In a promising start to S&R Enterprises’ mandate as a Sandvik Rock Processing distributor, its first Sandvik mobile jaw crusher has been delivered to a mining contractor on a coal operation in South Africa’s Mpumalanga coal fields.
According to S&R Enterprises’ Managing Member, Stephen Smith, the sale highlights not only the demand for Sandvik’s high-quality equipment but also signals a new era in aftermarket support for the Sandvik range of mobile crushers across the country. The machine is a Sandvik QJ341 mobile jaw crusher with a production capacity of 400 tonnes per hour, boasting several differentiators and meeting the customer’s demanding targets.
“With a large feed opening of 1200 mm by 750 mm, this unit can crush down to a 50 mm closed-side setting,” says Smith. “This is a standout feature that positions this mobile crusher very well in the market, allowing the customer to achieve the required output size without having multiple crushing stages.”
He highlights that the Sandvik QJ341 offers the customer the powerful combination of a large chamber jaw crusher with the lower running costs of a medium-sized machine. As a contractor, the customer is also looking for optimal uptime and reliability, which is the focus of S&R Enterprises’ strategy to deliver exceptional service.
“Our approach has always been to build long-term relationships with our customers,” he explains. “This is why we continue to expand our support network to be closer to the sites where our machines operate.”
In close collaboration with Sandvik Rock Processing, S&R Enterprises is also raising its inventory levels in anticipation of the growing demand. Smith says that his business is well known for its agility and quick response times – getting the necessary parts and wear items out to customers when they need them.
“With his experience of how we work, this customer appreciates the agility of our team and the reassurance that parts and service will be readily available,” he notes. “Operational efficiency is non-negotiable, so we want our customers to feel confident not just in the equipment but in the support they’ll receive from us.”
In a coal mining operation, it is also vital to control the generation of fine material, and contractors are usually required to meet certain laid down specifications. The Sandvik jaw crushers perform well on this score, he says. Durability in these harsh operating conditions remains a key factor for contractors, and this solution includes the use of steel hydraulic lines instead of rubber hoses.
“The electronic controls in the Sandvik QJ341 mobile crusher are an important advantage for contractors when compared to mechanically controlled machines,” says Smith. “Safety standards in mining and quarrying are stricter than ever, and electronic controls are more effective in ensuring safe operation.”
For instance, the correct delay timers and other settings can be specified according to the mine or quarry’s particular requirements and procedures. He emphasises that the electronic functionality of the Sandvik machine makes it easier for a contractor to keep up with progress in their sectors.
“It also provides more precise diagnostics, which is another valuable feature to help technicians troubleshoot quickly and keep machines running optimally,” he concludes.
