Launched at Hillhead earlier in 2022 and being launched and showcased at ConExpo in Las Vegas in March, Terex Washing Systems’ (TWS) innovative and versatile FM Pentium has the unique capability to wash one grade of sand and one aggregate on a single chassis - and it’s set to make a big impact in the quarrying and recycling sectors.

 The FM Pentium is a patented product by TWS. It’s design goes against the traditional screening process in the way that you’d normally take off size fractions from smallest to largest by feeding all the material on the top and the smaller size fractions coming out from underneath. With the FM Pentium, we feed the larger material from the bottom and then pump up and take off the sand from the top deck. It’s a unique product that can deliver several configurations in a smaller footprint

 Its first showing at Hillhead certainly caught the attention of many, including County Tyrone contractor Paddy Woods, who had no hesitation in adding the demonstration model to his fleet of equipment. He says he is a big fan of the brand, ever since he acquired an AggWash 60 from TWS for his wash recycling operation. Not only is it helping us achieve our sustainability goals, but we are also creating a sellable product which has opened new commercial opportunities and creates our pathway to a circular economy.”

 With virgin sand becoming more scarce and with an increasing trend towards manufactured sand, the launch of the FM Pentium couldn’t be any more timely. “We are a company that is primarily customer driven,” says Terex Washing Systems Area Sales Manager Conor Maxwell. “We are already getting enquiries about the FM Pentium from across the UK and Ireland, and we see great potential for it on a more global scale; we’re looking forward to launching and showcasing it to our US market during ConExpo as there is nothing quite like it in the marketplace. We see the FM Pentium as the future – and it can also lend itself to a recycling application, demonstrating its versatility.”

 A revolutionary static sand and aggregate washing unit, it is the latest in TWS’s FinesMaster range and builds upon it with its increased production and versatility. The machine combines a collection tank, centrifugal slurry pump, hydrocyclone(s) and a dewatering screen. With a feed rate of up to 150tph of pre-screened material the FM Pentium can produce up to 120tph washed sand.

Small footprint makes it easy to transport and quick to set up

Because of its small footprint, it is ideal for restricted quarry sites and other areas and can be easily transported on a 40ft container, which makes it perfect for Paddy Woods’ operation in Strabane where his company P. Woods & Son Ltd is based.It is a family run business and started out life in agricultural excavation, moved into civil engineering, road works, groundwork and plant hire. It then opened its own restoration site for receiving inert waste and has since started processing inert waste and recycled aggregates.The company, which also ventured into the quarry sector when it acquired a limestone quarry in Bonds Glen just over eight miles from Londonderry/Derry heavily invests in the latest equipment and technology to maximise the recovery of recycled aggregates. Indeed, it aims to re-use 98.3% of what it brings in from a variety of sources. Its crushing and screening customers range from building and civil engineering to demolition and quarry owners.

“When I started the business nine years ago, we had just the one digger; today our fleet of excavators has grown to 15, plus we have also eight trucks on the road, in addition to our crushers and screeners – and we have a great team of people around us.”

Recycled aggregates, which are generated from the processing of materials that have been originally used in construction such as concrete, asphalt, sand, gravel and crushed stone, are ideal for a wide variety of applications including pipe bedding, drainage, granular fill, sub-base and kerbing. “There’s an ever increasing need to maximise efficiency in every way possible, which is why we were initially attracted to the FM Pentium when I saw it at Hillhead,” says Paddy. “It can turn out big volumes of both aggregate and washed sand which has become one of our best selling products. It is ideal for our operation.

 “We initially believed it would take a couple of days to set up on site, but we had it up and running in less than a day. Like most new equipment you’d expect some teething problems, but that hasn’t been the case with the FM Pentium; it has been working from set up and has never missed a beat. It is also very easy to operate, idiot proof really, and extremely efficient to run.”

Back up and support from TWS has proved to be unrivalled

As we mentioned, Paddy acquired a TWS AggWash 60 some time ago and it has proven to be a reliable performer ever since as well as contributing to a circular economy and also opening new revenue streams for the company to ensure swift return on investment.. “That, plus the back up and support I have been given by TWS, gave me the confidence to invest in the FM Pentium, and I haven’t been disappointed. I have dealt with other dealers in the past and while the initial support from them has been good, it usually tails off after a while – that hasn’t been the case with TWS; if anything, it’s quite the opposite - I am getting even more support from them. It’s unrivalled, really.”

Between acquiring the AggWash and the FM Pentium, Paddy has demonstrated his support for the Terex brand by investing in a Terex Finlay jaw crusher and a Terex Finlay Cone.

He tells us he will be travelling to ConExpo in March when one of his first ports of call will be at the TWS stand where the manufacturer will be introducing the FM Pentium to a much bigger audience. The Strabane man, no doubt, will be keen to share his very positive ‘real life’ experience with the innovative and groundbreaking sand and aggregate washing unit which is certain to attract a lot of interest at what is North America’s largest construction trade show – we at Awesome Earthmovers will also be at the exhibition to bring you all the very latest new product launches from many of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers.

TWS are a one-stop-shop for customers looking for wash recycling solutions that ultimately reduce their volume of material going to landfill, while at the same time creating a pathway to a circular economy.  They supply, install, and maintain everything from feeder to filter presses and as well as smaller standalone solutions. TWS have designed and developed innovative washing solutions to reduce waste to a minimum. Our bespoke design washplants ultimately increase diversion from landfill to recover CD&EW materials (Construction & Demolition & Excavation Waste) and convert them into saleable products.

Right from the start they have a dedicated, in factory, applications team who work with the customer to define their needs, laboratory testing is carried out, and then their engineering team design the plant and full solutions to their needs. They also provide a full project management service to deliver, install and commission the plant and it doesn’t stop there, as they also set themselves apart with the 24/7 aftercare support through their regional support networks to ensure maximum uptime and efficiency of their plants. TWS can also provide a range of finance options through Terex Financial Solutions to help the customer pay for their solution.

Find out more on the FM Pentium