Aggregates as a material
Aggregates include sand, gravel, crushed rock, limestone, and gypsum, each with distinct behavior. Particle shape, size, moisture, and density determine penetration, flow, and discharge, which affects bucket fill, wear, and cleanup. That variability often means more effort, slower cycles, and higher maintenance, unless your equipment is designed for it. Applications range from rail ballast and steel additives to construction materials. The right grab geometry, closing force, and wear package keep fill factors high while limiting maintenance.
Aggregates handling challenges
Coarse, dense, irregular material is difficult to penetrate and to fill efficiently. Low stowage factors, especially for limestone and gypsum, reduce tonnes per grab and increase cycle counts and operating costs. Abrasion accelerates wear on lips, liners, ropes, and sheaves. Powdery or sticky fractions can hang up and slow discharge. Terminals need strong closing forces, controlled rope loads, and configurations that maintain steady cycle times with minimal spillage and downtime.
Choosing the Right Grab
For most aggregate mixes, NemaX provides fast penetration, secure filling, and straightforward maintenance, which supports high throughput and lower OPEX. For extremely coarse or blocky materials, a heavy-duty Clamshell offers reliable closure, long service life, and consistent performance under high loads. Nemag tailors capacity, closing force, lip design, and wear packages to your aggregate and crane setup to maximize tonnes per hour with fewer interruptions.
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