Ener-Con, Inc. Chose More Productivity with a High-Production Tub Grinder

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Ener-Con, Inc. stakes its claim as the largest wood recycling company in the state of Wisconsin, specializing in making high-quality landscape mulches for large landscape companies and garden centers.

Strong seasonal demand requires a reliable high-production tub grinder that can consistently produce high-quality mulch. The solution came in the form of the Vermeer TG9000 tub grinder that packs the power for large wood processing applications and features a large 11-ft (3.4-m) tub opening.

“The TG9000 is very consistent, very reliable and very high production. We have been upward of 1,400 yds3 (1,070.4 m3) per hour of finished product through that machine,” said Jeff Justman, co-owner, Ener-Con, Inc. “It gives us an advantage over our competition. It can almost do the work of two machines. If we didn’t have the TG9000 on our site, we would have to rely on two more workdays per week, which we don’t have in the busy season.”

The TG9000 provides optimal cutting performance with its patented Series III duplex drum.

“It is faster than anything I ever ran. I can barely keep up with it,” said Kyle Wolf, manager at Ener-Con, Inc. “Working with other machines, the day just dragged on. I had to work 14 or 15 hours a day. Now I get out of here in nine hours and I have twice as much done. The Vermeer TG9000 tub grinder gives me a lot more time at home.”

A powerful 1,125 hp (838 kW) Tier 4 Stage V engine and a smooth, 63-in (160-cm) belt that enables high-volume product removal help Ener-Con get more work done every day with its high production tub grinder.

Paper mills and sawmills provide Ener-Con, Inc. with a steady source of material. But every supplier has a different procedure for removing bark, which results in inconsistent source material that varies widely in size. The tub grinder needs to be able to handle this material and produce a consistent end product. The TG9000 rises to the challenge.

“The consistency of the product is great,” said Justman. “We don’t worry about going back and looking for spears or inconsistency in our product. Everything comes out perfect the first pass through the grinder.”
Ultimately, minimizing the need for second passes during the grind process saves Ener-Con, Inc. time and labor.

Anyone familiar with grinders can quickly identify a brand by its unique color. During a plant tour at the Vermeer manufacturing facility, Justman learned that Ener-Con, Inc. could order a custom-colored machine. This was an opportunity to differentiate the company from its competition.

“We wanted to make a statement,” said Justman. “We wanted something that would be bold and strong. We decided to paint it black.”

While the color makes a statement to customers, the Vermeer TG9000 has also made an impression at Ener-Con, Inc. When comparing actual performance to the wish list, it checks off all the boxes of what they wanted in a high-production tub grinder.
“When the machine arrived, it was everything I wanted it to be. The operation of it is very simple. The maintenance is very simple. Everything about the machine is great,” said Justman. “Vermeer has a great dealer network, great service, great support, a great sales team and great parts availability. I wouldn’t even consider looking at another brand of grinder now.”

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com