When it comes to crushing limestone, contractors look for machines that will perform without a hitch. This was the case in Ozona, Texas, where Ramirez & Sons Inc. took on a base course project for BHP Billiton, a large producer of minerals with substantial interests in oil and gas.

Ramirez had the task of creating a 1.5-in. (3.8 cm) minus base course for approximately 30 mi. (48.2 km) of roads, with 15 to 20 oil drilling pads. Ken Smith, manager of crushing operations of Ramirez, contacted Warren CAT in Lubbock, Texas, to rent an IROCK RDS-20 crusher.

Warren CAT began carrying IROCK for both sales and rental in March 2010. The first machine was located at the company’s San Angelo, Texas, facility. Many contractors opt for the rent-to-own option that Warren CAT offers on the IROCK crushers.

“We have many locations throughout Oklahoma and Texas,” said Bill Reinier, crushing and paving specialist of Warren CAT. “Warren has trained technicians for IROCK, and we provide onsite assembly and training. Warren does whatever it takes to keep the customers happy.”

According to IROCK, the RDS-20 primary closed circuit crushing plant is specifically designed for primary applications requiring high production and is suitable for processing quarry rock, demolition debris and recyclable materials up to 500 tph (454 t).

“The IROCK’s unique features make it stand out against the competition,” said Sean Donaghy, national sales manager of IROCK.

One such feature is the machine’s ability to return top and middle deck products back to the crusher, gaining 20 percent extra production on-screen. The IROCK also incorporates a rock box underneath the crusher discharge point, which reduces the wear and the need to replace costly wear parts.

The Hydraset Hopper System is exclusive to IROCK Crushers. It is designed to attach and remove the hopper/feeder module as a unit without the aid of any outside lifting devices, allowing the hopper/feeder module to be detached and transported in minutes, according to IROCK.

The plants have self-contained on-board power for all functions, plus three auxiliary outlets for stacking conveyors.

The RDS-20 is IROCK’s first machine with a Caterpillar Tier IV engine.

Crushing operations on the BHP site took approximately 58 days and the total project was completed in 90 days.

“We crushed 178,000 tons of material with very little wear and no problems,” said Smith, who also leased two Caterpillar 980K loaders from Warren CAT for the project.

Smith has become such a fan of IROCK equipment that he recently decided to purchase the IROCK RDS-15 from Warren CAT. In the future, Smith said he hopes to permanently add the RDS-20 to his fleet, but right now he is continuing to lease it for another oil company project.

Ramirez & Sons Inc. of Hobbs, N.M., is a paving contractor that was established in 1986. They routinely build roads and pads for buildings, as well as crushing material and performing utility work. Ramirez operates in southeast New Mexico and western Texas.

This story also appears on Aggregate Equipment Guide.

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