Construction and demolition sites generate huge volumes of waste material every year. Rather than paying to remove it and paying again to buy in replacement aggregate, more businesses are investing in on-site crushing and screening equipment to process material themselves. A crusher and screener machine working together can turn rubble, concrete and hardcore into a usable final product, saving money and reducing waste sent to landfill.
In this blog, we explain how crushers and screeners work together, which materials are best suited to on-site recycling, and how to choose the right machine setup for your project.
The role of a crusher
A crusher breaks down large pieces of concrete, brick, rubble and other demolition waste into smaller, more manageable material. Depending on the model, a crusher can process a wide range of materials, from soft brick and block to reinforced concrete, turning larger pieces into consistent, reusable aggregate.
Red Rhino’s crusher range is built to suit different project sizes and material types:
- RR4000 – our compact model, ideal for smaller crushing jobs. It’s narrow enough to pass through a standard doorway, making it suitable for sites with limited access such as landscaping or small demolition projects.
- RR5000 and RR7000 – mid-range machines that bridge the gap between light and heavy-duty crushing, suited to a wide range of construction and groundwork applications.
- RR8000 – our largest crusher, designed for high-throughput, heavy-duty work such as quarry and major demolition projects. With an 800mm x 500mm jaw, hydraulically driven vibrating tray and wireless remote control, it’s built to process large volumes with minimal downtime.
The role of a screener machine
Once material has been crushed, a screener machine sorts it by particle size. Screening machines separate materials using a screen surface, typically made from wire mesh or screen mesh, allowing finer particles to pass through mesh openings while larger particles are retained on top. This process ensures the final product meets the required specification, whether that’s a fine aggregate for landscaping or a coarser material for sub-base.
What is a screener machine used for?
Industrial screening equipment is used across various industries, from waste management and quarrying to food processing and the separation of metal powders. Different types of screening machines suit different materials and requirements. Vibratory screens use a circular or linear motion to move material across the screen media, making them effective for dry, free-flowing materials.
Trommel screens and rotary screens use a rotating drum, which is often better suited to wet materials, sticky materials or abrasive materials, as the tumbling action helps break up clumps and reduces blinding of the screen mesh.
Designed for construction and demolition waste
Screener machines can also be built with multiple decks, so material passes through several mesh sizes in a single pass. This means a single machine can separate particles into two or three different sizes at once, rather than needing multiple pieces of equipment. The bottom deck typically has the smallest mesh openings, capturing the finest material, while coarser particles are retained higher up.
Red Rhino’s 3-Way Screener is designed specifically for construction and demolition waste. It separates crushed material into three grades in one pass, giving you a ready-to-use final product without the need for multiple screening passes.
Which materials can be recycled on site?
Crushers and screeners are well suited to processing:
- Concrete and reinforced concrete
- Brick and block
- Hardcore and rubble
- Tarmac
- Natural stone
By using a scalping screen ahead of the crusher, oversized material can be removed before processing, protecting the crusher and improving overall screening efficiency further down the production process.
Choosing the right crusher and screener setup
The right machine setup depends on your site, the amount of material you need to process, and the material type you’re working with. Smaller sites with limited access often suit a compact crusher like the RR5000+ paired with a 3-Way Screener, while quarry or large-scale demolition projects benefit from the RR8000’s high throughput and heavy-duty build.
Choosing the right product for your specific needs also means considering material separation requirements. If you need several different sizes for various applications, a multi-deck screener will deliver better results than trying to achieve precise separation with a single screen.
Environmental and cost benefits
Processing waste material on site with a crusher and screener machine reduces the amount of material sent to landfill and cuts down on skip hire and haulage costs. Recycled aggregate can be reused directly on site or sold on, turning a disposal cost into a revenue stream. Over a long time, this leads to significant cost savings, reduced reliance on external suppliers for raw materials, and a lower environmental impact for your business.
FAQs
What is a screener machine used for?
A screener machine is used to separate materials by size after crushing. It sorts crushed material into different grades, from fine particles to larger pieces, ensuring the final product meets the required specification for its intended use.
Do I need both a crusher and a screener?
For most construction recycling projects, yes. The crusher reduces large pieces of waste material into smaller, workable sizes, while the screener sorts that material into different sizes for various applications. Using both machines together produces a higher-quality, more consistent final product than crushing alone.
Can processed material be reused on site?
Yes. Once crushed and screened, recycled aggregate can be reused as sub-base, backfill or landscaping material, reducing the need to buy in new raw materials and cutting down on waste management costs.
What size mesh do I need for my screener?
This depends on your material type and the particle size you need in your final product. Red Rhino can advise on the right screen size and mesh openings for your specific requirements.
Construction recycling onsite – contact Red Rhino today
Whether you need a compact crusher for a small project or a full crusher and screener setup for large-scale demolition, Red Rhino can help you find the right machine for your business. Get in touch today for a free quote or to discuss your requirements.
- Fill out our online contact form
- Call us on +44 (0) 1476 590790
- Email info@redrhinocrushers.net
