucks and plant are returned to the depot. The cleaning needs to be quick, yet effective as they have road grim, dirt and bitumen tar to deal with. The Solution With a new wash pad being built a high flow cold pressure washer was the order of the day. They use specific truck wash chemicals to deal with the bitumen tar and then wash with Bio Wash truck wash. As the wash pad is used at 5am it needs to be simple to use and provide maximum uptime. A Spitwater HP201/S with 2l lpm flow and 3000 psi chosen for high use. Adding a foaming bottle to allow for better chemical adhesion and dwell time was installed as well. This was all installed in a container with external mount reel with 20m of hose and simple lance storage for simple operator use was KEY. The Benefits High water flow has meant less brush work is needed. This means that operators spend less time washing, impacting less paid overtime. RABS are extremely proud of how they present their fleet for both presentation and maintenance levels. Working with Bitumen tar is challenging as it stains and marks trucks and plant very quickly when left to build up. Office staff fleet vehicles are also being cleaned more regularly, resulting in better image & less maintenance issues.

William Adams CAT

The Problem William Adams have a large range of excavators and plant equipment for sale, hire and service. They have two sites providing excellent coverage to the Melbourne CBD and surrounds. Being able to present equipment to hire clients clean and professional is key. Their own Service Department need to clean so as they can access parts and conduct servicing. They have to clean big, fast & cost effective when dealing with heaps of caked on clay and debris. The Solution Having used a Spitwater hot wash 3 phase unit before – they invested in a larger model to increase the water flow and pressure. The SW2021 at 21 lpm and 3000 psi was just the right unit. They also invested in using a 20 metre hose for ease of getting around the machinery without having to move the pressure washer. Adding a foaming attachment for non-touch cleaning to allow their truck wash better time on the machine to assist in removing the grime. The Benefits With water flow being KING the increased flow that this machine has provided - wash bay times have come down by around 25%. Improved wash bay through put has allowed for increased machine hire units ready to go out with no hold ups. The same solution was rolled out at both sites, making it easy for driver & operator to use the same units and set up when working at either site.

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Western Quarries

Application Snapshot - Plant and Machinery Cleaning

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