Capital Equipment News April 2019

CONCRETE BATCHING

local component partners. “All the parts are locally sourced to keep everything off the shelf. This translates into maximum uptime for our customers,” says Greyling, adding that even the software is developed locally and is exclusive to Liebherr Africa. “It’s a truly African plant designed for local African conditions.” When it comes to cost-effective transportation of the plant, Van der Merwe explains that by being fitted onto a single trailer, transport costs are reduced significantly. Greyling explains that Liebherr opted for horizontal silos, which allows the silos to be horizontally loaded onto the trailer. The design allows the plant to meet all the required specs: 4,2 m high, 2,4 m wide and under 17 t in weight – all achieved on a single trailer. In terms of assured concrete quality to the end user, Van der Merwe explains that the DBP 60-M’s batching software allows the customer to prove batch constituents. “Meanwhile, computer-controlled batching allows for consistency in quality,” he says, adding that the automatic batching control maximises quality assurance to gain a competitive edge on more demanding projects, while reducing the need for excessive cement usage. “From a skills level perspective, we modelled the software around average operators. The plant is easy for an average operator to operate, which ensures accuracy on site,” explains Greyling. Another major design consideration was reduced installation time (cost). Because of its self-contained design, little assembly is required on site, allowing for quick establishment. “Site establishment is quick as no civils work is required – establishing the plant calls for only two pieces of foundation to stabilise the trailer,” explains Greyling. He adds that the plant can be erected in two days using a 20 t mobile crane. However, to maximise self-sufficiency, owners can choose to mount cranes on their trucks. Van der Merwe says the plant sets new levels when it comes to mobility in concrete production. “By being a high- output plant that is complete on a single trailer, the DBP 60-M allows Liebherr customers to access new markets which are not already saturated by competitors. Simply attach the plant to a truck-tractor (horse), tow it to site and with little preparation on site, the plant will be batching in no time,” concludes Van der Merwe. b

The DBP 60-M offers the same weighing principles as a wet plant, but without the wear and tear of an integrated mixer as the plant discharges directly into mixer trucks.

As a result of its self-contained design, little assembly is required on site, allowing for quick establishment.

Key design features As Van der Merwe explains, the key design features considered a number of operation- al parameters, but mainly low maintenance costs, cost-effective transportation, quality of concrete and reduced installation time and cost. In terms of low maintenance costs, by being a plant without wearing parts associated with wet (mixing) plants, wear and tear is reduced. Meanwhile, local componentry ensures ease of access to spare parts through Liebherr itself or its

the plant discharges directly into mixer trucks. This is complemented by Liebherr’s fleet of truck mixers already configured for dry batching. “The DBP 60-M offers the capabilities of a wet batch plant. However, we removed all the unnecessary features found on wet batch plants: 90% of local customers use only about 40% of the wet batch plant capabilities. This translates into a lower upfront costs, as well as reduced lifecycle maintenance costs due to less components,” says Greyling.

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