Crushing, screening and materials handling equipment supplier Pilot Crushtec asserts that Africa’s mining, aggregates and construction sectors will gain a productivity and efficiency boost with the arrival of a new generation of diesel-electric digitally advanced mobile jaw crushing technology.

The Metso Lokotrack LT400J marks the next generation of Metso Lokotrack EC range and combines high production capacity with improved energy efficiency, intelligent controls and enhanced serviceability, says Pilot Crushtec sales manager Charl Marais.

“It is built to run for long periods with minimal interruption, while maintaining high throughput and reliability in demanding applications,” he says.

Typical production rates range between 300 t/h and 600 t/h, depending on application conditions, making it suitable for primary crushing circuits on mines as well as large quarrying or recycling operations. Its energy efficiency and reliability underpin longer work cycles, explains Marais.

The C120 jaw crusher’s nip angle can be adjusted and with three nip angle adjustments linear utilisation is improved in various feed material conditions and production rates.

“This machine can operate for up to 50 hours before refuelling which reflects a significant fuel saving compared with conventional diesel-hydraulic machines,” he highlights.

In addition, operators have the option to connect directly to grid electricity, reducing fuel usage and emissions even further.

Pilot Crushtec Africa sales manager Wayne Warren notes that having all the main process functions electrically driven improves overall efficiency while helping to deliver more consistent performance over time.

An additional advance in the unit is its expanded digital control architecture, designed to enhance usability and operational precision. Warren highlights the redesigned remote-control system as one of the most noticeable upgrades.

“The remote is no longer just a basic control unit,” he explains. “It now features an LCD screen that allows the operator to see machine functions in real time and make adjustments directly from where they are standing.”

This reduces the need for two-person coordination during setup or adjustment, allowing a single operator to monitor and manage key functions. Marais adds that the machine’s intelligent remote monitoring systems incorporates more sensors than previous models.

“There is a higher level of feedback from the machine,” he says. “That allows operators to adjust parameters such as crusher settings and conveyor positions without physically intervening which is a significant time-saver and an added safety benefit.”

The digital controls support improved production consistency and preventative maintenance by providing clearer operational data and system status information. Customers can respond more rapidly and conduct quicker troubleshooting, reducing unnecessary stoppages and limiting downtime.

“Our strategic relationship with Metso ensures that Pilot Crushtec continuously develops its after-sales support, training and technical readiness for new technologies,” Warren says.

He emphasises that the Pilot Crushtec team is also well equipped to assist customers with upskilling their operators and maintenance teams so they can extract full value from the technology.

Marais highlights how the improvements in design impact both operation and maintenance, reflecting Metso’s broader design philosophy of integrating real-world operational feedback into equipment development. He points to the redesigned extended discharge conveyor as an example.

“The discharge conveyor can operate at three different angles,” he explains. “You can raise it to build a higher stockpile, lower it to feed directly into the next unit in the crushing circuit or drop it horizontally to the ground for maintenance access.”

This last function is particularly significant as it allows technicians easier access to the underside of the jaw crusher - an area that often becomes difficult to inspect or service on conventional machines.

In addition, the bypass chute behind the jaw crusher is hydraulically adjustable, allowing it to move away from the service area and improve working space during maintenance.

Combined with reduced hydraulic complexity - including a much smaller hydraulic tank used primarily for tracking and setup - these design improvements help shorten service times, reduce maintenance and increase machine availability.

The track-mounted design allows rapid relocation within a site or between sites, enabling operators to respond quickly to changing production requirements.