B&F Consolidated Group’s (BFCG) equipment is what lets it get the job done on crushing projects.
When it comes to crushing, operators need equipment they can rely upon. For B&F Consolidated Group (BFCG), it’s more important than ever.
The crushing contractor helps its customers on various projects of all scales, from technically complex projects through to cost-sensitive projects.
BFCG relies on trusted equipment from leading manufacturers for its project work.
It has developed a refined fleet of equipment and machinery for its soft rock and recycling projects, including a Hitachi ZX490, a Metso LT1213S, a Telestack C2000RT and a Komatsu WA500-7.
BFCG operations director Johan Barnard told Quarry the set-up had proven to be reliable, efficient and capable of sustained high production.
“This set-up has been cranking north of 300 tonnes per hour (tph) comfortably, all day. It is simple and compact and pretty bloody fuel efficient to boot,” he said.
“We purchased the Metso a couple of years ago primarily for producing construction materials from a tailings dam, and this machine has been running nonstop ever since. The Lokotracks are just the Rolls-Royce machines of crushing. They interlock, and they’re smart. That entire plant is run from the excavator’s cabin via a tablet with Metso’s ICR system. There is a fair bit of smart design that has gone into this thing.
“We applied it in laterite gravel, in limestone, in concrete recycling and in asphalt recycling. It has done a fair few million tonnes by now, and we’ve had it for about three years. It is a pretty capable and pretty beastly plant.”
When procuring equipment, BFCG likes to stick with trusted original equipment manufacturers (OEM) that it knows can reliably perform to the parameters required in its crushing projects. The company only works with Metso crushers, Hitachi excavators, McCloskey screens and Komatsu loaders. The company’s investment and equipment development have refined the machines to meet BFCG’s needs.
In the example of the Metso LT1213S, BFCG has beefed it up to be capable of primary and secondary production. The company has upgraded the feeder assembly and modified the chutes to enable them to process wet and dry materials or work in high-abrasion environments like recycled asphalt or concrete.
“A lot of research and development has been done into the machines, above and beyond the OEM specifications to suit our projects,” Barnard said.
By working with this trusted equipment, BFCG has built its business around an extensive component holding, including stocking a range of spare and wear parts for each machine. From spare engines to gearboxes, counter shafts, cooler packs, and beyond, BFCG has developed an extensive array of stock to support its equipment.
Barnard said when parts are required, BFCG can work with the original equipment manufacturers or use its internal stock which reduces project downtime.
“We’ve now fine-tuned this down to optimum wear packages, optimum machines settings and we’ve componentised the business behind it,” he said.
“There is quite a substantial component inventory within our business, which helps keep the support and maintenance up-to-date. That means that when things break down, we can turn it around very rapidly.
“If something goes wrong, we can normally fix it on the day or if not, the next day. It has definitely reduced our contract risk and exposure.”
BFCG’s experienced team members have also spent extensive time developing their own machine-specific maintenance procedures, which incorporate some proprietary knowledge and complement the existing OEM maintenance guidance.
The set-up is further supported by the support vehicles around it, which have been tailored to suit the work BFCG carries out.
“We’ve invested quite heavily in the business, which sets us apart in the market. We’ve internalised everything and vertically integrated it,” Barnard said.
“We don’t rely on the OEMs, we use them, but we don’t rely on them. We’ve designed parts in-house to keep us going during projects. Our work is all about efficiency and speed to market. We’re backing our operations in as best we can to deliver the best outcomes for our customers.” •
For more information, visit bfcg.com.au
