Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi of Tokyo scoured the globe for a partner to develop a new series of compact trommel screeners. Aiming to deliver more productive portable screening plants for its customers, Shin Cat chose McCloskey International to engineer a trommel that could produce required volumes and still travel within the tight legal limits of Japan’s narrow, congested roadways.
The first new McCloskey 512 REGT trommel (equipped with radial stacker, end conveyor, grid and tracks) is now in service with Shin Cat, a track-mounted trommel with a 5- by 12-ft. (1.5 by 3.6 m) drum that fits into a transport envelope approximately 30 percent shorter in length, 2 in. (5 cm) narrower in width and 3 ft. (.9 m) shorter in height than its wheeled predecessor, which did not mount an oversize conveyor.
Paschal McCloskey, president and founder of McCloskey International, said, “When you consider that the basic size of the drum can’t be changed, at 12 feet, you see what an achievement this really is. All the space-savings were accomplished within the remaining length of the machine, but still providing room to route lines and maintain service access to every component. This is a case where our previous investment in innovation has really paid off.”
This version of the 512 model trommel has been completely revamped from the wheeled 512 model, with only the drum remaining from the original construction. It does, however, incorporate the previous Drum X-Change System and the 180-degree radial stacker. While the overall transport size has been dramatically reduced, several key components are actually larger in the new machine. The feed conveyor and radial conveyor have both been upsized to 36-in. (91 cm) belts from 30 in. (76 cm) belts. The unit also introduces a larger hopper and, at 42 in. (107 cm) wide, an oversize conveyor.
Doing More with Less Space
The reduction in transport length required a series of engineering initiatives to combine together. The 512 RET takes full advantage of new fabrication techniques developed by McCloskey last year for the manufacture of its compact 412 R. This wheeled, pintle-towed trommel was the first to make extensive use of folded steel plate in the chassis, in place of a traditional welded construction. Using folded plate gives the design engineers greater structural strength and more flexibility for their internal configuration of the trommel, according to the manufacturer.
By making the radial stacker self-supporting, McCloskey eliminated support chains from the structure, allowing the stacker to fold up into less length.
The crawler undercarriage is designed to hydraulically raise and lower itself through 36 in. (91 cm) of elevation. This feature lets operators raise the entire machine in order to increase the trommel’s angle of departure, allowing for easier loading onto trailers, as well as increased ability in difficult terrain.
Once loaded, the machine can be lowered to just 10 ft. 10 in. (3.3 m) overall height to fit within transport limits on a wide range of trailers. With the tracks retracted, the trommel also offers a loading height low enough to feed the hopper with smaller equipment such as backhoes and skid steers.
In the raised position, the elevated undercarriage gives the trommel ample height to clear rocky terrain and greatly increases conveyor discharge heights for building taller stockpiles.
A new optional tipping grid was designed for the 512 that can also be lowered to reduce travel height. This design also accommodates the larger hopper size, and can fold completely out of the way facilitating the feeding of material that doesn’t require scalping.
Total Transportability, Fully Featured
According to McCloskey, nothing was sacrificed in performance or safety to achieve the tight transport dimensions.
Paschal McCloskey said, “Our partner in the project, Shin Cat, would never settle for a compromise in quality. Our engineering group paid particular attention to the fit and finish on this unit, as well as features like service accessibility. The 512 provides excellent service access through side doors to the engine bay and to all conveyors. The raised track feature also makes the machine highly accessible from underneath.”
The track length on the 512 is 30 to 40 percent longer, relative to overall length, than on previous tracked trommels, providing better maneuverability on the job site as well as further improving the departure angle. The Caterpillar engine was upgraded from an 80 hp (60 kW) unit to a turbocharged 104 hp (77.5 kW) unit to provide power for the new tracked undercarriage.
Introduced with Tier II-compliant engines, Tier III engines will be available for the 512 to meet requirements coming into effect in 2008.
The 512 RET is the smallest McCloskey trommel to come equipped with an end conveyor for efficient stockpiling of oversize material. Remote control for the tracks and radial conveyor is standard equipment. Along with other recent McCloskey trommels, the 512 has its control panel located at the rear of the machine, safely away from the loading area.
While originally intended by Shin Cat to be its entry-level portable trommel, the new 512 has outperformed initial expectations. Shin Cat has now re-classed the machine as the mid-range producer in its fleet, and is working with McCloskey to design a smaller version to suit their customers with smaller requirements.
McCloskey expected the 512 RET to be well-received in North American markets, where customers are also seeking maximum versatility and transportability. In regions such as the New England states, travel is equally constricted by narrow roads, older bridges and congested job sites. The 512 can be a highly efficient producer in applications such as mulch, topsoil and excavation debris. The optional tipping grid allows the machine to take on custom screening, building waste, C&D, and rocky top soil jobs as well.
For more information, call 877/876-6635 or visit www.mccloskeyinternational.com
This story also appears on Truck and Trailer Guide.
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