The company Lázaro Echeverría S.A., a family business owned by the FCC group and located in the municipality of Ziordia (Navarra), manages operations in two quarries in Alsasua and Ziordia to supply crushed limestone aggregates to the cement, concrete, asphalt and construction markets in general (public, civil and private works). Founded in 1975, it provides a continuous approach to the improvement of its operating procedures aimed at offering a product with appropriate characterizations for each use with a minimum variability of them, safety being its main priority within a policy of social commitment within a system of CSR (corporate social responsibility).
After years of extracting limestone aggregates, an unstable south-interior front was formed at points determined by a CRS engineering study in Madrid. Fernando Barandalla, Managing Director of Lázaro Echeverría, and Pilar Echeverría, Facultative Director, contacted Epiroc España in Santiago de Compostela through Francisco J. Probanza to design an adequate solution for the stabilization of a sensitive area of the Arambeltz quarry.
Hydraulic milling machine: the safest solution
After visiting the facility, Francisco J. Probanza, Epiroc's regional sales director, suggested that the best solution to meet this challenge would be an ERC 2000 drum cutter, which could be used for several additional applications within the quarry. One of these and the original approach was to start using the ERC 2000 mounted on a Caterpillar 43 t. excavator to systematically - and with great caution - mill the protruding sections at the top of these fronts, pulverizing the limestone aggregate fragments to achieve stabilization. Something that turned out to be a success.
After these stabilization tasks, the team and the equipment continue to work on the long process of eliminating the areas that need to be secured within the quarry (it is expected to be completed in 2020). The management of the Lázaro Echeverría quarry was so impressed by the efficiency of the milling machine that it was decided to apply it for other uses such as front profiling in the final situation, finishing off access tracks and others. Veman S.L., Epiroc's distribution partner, will continue to provide customer service for advice, maintenance and as a strategic supplier in this new implement for Lázaro Echeverría SA.
ERC milling machines: the productive choice for a multitude of jobs
With models suitable for carrier machines up to 70 t. in weight, ERC transverse milling machines are a productive choice for profiling surfaces, rock walls or concrete walls, as well as for demolition and excavation of soft rock and frozen soils. All the milling machines in the range are equipped with integrated 360° hydraulic rotation for optimum precision and good handling, enabling maximum productivity in demanding applications.
The high torque adaptable gear motor offers high efficiency and long motor life, and each unit is equipped with a heavy-duty shaft with slip ring closure with non-lubricated bearing system. Robust toothed gears allow optimum energy transmission and are very reliable, while rugged housings have been upgraded with Hardox anti-wear steel to work in the harshest environments.
Other outstanding features of these milling machines: a wide range of milling drums are available for different applications; the QuickSnap retention system allows cutting tools to be replaced quickly and easily; and tool bushes are replaceable.
Erkat technology inside
The Epiroc range of hydraulic attachments was originally designed by Erkat Spezialmaschinen & Service GmbH, which was acquired by Atlas Copco in 2017. Therefore, the implements incorporate Erkat technology and are now manufactured and marketed under both brands: Epiroc and Erkat.
