This is one in a series of articles designed to familiarize you with your concrete batch plant. Aggregate batcher discharge gate(s) are operated by a pneumatic cylinder. The cylinder receives air from a double acting solenoid valve that operates from an electrical signal from the batch control. To operate a double acting (inching) solenoid valve, two signals are required; one open and one closed. Both signals need to be momentary. Flow controls are installed on the solenoid valve or cylinder that regulates the air flow to the cylinder. The flow controls are installed allowing the operator to regulate the speed at which the cylinders move to allow for precise control of the gates; critical for accurate and efficient concrete batching. During normal operation of the…
Read More
There are many factors to consider when purchasing a hot water heater for your concrete plant. In this video, Bobby Giannetti from Infern-O-Therm will show you one of the industry’s leading water heating solutions. One of the most important factors to consider is durability. You want your hot water heater to last. Features that contribute to a more durable hot water heater are rolled steal that is lapped and a double weld, as opposed to one that is end-butted with a single weld, which will result in an overall weaker build quality. Another important factor is the efficiency of the unit. Proper angles of the holes on the gas ring can maximize a unit’s efficiency by giving a more complete burn. Bobby does a great…
Read More
Today’s producers have many choices when it comes to mixing concrete at a central mix plant. One option that is becoming more requested by ready mix producers is the Horizontal Reversing Mixer. By watching the above video, you’ll learn about the top seven reasons why CON-E-CO’s Horizontal Reversing Mixer is perfect in today’s redi-mix market. After over 25 years of tried and true testing in the European market, Con-E-Co decided to produce the only HRM that is completely designed, engineered and manufactured in the United States. In a short period of time the Horizontal Reversing Mixer has become recognized as the most efficient, effective and safest mixer on the market. The HRM’s impressive list of features include: Non-tilting discharge Rubber tire drive system Specifically designed tires Sealed inlet…
Read More
Our company, Mid Atlantic Concrete Equipment, has been attending World of Concrete or CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade shows as a vendor of concrete plants and equipment for over 25 years. Our industry (concrete equipment and construction) like many others has changed dramatically with the new economy. Committing to a trade show the likes of World of Concrete or CONEXPO-CON/AGG that can allegedly draw in excess of 230,000 attendees from both venues and fill all three halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center as well as millions of square feet of outdoor displays is an incredibly expensive undertaking and strains the resources of the most well healed participants. Only the most seasoned buyers can stay focused on their mission in an environment such as this. These shows are…
Read More
It’s a fact; we all do business with people we know, like and trust. Without those three fundamental building blocks at the base of any business relationship things are doomed from the start. We don’t expect to, nor do we want to sell a concrete plant to every producer. If you think long enough about that statement I’m certain you’ll agree that the same could be said for your ready mix operation and your customers. Truth be told, some folks are better left to your competition. A good fit with your concrete equipment dealer is essential to a successful partnership. Our core responsibility to our concrete-producer customer is to help them sell more— and higher quality— concrete profitably so that they can provide high levels…
Read More
By Jay Robinson, President, Mid Atlantic Concrete Equipment The job of specifying, installing, troubleshooting, repairing and upgrading ready mix or precast concrete batch plants provides a unique opportunity to see what works and what doesn’t when it comes to batch plant efficiency. I’d like to share five principles we have observed that always seem to lead to more efficient, and therefore more profitable, operations. A simple definition of concrete batch plant efficiency is the ratio of (a) the cost of inputs (employee hours, materials, energy, equipment, etc.) to (b) the revenue generated by sales. In other words; the lower your costs and the higher your revenue, the greater your efficiency. The most efficient batch plants produce more concrete with less wasted material, lower repair costs,…
Read More
We’ve all had or heard about “close calls” when it comes to working in and around batch plants. Plant operations including; conveyor belts, aggregate gates and electrical panels are just of few of the everyday dangers faced by you and your employees when working in and around your concrete batch plant. Workers can be electrocuted or lose fingers, hands, arms, or suffer severe crushing injuries because machinery is inadvertently turned on while being serviced or maintained. These injuries can be prevented by establishing an effective lockout program. This article will deal with Lockout/Tagout or “LOTO” and why plant operations should include these easy to follow guide lines. As defined by the US Department of Labor, “Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)” refers to specific practices and procedures to safeguard…
Read More
Regular maintenance on your tilt mixer is your best insurance against breakdowns and downtime. You have a big, powerful concrete plant that may look indestructible, but it needs consistent attention to keep the central mix drum spinning and the profits rolling in. The first step to take in your maintenance plan is to establish a schedule and follow it faithfully. Assign appropriate tasks to the responsible employees, and be certain that they understand the importance of their assignments. A comprehensive tilt mixer maintenance schedule identifies steps that you should take at 5 different intervals: • Continuous monitoring during operation • Daily Maintenance • Weekly Maintenance • Monthly Maintenance • Annual Maintenance To download a tilt barrel maintenance schedule developed by the engineers at CON-E-CO in Blair,…
Read More
Beginning last year, our state concrete association opened its committee meetings to any interested members. I attended out of curiosity and was hooked almost immediately. I had not realized the extent of the efforts being put in by concrete producer members and associate members to keep concrete top of mind at our state’s DOT and to promote concrete to municipalities, builders, and end users. State concrete associations vary in size and effectiveness. The association nearest to our main office, Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association (PACA) www.pacaweb.org is one of the very best, along with several other state associations we’re proud to be affiliated with (see their logos at the bottom of the home page at www.maconcrete.com) Did you know that: • Pennsylvania faces a 70%…
Read More
by Jay Robinson and Owen Blevins Mid Atlantic Concrete Equipment One complaint we’ve heard from concrete plant buyers is that there is no single source of information about how to go about setting up shop. From surveying your market to selecting a location, obtaining permits, and deciding on which kind of plant to buy, there are hundreds of decisions to be made. Fortunately, the major steps can be boiled down to the following list of seven items. Some business, some technical, and all very important to your success. Often it is considerably less expensive to purchase a new concrete plant over a used concrete plant. Used plants almost never have the idea combination of sizing and options that perfectly matches what the concrete batch plant…
Read More