Testimonials
Xclude® Desiccant Breather installation at Eastern Concrete Materials saved $30,000 by preventing seal failures.
key takeaways
Challenge
Jesse and his crew frequently replaced vibrating screen bearing seals due to dirt-clogged OEM breathers, resulting in two annual failures and approximately 4,000 tons of stone lost from unscheduled downtime.
LE solution
David O’Connor advised Jesse to install an Xcude® Desiccant Breather to effectively filter dirt and absorb moisture.
Results
The Xclude Desiccant Breather effectively prevented seal failures for two seasons, was easy to monitor and replace, and contributed to an estimated $30,000 in savings by increasing production.
LE helped to increase production by solving a serious problem.
- Jesse Fabian
Customer Profile
Eastern Concrete Materials, a subsidiary of US Concrete, operates a large high grade granite quarry. They run five 10-hour shifts weekly, with an output of 5,800 to 7,000 tons of crushed stone per day. The quarry has been in operation since 1954. Jesse Fabian is in charge of production. The plant produces numerous types of crushed stone that meet the needs of specialty markets. To accomplish this, many screen changes are required. Jesse has been able to maintain high production goals even with the interruptions of so many screen changes.
Application
An area that was a major concern to production was the Telsmith 6’X16’ scalping screen. This screen separates the large size stone from the smaller stone. The location of the scalper is in the beginning of the process. Of course, when this screen is not operating, the production falls off.
Challenge
The OEM breather would plug up with dirt. The internal air pressure would build up and blow out the bearing seal on the vibrating screen bearing. Jesse and his crew had replaced the seals so many times that they were able to do it in two to four hours depending on various conditions. Most years they would have two seal failures. This equates to about 4,000 tons of stone lost due to unscheduled downtime.
LE Solution
David O’Connor, LE lubrication consultant, recommended that Jesse install an Xcude® Desiccant Breather, which would filter out the dirt and absorb moisture.
Results
The Xclude Desiccant Breather prevented seal failures for the first two seasons of use. It is easy to see when the breather needs changing, and it’s easy to change.
“LE helped to increase production by solving a serious problem,“ Jesse said.
He estimated that the savings were about $30,000.