No need to choose diesel or electric anymore with hybrid line crushing and screening plants

Meanwhile, the Powerscreen Hybrid range has expanded to 12 models. That means the Chieftain models, Warriors, Horizon and Premier tractors are now available with both diesel and electric drive. In Belgium, they are available from GM Recycling. 

Powerscreen has previously marketed fully electrically driven screening machines but is now betting on models with a dual drive option: electric or with a diesel engine. According to the manufacturer, this will make the machines usable for more different jobs. 

"We care about the environment and the future of our planet," reports the machine builder, originally from Northern Ireland and part of the Terex family since 2009. "That's why we are constantly investing in the development of new energy solutions to offer customers the best choices for their operations." 

And even though electric screening is better for the environment, it need not always be the most economically advantageous solution for users of the screening machines. After all, there are countries or places in the world where electricity is not cheaper than fossil fuels or where power is not available. "The Powerscreen Hybrid range is therefore designed to provide customers with alternative energy options for their crushing and screening equipment. The range of hybrid machines has expanded dramatically to include more all-electric crushers and screens, as well as models powered by innovative combinations of diesel and electricity," Powerscreen announced. 

Caroline Frijling, on behalf of Belgian distributor GM Recycling, comments, "These options allow customers to choose which fuel to use depending on cost, location and availability. Hybrid machines really add something in areas where electricity is cheaper than diesel, where the noise of diesel engines is undesirable or in locations where electricity is the preferred energy source."

At GM Recycling, they notice that the demand for hybrid and electric-powered equipment has been growing rapidly in recent years. "It's obviously a hot topic, companies can get subsidies if they switch to electric, and at the end of the day - especially in Belgium - it results in substantial savings in fuel costs." 

Although the first Hybrid machine has not yet arrived in Belgium, data on the Chieftain 1700X Hybrid are already available in part due to its presentation at the Conexpo-Con/Agg in Las Vegas in January. The manufacturer reported at the time that the Powerscreen Chieftain 1700X Hybrid is an improved version of the previous Chieftain 1700. The screening box is more aggressive and the screening angle has also been improved. The screening area has remained the same size and is 4.88 x 1.52 meters. To facilitate transport, the way the fine conveyor belt is suspended has been modified. It is also possible to sieve at a lower speed, which benefits fuel consumption. The 3-deck machine is available with an additional hydraulically folding conveyor belt, complete with an additional conveyor belt that allows recirculation. It is also possible to reverse the conveyor belt, turning the machine into a 2 deck screening machine. 

And so the operator can choose whether to sift on the diesel engine or with an electric motor. For this purpose, the machine is equipped with an additional electric/hydraulic drive that can be connected to the mains or to an external power supply such as a generator. This allows the sieve to be used both indoors and outdoors.