Screening and crushing: Vertical Shaft Impactors

Date: 05.06.2024

Pilot Crushtec’s range of VSI is designed to deliver a targeted and high crushing ratio, which has a consistent grading curve over VSI’s lifetime

VS100 shaping rock and making sand

With the strong opposition to the mining of naturally formed deposits, sand suppliers in New Zealand and across the Pacific have been steadily migrating to the production of material using vertical shaft impactors — or VSI as they are known in the industry.

For businesses looking at extending their product offerings or those who want to increase the output of their existing sand production plant, a Pilot Crushtec Twister VSI could be the piece of plant they need.

Capable of manufacturing sand for certified high-strength concrete and asphalt, Pilot Crushtec’s range of VSI is designed to deliver a targeted and high crushing ratio, which has a consistent grading curve over VSI’s lifetime.

Trevor Heaphy

On that basis, it can produce high-quality sand with an excellent particle shape from the surplus material of conventional rotor crushers. Sanland Equipment’s Trevor Heaphy sold his first VSI in 2005 and has been involved with the equipment for some 19 years across three businesses.

"In the past two decades, Twister VSI crushers have proven themselves as high performance, cost-effective solutions," says Trevor. "I can confidently say that we have sold more VSIs than any other supplier in the country in recent years."

Big capacity

VS100 has a capacity of 100tph

Pilot Crushtec manufactures several models suited to different production requirements. The VS350, capable of 350 tonnes per hour, is available from Sanland Equipment, along with its smaller VS100 sibling.

VS350 has a capacity of 350tph

Introduced in 2021, the VS100 is a popular model in New Zealand, with the machines primarily deployed in hard rock quarrying and sand processing applications around the country.

The VS100 is a popular model in NZ

"With the sourcing of sand from coastal areas and riverbanks severely restricted due to environmental consequences, there’s a continual growing demand for manufactured sand, which the VS100 proves ideal for," says Trevor.

Small river rock made in open circuit

"With a capacity of up to 100 tonnes per hour, the machine is well-suited to many New Zealand businesses for either sand production or rock shaping."

Pilot Crushtec’s heritage in the manufacture of VSI dates back to over 30 years, with their experience and manufacturing methods resulting in some key features.

Anvil ring configuration

These include a modular rock chamber, which allows processing to go from autogenous crushing to anvil ring crushing configuration. Additionally, the VSIs are designed for efficient rock-box build-up.

With a design focus on easy maintenance, the VS100 features a hydraulic lid, which opens and then rotates to expose the modular rock chamber and rotor. An on-board jib crane for safe removal of the rotor is also installed as standard.

"The modular VSI units include a skid structure, which requires no special site preparations and can be operational within hours of installation," says Trevor.

"These features, combined with low initial costs, minimal maintenance requirements, and easy operation make the VSI range an attractive choice for businesses."

Safety features are numerous, complying with international standards and include a non-slip and chemical-resistant inclined staircase and a three-sided platform. Non-metallic walkways and galvanised handrails also add to the safety of on-site personnel.

Rock on Rock with rockshelf configuration

As part of its commitment to customers, Sanland Equipment keeps in stock a substantial quantity of spare parts and wear components, with complete rotor and bearing sub-assemblies available straight off the shelf.

Twistertrac VS350E

"For those needing a mobile option, Pilot Crushtec have the Twistertrac VS350E, which is a tracked version of the VS350," says Trevor. "There are a few units in New Zealand and the Pacific, and they are extremely popular in Australia."

Supplementary products

Sand making from hard rock

Post VSI treatment, Sanland Equipment supplies sand and aggregate washers to remove fines or silt, along with dewatering screens for taking the water out of the wet/washed sand. Inclined and horizontal vibrating screens of all sizes, including washing screens and custom-made metal and poly meshes are also available.

For pre-VSI processing, Sanland has a wide range of primary and secondary crushers, such as jaw, cone, and impactors, for producing aggregate products and reducing rock size down to the optimal VSI feed size.

All machines can be supplied as a bare unit with a motor or supplied as a modular plant on a skid frame made to specification. Sanland also supplies a full range of conveyor equipment, custom-built conveyor systems, and conveyor belt replacements.

"There’s a lot of noise on sand-making, and we have the only proven solution that offers the lowest barrier to entry and fastest return on investment for sand-making," says Trevor. "It’s also the best-selling VSI in the market and has outsold the most well-known brand in recent years."

For more information, visit sanlandequipment.co.nz.

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