Hamm: Landfill site increases its capacity with VC compactor

Since 2020, a Hamm H 25i VC compactor has been used at the Steinmühle mixed-waste landfill site to professionally compact waste containing asbestos, glass wool and similar contaminated mineral waste.

The Steinmühle landfill is located in a former basalt quarry. Since basalt naturally contains asbestos, this site is an ideal repository for construction waste containing asbestos and other mineral waste from landfill class 1. Packaged waste containing asbestos has been disposed of here for over 30 years now. Compacted glass wool is also deposited – wrapped so that it is dust-tight and shaped into cuboids. These packages are arranged in layers up to 2 m high. Each of these layers is covered with uncontaminated construction waste material, tile fragments, concrete residues and ash from waste combustion. Since the end of 2020, these layers have been compacted using an H 25i VC crushing compactor from Hamm. It features special safety ventilation to protect the machine operators.

The crushing compactor crushes and compacts material in a single process. "The waste delivered here can be easily compacted using a combination of weight force and vibration. This creates a wide variety of different particle sizes,” explains Peter Förster, manager of the mixed-waste landfill site. After putting various machines and solutions through their paces, he opted for the Hamm roller: "We wanted to minimise hollow space during compaction, as landfill capacity is becoming increasingly valuable. In our opinion, the VC concept is the most efficient solution for this task."

Compacting waste using the H 25i VC allows more material to be stored at the landfill site than originally planned. "We used to use a landfill compactor without vibration. With the VC compactor, we are now achieving a waste density of 1.3 t/m³ at the landfill site. This enables us to use the landfill site for longer, which ultimately increases its profitability," reports Förster. The compaction process was also important to the team: "We are able to optimally intermesh the crushed materials in just a few passes. The vibration is a major benefit here. We cannot achieve the required degree of compaction with static compaction alone." An efficient process for disposing of the waste has become established at the landfill site: Construction waste, together with other waste from the same class, is distributed over each layer of contaminated material to a height of approx. 30 cm. Two members of staff are responsible for crushing and compacting using the VC compactor. Both alternate between operating the VC compactor and other machines. They enjoy working in the cab of the Hamm roller, as it provides a good overview and ease of operation. Operator Markus Döberl sums it up: "There's nothing simpler than operating this roller."

Since the machine components are being used more intensively when crushing stone than during the usual compaction, Hamm has designed the VC compactors as heavy-duty equipment. This means that, amongst others, the 3-point articulation, underbody, front frame and drum suspension with drum drive have been reinforced compared to normal compactors. In addition, all VC compactors are set on highly robust EM tyres and drivers benefit from a seat with an extra-high backrest. The VC compactor is also equipped as standard with the Hammtronic machine control system and the Hamm Compaction Meter (HCM). Despite this version being reinforced, its fuel requirement remains low – approx. 20 l/h at the Steinmühle landfill site.

The decision to choose the VC compactor from Hamm was made with the next few decades in mind as "with waste from landfill class 1 expected to increase, the landfill site will be operated for the next 30 to 40 years," explains Peter Förster. The type of waste being disposed of will change during this time. The majority of construction waste containing asbestos that is currently being produced during many building renovations will be removed at some point and the volume will drop considerably. On the other hand, road construction waste in the form of asphalt rubble containing tar will be created. This material also comes under mineral waste from landfill class 1 and is likewise easy to crush using the VC compactor.

The team prioritised minimal wear and easy servicing, especially because the compactor is an investment for the next few decades. Roller driver Robert Schaumberger finds that "replacing the cutting tool is no hassle at all". The same applies to maintenance. "From this point of view too, the VC compactor from Hamm has proven to be a robust and efficient solution for our landfill site," states Peter Förster.