Log Washers

McLanahan Log Washers

Heavy-Duty Washing and Scrubbing for Difficult Materials

McLanahan Log Washers are heavy-duty washing and scrubbing machines designed to clean and break down tough, clay-bound, dirty and contaminated materials.

The aggressive scrubbing action helps remove clay, dirt, coatings and other unwanted materials from the surface of aggregate and mineral particles.

Log Washers are particularly effective for applications where conventional washing equipment may not provide sufficient scrubbing action.

They are commonly used in aggregate processing, mining, mineral processing and other applications requiring intensive material washing and scrubbing.

How McLanahan Log Washers Work

Feed material and water enter the Log Washer at the feed end.

Inside the machine, one or two rotating shafts equipped with heavy-duty paddles aggressively scrub and move the material through the washing chamber.

The paddles create intense material-on-material scrubbing, while the water helps loosen and carry away clay, dirt, fines and other contaminants.

As the shafts rotate, the material is lifted, mixed and scrubbed before progressing toward the discharge end.

The cleaned material is discharged from the opposite end of the machine, while the liberated fines and contaminants are carried away with the wash water.

The process can be summarized as:

Washing + Aggressive Scrubbing + Clay Removal + Material Separation

Aggressive Scrubbing Action

The primary advantage of a Log Washer is its ability to provide intense mechanical scrubbing.

The paddles continuously agitate the feed material, causing particles to collide and rub against each other.

This action helps break down and remove tough coatings and contaminants that are difficult to remove through simple water washing.

Log Washers are particularly effective for materials containing:

Tough clay
Sticky dirt
Mud
Surface coatings
Organic contamination
Fine adhering particles
Other unwanted material

Clay Removal

Clay can bind aggregate and mineral particles together and reduce the efficiency of downstream processing.

The aggressive action of the Log Washer helps break apart clay-bound material and release individual particles.

The wash water then carries liberated clay, fines and other unwanted materials away from the cleaned product.

This can improve the quality and cleanliness of the final product.

Washing and Scrubbing of Aggregates

Log Washers are widely used in aggregate applications where material requires intensive washing.

They can help remove:

Clay
Dirt
Mud
Dust
Organic material
Other surface contamination

The resulting clean aggregate can then be sent to screening, classification or other downstream processing equipment.

Material Separation

During operation, the Log Washer provides both scrubbing and washing.

Heavy particles and cleaned aggregate move through the washing chamber toward the discharge end, while lighter unwanted material and fines are carried away by the water.

This combination allows the Log Washer to perform an important cleaning and conditioning function within a complete washing plant.

Single and Twin Shaft Configurations

Log Washers can be configured with one or two rotating shafts depending on the application and required level of scrubbing.

Twin-shaft configurations provide intense material agitation and are particularly suitable for difficult-to-wash materials.

The appropriate configuration depends on:

Material characteristics
Required capacity
Clay content
Feed size
Required scrubbing intensity
Product specifications

Applications

McLanahan Log Washers are suitable for applications including:

Aggregate washing
Mining
Mineral processing
Quarrying
Sand and gravel processing
Clay removal
Material scrubbing
Washing and classification
Product cleaning
Contaminant removal

Typical materials include:

Crushed stone
Gravel
Sand
Limestone
Granite
Recycled aggregates
Mineral ores
Clay-bound materials
Other difficult-to-wash materials

Key Features & Benefits

Heavy-duty washing and scrubbing
Aggressive mechanical scrubbing action
Effective clay removal
Helps break down clay-bound material
Removes dirt, mud and surface contamination
Material-on-material scrubbing
Suitable for difficult-to-wash materials
Single- or twin-shaft configurations
Continuous operation
Robust construction
Suitable for high-capacity applications
Can be integrated into complete washing plants
Improves cleanliness and quality of processed material
Suitable for mining, quarrying and aggregate applications

Factors Affecting Log Washer Performance

Actual capacity and washing performance depend on several factors, including:

Feed rate
Feed particle size
Material type
Bulk density
Clay content
Material hardness
Moisture content
Material abrasiveness
Required scrubbing intensity
Water flow rate
Slurry concentration
Shaft speed
Paddle configuration
Retention time
Product specifications

Proper equipment selection and process design are important for achieving the required washing and scrubbing performance.

Selecting the Right Log Washer

The appropriate Log Washer should be selected based on:

Material type
Required capacity (TPH)
Maximum feed size
Feed gradation
Bulk density
Clay content
Moisture content
Material abrasiveness
Required degree of cleaning
Water availability
Required scrubbing intensity
Number of shafts
Downstream screening and classification equipment
Overall process flowsheet

Laboratory or pilot testing may be recommended for applications where material characteristics or required washing performance need to be evaluated.

Cube Solutions can evaluate your application requirements and assist in selecting the appropriate McLanahan Log Washer configuration.