How Does Mobile Crushing Work? A Complete Guide

Mobile crushing is revolutionizing how construction and demolition projects handle concrete waste. Instead of hauling thousands of tons of concrete to distant recycling facilities or landfills, mobile crushing brings the crusher to your site, processing material on-site and creating immediate reuse opportunities.

What is Mobile Crushing?

Mobile crushing uses self-contained, track-mounted crushing equipment that can be transported to your job site, set up quickly, and process concrete, asphalt, and masonry materials into reusable aggregate—all without leaving your property.

At Inland Concrete Recycling, we use a Rubble Master RM 80 mobile impact crusher, one of the most advanced and efficient mobile crushers available for demolition and recycling applications.

The Rubble Master RM 80: Our Equipment

Key Specifications

Capacity: 150-200 tons per hour processing rate (depending on material type)
Power: Self-contained diesel engine (no external power required)
Mobility: Rubber tracks for on-site movement and positioning
Output size: Adjustable from 3/4" up to 4"
Features:
- Overhead magnetic separator for automatic rebar removal
- Can process concrete with rebar (extra charges apply)
- Integrated dust suppression system
- Remote control operation for safety and precision
- Compact footprint suitable for confined job sites

Why the RM 80?

The Rubble Master RM 80 is specifically designed for concrete recycling:

Impact crushing technology: Produces better-shaped aggregate compared to jaw crushers
High reduction ratio: Processes large concrete pieces (up to 24" feed size) into fine aggregate
Fuel efficiency: Diesel-electric hybrid system reduces operating costs
Low noise: Suitable for urban job sites with noise restrictions
Minimal dust: Integrated water spray system for dust suppression

The Mobile Crushing Process: Step-by-Step

1. Project Assessment and Planning

Before the crusher arrives, we:

Evaluate your site: Access routes, working area, proximity to neighbors
Estimate volume: Calculate tonnage to determine project timeline
Identify material types: Concrete, asphalt, brick, mixed demolition waste
Plan logistics: Equipment positioning, material stockpile locations, product reuse strategy

Minimum project size: 200 tons (approximately 6-8 tri-axle truck loads)

2. Equipment Mobilization

The RM 80 crusher is transported to your site on a lowboy trailer:

Transport weight: ~26 tons
Setup time: 2-4 hours depending on site conditions
Working area required: Minimum 100' x 50' clear zone
Access requirements: Can navigate most construction site access roads

3. Site Setup

Once on-site, we:

Position the crusher: Optimal placement for material feed and product stockpiling
Configure output settings: Adjust crusher gap for desired aggregate size
Set up dust suppression: Connect water source or fill on-board tank
Establish safety zone: Barrier tape and signage around crushing area
Conduct safety briefing: Review procedures with on-site personnel

4. Material Feeding

Concrete is fed into the crusher using:

Excavators: Most common method—excavator loads material into hopper
Wheel loaders: For larger projects with pre-staged material piles
Skid steers: Suitable for smaller, confined projects

Feed size: Material up to 24 inches can be processed, but breaking larger pieces with a hydraulic breaker speeds up crushing

5. The Crushing Process

Inside the RM 80, material undergoes several stages:

Pre-screening: Smaller material bypasses the crusher, improving efficiency
Impact crushing: High-speed rotor impacts concrete against wear plates, shattering it into aggregate
Magnetic separation: Overhead electromagnet continuously removes rebar and wire mesh
Sizing screen: Adjustable screen ensures consistent output size
Discharge: Finished aggregate is conveyed onto stockpile or directly into trucks

Processing rate: 150-200 tons per hour depending on material hardness and moisture content

6. Quality Control

Throughout crushing, we monitor:

Output size: Ensuring aggregate meets specification (typically 3/4" road base or 3" minus)
Contamination: Removing any non-conforming material (wood, plastic, excessive fines)
Metal separation: Verifying magnetic separator is capturing all rebar
Dust control: Adjusting water spray to minimize airborne dust

7. Product Stockpiling

Crushed aggregate is stockpiled in designated areas:

Immediate reuse: Load directly into trucks for base course, fill, or drainage applications
On-site storage: Stockpile for future use in landscaping, roads, or site development
Off-site sale: Transport finished product to other projects (less common, as on-site reuse is more cost-effective)

Cost Savings with Mobile Crushing

Mobile crushing delivers dramatic cost savings compared to traditional haul-away disposal:

Traditional Disposal Costs (1,000-ton project example)

