Simex is exploring new frontiers for on-site material separation, promoting the advantages of cost savings, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
Selective separation and on-site screening of materials is an increasingly relevant topic in the earthmoving sector, opening up new scenarios and market opportunities. Treating waste materials directly on-site, whenever possible, offers numerous benefits—especially in terms of time and cost savings, the two key drivers of every job site.
By analyzing its reference market, Simex has identified two main application areas that have seen significant growth in recent years:
· HEAVY DUTY – Screening of aggregate waste materials from demolition.
· LANDSCAPING & SOIL REGENERATION – Cleaning and reclaiming topsoil from debris for horticultural purposes and green spaces restoration.
In both cases, the goal remains the same: to preserve all “valuable” materials that can be recovered and reused directly on-site or easily transported elsewhere. In the case of demolition debris, reprocessing the material on the job site significantly reduces disposal costs and eliminates expenses related to purchasing and transporting new raw materials.
In the second case—recovering topsoil—it is worth noting that in many construction sites, proper screening operations can clean and reclaim the soil by removing stones, roots, and debris, resulting in the disposal of the inert fraction only. The soil cleaned and refined with Simex screening buckets is immediately reusable, aerated, and has the right particle size for subsequent planting operations.
VSE TORNADO: a new line of screening buckets for soil cleaning and aeration, even in damp situations
Simex expands the horizons of screening by launching a new line of screening buckets for excavators designed for light-duty applications such as landscaping, green area maintenance, gardening, and small urban jobsites—where maneuvering space is limited and compact dimensions are essential.
The VSE TORNADO screening buckets are engineered to separate materials of different sizes directly on-site, even with the presence of moisture. The new three-shaft configuration with star-shaped elements enhances material swirling, optimizing processing efficiency and improving overall productivity.
Designed for mini and midi excavators from 1.5 to 10 tons, the TORNADO range is ideal for cleaning soil from debris, stones, and gravel, as well as for compost aeration. It is also perfectly suiteìable for preparing bedding layers and covering underground utilities and pipelines.
This makes it possible to screen, reduce, clean, and aerate organic waste and soil in a single bucket load—accelerating the composting process and producing screened material with an ideal particle size for green area restoration and subsequent planting. The minimized waste volume also helps reduce disposal and transport costs to specialized facilities.
The VSE TORNADO buckets feature an innovative quick-change system for replacing the entire shaft or individual screening elements. This solution allows for quick and easy maintenance directly on-site, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous operation and higher efficiency.
The standard output particle size is 0–20 mm, however, by adjusting the spacers, it can be reduced to 0–10 mm or increased to 0–30 mm, depending on application needs and site requirements.
Depending on the material type, the bucket can be equipped with polyurethane tools, ideal for wet or sandy soils and for preserving the integrity of the screened material, or with steel tools, recommended for heavier-duty applications and abrasive materials.
Commenting on the development of the new line, Nicola Sisti, R&D Project Engineer at Simex and head of the company’s screening bucket division, stated:
“Simex has been investing in screening buckets for years, though the focus has traditionally been on recovering heavy aggregate materials from demolition and crushing. In recent years, however, the market has increasingly expressed the need for on-site soil cleaning and recovery. I’m referring to urban green maintenance, compost aeration, gardening, and small private worksites. The goal is to clean the soil from stones and debris, avoiding total disposal in landfills and reusing directly on-site a valuable soil suitable for planting.”
Sisti concludes:
“This approach aims at reducing disposal costs and help private users save on the purchase of new soil,” perfectly in line with Simex’s philosophy of promoting sustainable and cost-effective solutions for industry professionals.