Welbers in Germany have been operating a sand and gravel plant for generations. In July 2023, it purchased an RM 100GO! hybrid, to produce a 0-16mm fraction final aggregate. The company had found that the cone crushers it used were unable to achieve the quality of results capable of being produced by impact crushers. “With the new RM 100GO! hybrid, we get a much better geometry of aggregate compared to the cone crushers we used to use. Asphalt adheres better and decorative chippings look better; essential criteria for our customers, who range from landscape gardeners and building contractors to private consumers,” says Jonathan Schaffers, managing director of Welbers Kieswerke GmbH.

Impressive trials 

Although the company was initially sceptical about the performance of the RM crusher, a test run in May dispelled concerns. The RM dealer Christophel organised a test run directly at the customer's site to demonstrate how the RM 100GO! processes 16-40mm gravel and oversize feed material of 32-130mm to produce the highest quality 0-16mm final aggregate. In addition to processing gravel, Welbers also tested the machine briefly with C&D waste. The impressive results convinced the customer, which led to the ordering of the RM 100GO! hybrid at the end of May.

The aim of leaving land in better condition from an ecologically standpoint than it was before excavation started, has always been the philosophy of the Welbers' family business. That is why the company decided to go for the hybrid version of the RM crusher in addition to capitalising on the grid connection already on site. Another attractive advantage has been the extensive savings on running costs.

RM states that previously it was rare to process gravel fully electrically using mobile crushers. If an existing connection to the grid exists, however, this is easier than might have been thought. To power the crusher, it is first connected to a 15m cable leading to the grid transformer station and then to the crusher. This simple step sees the machine ready for action in just a few minutes. “We are very satisfied with the crusher because it really delivers the performance it promises in electric mode and does an excellent job of processing gravel,” says Jonathan Schaffers, managing director of Welbers Kieswerke GmbH.

Flexibility and mobility

In addition to cost efficiency and reducing emissions, Schaffers appreciates the additional advantages in terms of the flexibility and mobility of the hybrid crusher. Because the crusher is mounted on a chassis with crawler gear, it can be moved from processing gravel in electric mode to crushing 0-45mm C&D waste directly on site in diesel mode. In contrast to the processing of C&D waste being outsourced, as it was previously, this can now be done flexibly and independently at any location.

This level of mobility paired with low emission drive technology is something that Schaffers really appreciates. 

Welber’s has now processed several thousand tons of gravel since July. The company plans to follow a processing schedule, whereby every couple of months C&D waste will be crushed for two to three weeks. The rest of the time it will process gravel in fully electric mode, crushing in the region of 40,000t of gravel each year, all using the power supplied from the grid. “The RM 100GO! hybrid is ideal for handling both process applications: C&D waste and natural stone. I am delighted we have found Welbers the perfect solution, which is both cost efficient and environmentally friendly," says Christian Knepperges, sales manager at C. Christophel GmbH.