Epiroc helps break it down for Local Mix

Local Mix provides quarrying products, recycled concrete, and mobile crushing services to clients across Victoria. And to keep business ticking, reliable hydraulic breakers are non-negotiable. 

Over the past 50 years, Local Mix has made a name for itself providing high-quality construction materials to Victoria’s Geelong region and beyond: and that’s where the Epiroc HB 2500 comes in.

Offering concrete pumping, concrete recycling, and sand and gravel products, the business has always aimed to maintain its personal, local business mindset.

Started in 1971 by Trevor Richardson, Local Mix was later joined by Trevor’s son, Steven Richardson. Steven now serves as General Manager, and oversees all quarrying operations.

“I did one year of university before deciding to join the family business,” he says. “I’ve been there for 31 years now. Today, the business has two main sides: concrete production and quarrying, which includes mobile crushing.”

From the ground up

Of course, the success of any quarry operation hinges on its ability to downsize tough material. This means that for any such business, a reliable hydraulic breaker is key. Enter the Epiroc HB 2500.

Optimised for 27 to 46-tonne excavators, the HB 2500 is tailored for demanding applications, including demolition, mining, and quarrying.

The attachment features a range of advanced technology features to ensure productivity and reliability. Maintenance downtime is reduced thanks to an automatic lubrication system, and Epiroc’s Intelligent Protection System provides protection against blank firing by automatically adjusting the attachment’s behaviour during start-up and shutdown.

Local Mix’s first HB 2500 was the first Epiroc product the business had purchased. Steven says the experience was nothing but positive, and quickly led to the purchase of a second.

“We have our two HB 2500 hydraulic breakers attached to 30-tonne Cat excavators, and use them in both quarrying and mobile crushing,” he says. “We do a lot of crushing of paddock rock for local farmers, using the HB 2500s and our mobile crushers. At our basalt quarry, they’re used to downsize oversized rock, and to break down large lumps of concrete for recycling.”

Nathan Parziani, from Epiroc dealer BA Equipment Group, says he’s sold HB 2500 hydraulic breakers into a range of industries, and the feedback on their power is universally positive.

“Any breaker can only put out what you put in, with regards to power,” he says. “And Epiroc’s HB range is industry-leading with their power input and efficiencies.”

Steven says Local Mix previously used a different brand of hydraulic breaker, but an untimely failure sent them looking for alternatives.

“Local Mix decided to go with Epiroc based on their good reputation, and both them and BA Equipment Group have been very good to deal with,” he says.

Heavy breakthrough

Nathan says that as a dedicated attachments business, BA Equipment Group can provide a more targeted service and support offering for its products.

“We’re Epiroc’s largest Australian dealer, covering WA, NT, Queensland, Victoria, and Papua New Guinea,” he says. “We’re also well supported by Epiroc because they have a local presence in Australia. That helps a lot when it comes to holding and supporting their stock.

“We have dedicated service trucks, experienced technicians, and we like to get involved in the day-to-day operations of our customers, including planning with customers to do routine maintenance during plant shutdowns.”

Steven adds that he and his team have been pleased with the backup support from BA Equipment Group, further adding to Local Mix’s confidence in the Epiroc products.

“BA Equipment Group has also been really good helping us out, and they make sure to check in every now and then,” Steven says. “We had one go in for a reconditioning service, and they had all the necessary parts available, and got it done promptly.”

Nathan says the quality of products like the HB 2500 makes Epiroc easy to recommend to businesses like Local Mix.

“They’re a premium product, and their maintenance requirements are quite low,” he says. “They’re hard-wearing and high- performing. They’re basically bulletproof.”

For more on Epiroc’s range of hydraulic breakers and other attachments, visit: www.epiroc.com/en-au/