The hallmark of TIL remains in providing innovative solutions.

Our machines are superior by design, amply dimensioned and robust in construction.

Raj Shrivastav ,
Executive-in-Charge, Crushing
& Screening Solutions and HMAP ,
TIL Limited.

TIL is in close partnership with Telsmith Inc., Kolberg Pioneer Inc. (KPI), Johnson Crushers International (JCI) and Astec Mobile Screens (AMS), all of which belong to Astec Aggregate & Mining Group (AAMG). This co-operation results in the design, manufacture, marketing and service support of a range of world-class track mobile plants, wheeled portable plants, stationery plants, unit equipment manufactured at TIL’s Kharagpur Works in West Bengal. Raj Shrivastav, Executive-in-Charge, Crushing & Screening Solutions and HMAP, TIL Limited in an exclusive chat with EQUIPMENT TIMES, throws light on the industry trends and explains innovative and unique features of the range offered by the company.

There has been renewed thrust in the road sector which has brought resurgence to the CE industry. How this growth trend has been reflecting in the sales performance of crushers and screens over the last couple of years?

Infrastructural development has always been the primary focus area of our government. In recent years, roads, airports, ports, smart cities, etc. have seen a resurgence of projects, both new ones and old projects that were stuck in regulatory and land acquisition issues. Consequently, we are witnessing strong demand for crushing and screening plants and equipment, especially portable and track units, which are preferred for their inter-site mobility.

What has been TIL’s performance?

In the last few years, there has been good acceptance in the market for Astec-TIL products, which has led to a positive upward trend in business. We are confident of accelerating this pace with intense focus in the market, by way of strengthening brand value, building capabilities, increasing market offerings and delivering unmatched service. 

Going ahead, how do you expect the growth scenario for the next five years including sectors like irrigation / railways and mining?

We expect good demand from conventional users of crushing and screening equipment, viz. mining, quarrying, construction, demolition and recycling industries, for our range of jaw crushers, cone crushers, vertical shaft impactors (VSI) and vibrating screens in track, wheeled and modular / stationary plant configurations, along with high frequency screens. Our products, especially jaw crushers, cone crushers, vertical shaft impactors and other specialized solutions, will also find application in the production of railroad ballast, in light of the aggressive expansion plans for Indian Railways being undertaken by the government
of India.

How do you perceive the upcoming trends in innovative technologies in the crushing segment? What are the breakthrough technologies in your latest range of crushers and screens with regards to better productivity and ease of operation in the Indian market?

The hallmark of TIL remains in providing innovative solutions for the aggregate, mining, quarrying and construction industries. Our machines are superior by design, amply dimensioned and robust in construction. Astec-TIL offers well laid out crushing and screening plants that ensure ease of feeding, processing and extraction of crushed product. Design standardization ensures reduced lead times.

The ruggedness and reliability of our crushing equipment, based on proven technology of Astec Aggregate and Mining Group (AAMG) Companies, is one of the most important criteria for selecting our equipment. Added to this are the innovative technology incorporated in the design. The Telsmith Hydra-Jaw® range for example features a unique hydraulic toggle, which provides functionalities like fingertip controlled Hydraulic Adjustment and Automatic Overload Relief eliminating expensive downtime and hydraulic chamber clearing.

Both the Kodiak and SBS range of cone crushers feature fixed shaft type of design. A unique roller bearing design of the KPI-JCI Kodiak® Plus series of cone cushers reduces operating expenses substantially while improving production and energy efficiency. The Kodiak® plus cone crusher meets coarse and fine crushing application requirements and offers on-the-fly adjustability for easy operation.

The AMS range of high frequency screens operate at around 3600 RPM and above, maximizing screen efficiency and production. A unique tensioning system provides the quickest screen media changes in the market, vastly faster than competitive models. Our high frequency screens offer ideal gradation control for reclaiming fines in both wet and dry applications. These high frequency screens of unique design ensure efficient separation in dry processing of M-sand, especially in areas where there is a water shortage.

Telematics and data driven technologies have brought a profound shift in the CE sector. How do you assess its impact on the crusher and screen segment in India compared to global trends?

Crushers and screens are capital intensive assets operating mostly in remote and harsh locations. Use of telematics in India is growing in the construction equipment sector to ensure not only tracking, set-up and safety of the machines, but also better monitoring and data analysis, resulting in predictive maintenance and optimal planning of resources. All these ultimately lead to better performance and life of the assets, and hence, peace of mind for the owners and operators. The Telsmith TRAC10®, for example, is a stand-alone control system that monitors crusher operations, provides automated calibration and setting controls, and protects the crusher from overload; all to yield greater crushing performance and efficiency. Optimum crusher settings are maintained via remote monitoring adjustment using the TRAC10®. Operators can initiate an automated calibration process via the touch screen monitor, that automatically “zero’s-out” and resets to the proper setting.

The quality of end product depends on the selection of the right type of plant and screen depending on the gradation. What do you think the major parameters a customer looks into while opting for a crushing plant?

Our wheeled track crushers find application mainly in the quarrying and aggregate industry, where the required capacities are small to medium. These plants are also used in iron ore mining plants of smaller capacities. For larger capacities, stationary plants are preferred, mainly in mining and now-a-days in construction projects as well. Customers demand faster deployment of plants, which has led to a rise in the demand for portable and track units with road contractors who prefer inter-site mobility. Most commercial aggregate producers still prefer stationary plants. Going forward, we see an increasing demand for higher capacity plants. Increased plant availability, higher productivity and closer partnership on service levels will soon become the norm. 

What is the growth potential for crushers and screens in the manufactured sand segment? Are there any specific range offered for the same? If so, please brief us.

With ban on the use of river and beach sand, the demand for manufactured sand or M-sand has grown enormously. A superior quality of M-sand in terms of its heterogeneity and gradation, meeting IS Standards, will further help the growth in demand. TIL, in association with Astec, currently promotes the dry process of separating fines in the production of M-sand, which is effective in terms of productivity, cost of operations and maintenance. The dry process, using a high frequency screen (HFS), is less expensive with minimum operating cost, easy to maintain and does not use water. However, we are also expanding offerings to give our customers a choice.

Why should a customer opt for TILcrushers / screens?

Equipment from Astec-TIL are built for enhanced performance and energy-efficiency by way of ability to process more material in a single pass. Easily replaceable parts make for easier maintenance and lower operating costs.These machines are superior by design, amply dimensioned and robust in construction. Astec-TIL offers well laid out crushing and screening plants that ensure ease of feeding, processing and extraction of crushed product. Design standardisation ensures reduced lead times. TIL is sharply focused on parts and service support through several stock points and a team of experienced service personnel skilled at trouble shooting and operator training.

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