| Overflow bin from asphalt plant hot bins |
An overflow bin has been manufactured and installed at various locations to prevent overrun from the hot bins discharging directly onto the floor around the customer loading area. Previously, this posed a major trip hazard.
The bin is basic but effective. The material is collected from the overflow of the hot bins on the plant, and stored in the bin until it reaches an upper level.
This is monitored by the plant operator with the aid of a fixed camera. As the level is reached, he informs the shovel operator. To empty the bin, the shovel driver approaches and uses the front lip of the bucket to push open the door at the bottom of the bin. This then discharges the material into the empty bucket of the machine. He can, at any time, reverse the process and close the door. The hot material is returned to stock, and cooled for use the next day.
The savings made on the material returned to stock can be considerable – up to 15 tonnes per week, which would previously have been considered contaminated and sent for disposal at a landfill site.
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