Teri says it was the culmination of these factors that led management to look at acquiring new machinery. An infrastructure update was also required to support the skilled workforce needed to process material quicker, reducing downtime at the site. “Mid 2020 was when we first started looking for machines,” Teri says. “We had just completed a round of organics processing, which allowed us to have more room on site to begin processing larger sales and composting orders. “After the first surge of COVID-19 we realised that it would be better to have a proactive approach. So, I was looking for a machine which would alter our actual footprint on site, to satisfy our needs,” she says. It was during this period that Teri came across Focus Enviro’s FTS65 Mulch Master. The FTS65 Mulch Master encompasses a bespoke hopper complete with a forward/reverse auger which it combines with a high speed discharge conveyor thus ensuring an even spread of material. It also removes the need for separate feeders and stockpile units.

Teri says the introduction of an FTS65 Mulch Master at Eastern Creek has added greater flexibility to the site’s operation. “The FTS65 Mulch Master is the new break through machine in our Organic operation”. With an average throughput of 500m³/hr the FTS65 Mulch Master has allowed us to increase our ability to turn material in comparison to what was achievable with the plant we currently operate. Its design provides optimum aeration of feed stock resulting in a dryer final product. “For me, it gives me the ability to manage run-off and leachate better. It really contributed to our ability to adhere to EPA regulations on site,” she says. “The throughput on the machine is also very fast.” Teri says a windrow turner machine which was elevated and on tracks was previously used at the site. The windrow turner requires a concrete hardstand and windrows need to be a certain width, height, and size. In contrast, the FTS65 Mulch Master is designed for quick and easy transportation, while its unique hopper design ensures 100% of feed stock sees the turner – a process not possible with traditional windrow turners. “The Mulch Master enables us to have greater mobility in our operation, so we are able to drive that machine into the windrow, rather than taking time to displace the machine like the windrow turner,” Teri says. “It greatly reduces downtime”.

An eye-catching feature

Teri says that purchasing a second machine from Focus Enviro was not planned. But when she and her team went to learn more about the FTS65 Mulch Master, another product caught her eye. “Initially when I went to Focus Enviro, I was going to have a look at the FTS65 Mulch Master, but we also came home with a TRT622 Tracked Trommel,” she says. “When we got there, we were shown the 180° radial stacker on the TRT622 Tracked Trommel. At that point we decided to go with that product as well. I was immediately sold on that feature alone.” The TRT622 offers up a number of beneficial features including a unique load sensing hydraulic drive system, eco-power saving functionality which automatically reduces engine speed when material is not detected and a user-friendly control panel to suit varying applications. The TRT622 Tracked Trommel can process a wide range of waste streams, including C&D, industrial and skip management.

Its 22-foot-long drum enables the TRT622 to produce a much higher capacity throughput to the trommels we are used to; with average production rates of 100 tonnes per hour being achieved. The longer trommel barrel also results in the material spending more time screening so less oversize material carrys over to the fines product. In turn, this means less material having to be reprocessed so less double handling.  The screening angle of the TRT622 Tracked Trommel is adjustable, again providing added flexibility for operators.

Teri says the size and remote capability of the machine are also standouts. “The Tracked Trommel itself is actually larger than the other trommels we have on site,” she says. “The remote stacker was another selling point for me. We have stackers on wheels at the site which we move with loaders. Once I saw that this product can be accessed remotely, while our workers are inside their loaders, filling the screen itself, for me that was a game changer.” Teri adds that ease of operation is an essential pre-requisite, which both machines comfortably satisfy. “The machines on our site need to be user friendly. Our operators need to be able to look at a machine and understand its basic functions. These machines are very straight forward,” she says.  We have a large number of machines at this site, and the EDGE products supplied by Focus Enviro have performed as good, if not better, than anything else we have in use out there.