| Remote control of overflow bin doors |
The problem at the asphalt plant at Harlow related to the overflow/reject bin inside the plant building. This bin collects aggregate either rejected by the screens or when one of the hot stone bins overfills. When there is a full signal on the plant, the loading shovel driver is informed to empty the bin. The emptying
process involved the driver having to do several things:
- Drive to the bin and park the loading shovel under the bin;
- Climb out of the cab;
- Walk round to the door control button located on a structural leg of the plant;
- Empty the contents into the loading shovel bucket; and
- Climb back into the machine and take the aggregate back to the stock bays.
This procedure could be carried out up to ten times per day. It was decided to try and reduce the access and egress carried out by the loading shovel driver to and from the cab.
A remote control device was installed so the overflow/reject bin door could be opened by the loading shovel driver from a button fitted in the cab of the machine. This has eliminated the need to regularly
egress and access the cab removing the risk of falling and slipping from the machine steps. |