Loading: $3,000 (excavator time)
Hauling: $25,000-35,000 (30-40 truck loads @ $750-900/load)
Tipping fees: $120,000-180,000 (1,000 tons @ $120-180/ton)
Total: $148,000-218,000

Mobile Crushing Costs (same project)

Crusher mobilization: $2,000-4,000
Processing: $15,000-25,000 (1,000 tons @ $15-25/ton)
Excavator time (if not already on-site): $3,000
Total: $20,000-32,000

Net savings: $116,000-186,000 (80-85% reduction in costs)

Additional Benefits

Beyond direct cost savings:

Eliminate hauling emissions: No truck traffic reduces project carbon footprint
Reuse crushed material on-site: Replaces purchased aggregate ($20-40/ton value)
Scrap metal value: Separated rebar has scrap value ($100-200/ton)
Faster project completion: No waiting for haul trucks or coordinating dump runs
Reduce neighborhood disruption: Far fewer trucks entering and leaving the site

Ideal Projects for Mobile Crushing

Mobile crushing is most cost-effective for:

Commercial Demolition

Office building demolition
Retail center redevelopment
Industrial facility decommissioning
Warehouse and manufacturing plant removal

Infrastructure Projects

Parking structure demolition
Bridge deck replacement
Road reconstruction
Runway and taxiway removal

Residential Development

Subdivision development (crush existing pavement for new road base)
Estate home construction (reuse demolished foundation as site fill)
Multi-family construction (process demo waste on-site)

Municipal Projects

School demolition and reconstruction
Park and recreation facility upgrades
Water/sewer infrastructure replacement
Sidewalk and curb reconstruction

Minimum Project Size: Why 200 Tons?

Our 200-ton minimum exists for practical and economic reasons:

Mobilization costs: Transporting the crusher requires specialized equipment and labor
Setup time: 2-4 hours to position, configure, and test equipment
Demobilization: 2-3 hours to clean, secure, and remove crusher
Operator costs: Certified operator wages and benefits

For projects under 200 tons (roughly equivalent to a residential driveway or small patio), drop-off recycling at our Langley facility is more cost-effective. You save on mobilization while still benefiting from recycling economics.

Service Area

Inland Concrete Recycling provides mobile crushing throughout:

Metro Vancouver: Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, North Shore, Tri-Cities
Fraser Valley: Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Maple Ridge, Mission

Distance from our Langley base affects mobilization pricing, but we regularly serve projects from North Vancouver to Chilliwack.

How to Get Started

Ready to explore mobile crushing for your project?

Step 1: Contact Us

Phone: 604-351-0956
Email: inlandcr@hotmail.com

Provide:

Project location
Estimated tonnage or dimensions
Material type (concrete, asphalt, mixed)
Timeline and schedule constraints

Step 2: Site Visit (if needed)

For larger or complex projects, we can visit the site to:

Assess access and working area
Confirm tonnage estimates
Identify any site-specific challenges
Provide detailed quote

Step 3: Scheduling

Once you approve the quote:

We coordinate crusher delivery with your demolition schedule
Provide advance notice of arrival
Confirm operator hours and daily production targets

Step 4: Crushing Operations

Our certified operator:

Manages all crusher operations
Coordinates with your excavator or loader operator
Monitors quality and production rate
Ensures safety compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does crushing take? A: At 150-200 tons per hour, a 200-ton project typically takes less than a day (including setup/teardown). Larger projects are scheduled over multiple days or weeks.

Q: Can you crush in winter? A: Yes, though extreme cold can reduce efficiency. Frozen material requires longer processing time.

Q: What about dust and noise? A: We use water suppression for dust. Noise levels are typically 85-95 dBA at the crusher, acceptable for industrial/commercial zones. Residential projects may require specific hours of operation.

Q: Do you provide the excavator? A: No, crushing pricing assumes you provide a loader/excavator to feed material. We can coordinate rental if needed.

Q: Can I be present during crushing? A: Yes, but you must remain outside the safety zone. Our operator will coordinate access for site managers or inspectors.

Conclusion

Mobile crushing transforms concrete demolition from a costly disposal problem into an economic and environmental opportunity. By processing material on-site, you save money, reduce environmental impact, and create immediate reuse potential—all while keeping your project on schedule.

Contact Inland Concrete Recycling today to discuss how mobile crushing can benefit your next demolition or construction project.

Phone: 604-351-0956
Email: inlandcr@hotmail.com
Service Area: Metro Vancouver & Fraser Valley
Minimum Project Size: 200 tons