HERE ARE SOME COMMON AREAS OF CONCERN WITH CONVEYOR BELTS AND HOW TO QUICKLY REPAIR THEM WHILE ON THE JOB. By Mark S. Kuhar Rip-detector installed. Compared to practices from more than a century ago, today’s modern technology helps improve production much more efficiently. However, sometimes new technology and methods can malfunction, causing procedures to abruptly halt until the problem…
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Loadout and Transportation
THE LATEST INNOVATIONS FOR MOVING MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT OUT THE GATE AND UP THE ROAD. By Mark S. Kuhar and Josephine Smith While the bulk of an aggregates operation’s equipment and technology focus is the equipment down on the quarry floor, producers are also seeking the latest innovations for moving material and portable machinery out the front gate and up…
Read MoreRock Products 120th Anniversary – Part 2
IN THIS SPECIAL YEAR-LONG SERIES CELEBRATING OUR 120TH YEAR PUBLISHING MILESTONE, ROCK PRODUCTS PRESENTS A HISTORY OF THE AGGREGATES INDUSTRY. In This Issue, We Cover The Years 1911-1920. The rock products industry entered the new decade with one thing foremost on its mind: roads. The need for development of consistent, reliable roads was recognized by every industry in the United States. In…
Read MoreMaximizing ROI With Operator Training
HOW TO IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT PRACTICAL COST IMPROVEMENTS AT YOUR OPERATION. By Chris Connolly The future looks bright for the aggregates industry, with reports showing continual increases in production over the last two years. However, finding and retaining qualified workers remains a challenge. On top of that, 2014 production levels turned out to be higher than originally forecasted, suggesting that…
Read MoreA Productive Solution
NEW BIRMINGHAM INC.’S NEW EXCAVATOR HELPS INCREASE CYCLE TIMES AND PRODUCTION. By Mark S. Kuhar It’s a question that crosses every operations manager’s mind on a daily basis: How do we increase productivity and efficiency? For Rick Bailey, senior vice president of operations for New Birmingham Inc. (NBI), and his team, the answer is a Hitachi ZX670LC-5 Excavator. Decreased Cycle…
Read MoreSaving for the Future
LAKEVIEW SAND AND GRAVEL INVESTS IN TWO NEW LOADERS TO REDUCE OPERATING COSTS. By Mark S. Kuhar Determining how profitable a company can be is not always based on how much revenue it can make, but rather, how much a company can save at the same time. Matthew Willson (right), owner of Lakeview Sand and Gravel, has believed in this…
Read MoreRock Products 120th Anniversary – Part 1
IN THIS SPECIAL YEAR-LONG SERIES CELEBRATING OUR 120TH-YEAR MILESTONE, ROCK PRODUCTS PRESENTS A HISTORY OF THE AGGREGATES INDUSTRY. In This Issue, We Cover The Years 1896-1901. Before there was Rock Products, there was Cement & Engineering News. Founded in July 1896 by William Seafert, the journal set out to serve a fledgling cement industry whose primary work involved the construction of sidewalks…
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Aggregates Production Increases in First Quarter. By Mark S. Kuhar
Read MoreHighest And Best Use
VALUATION GUIDANCE REGARDING BUFFER LAND AT QUARRY OPERATIONS. By Gary R. Loke Highest and best use (H&BU) analysis is a founding principle in real property valuation. When applied to the valuation of land at the buffer area of a construction aggregates operation, it triggers interesting and relatively complex matters for consideration. Base-level understanding about the current user and the user’s…
Read MoreHow to Beat Blinding
One of two of the screen decks at Great Lakes Aggregates screening limestone with Flex-Mat 3 screen media. GREAT LAKES AGGREGATES FINDS A WAY TO KEEP ITS SCREENS CLEAN. By Mark S. Kuhar Michigan-based Great Lakes Aggregates Inc. produces approximately 1 million tpy of limestone at its Sylvania Minerals Quarry located in South Rockwood, Mich. As the quarry increased the…
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