Ozinga Chicago Ready Mix Concrete, a division of Ozinga Bros. Inc. recently purchased a new LBX 8000Q material handler from McAllister Equipment Co. After several months of use, Ozinga said it is very pleased with the operation and performance of the new machine.

Ozinga is currently using the new machine to unload barges which are each carrying 1,500 tons (1,360 t) of fine or coarse aggregates for concrete production, according to Pete Huisenga, equipment manager.

The material handler has a 55-ft. (16.8 m) boom length with a 5-yd. (4.6 m) hydraulic boom bucket.

The 8000Q boasts a 438-hp (327 kW) Cummins turbocharged engine and a standard operating weight of 176,400 lbs. (80,000 kg).

According to Larry Hasse, yard manager of the Chicago branch of Ozinga, the new machine is “serving us well.”

Phil Templeman, the operator, also likes it. “It is comfortable and it cuts production time down in half. It used to take seven hours to do a stone barge, now it can be done in three-and-a-half hours because of the new material handler,” he said.

Hasse added that the technology on the 8000Q has improved from the previous model, a 20-year-old Link-Belt LS7400. “The new machine has a 5-yd. bucket, one additional cubic yard than the previous machine” he said.

Ozinga’s LBX 8000Q also features a Young 6-ft. (1.8 m) riser in the cab, a Young bucket and a Young 55-ft. (16.8 m) material handling boom.

Young Manufacturing also provided a gauge widening system, which gives the operator a 30-in. (76 cm) wider stance on the tracks and a better capacity when lifting over the side. According to Huisenga, the system was installed by LBX in Kentucky before being sent to Chicago.

Ozinga’s operation, which is located on Cermak and South Lumber streets, has the new LBX working with Volvo wheel loaders to get the job done.

The limestone and other material that is unloaded by Ozinga comes from the Material Service pit in Romeoville, IL, and the sand comes from Galena Road Gravel in Chilicothe, IL, Huisenga said.

The company’s production usually averages 12 barges a week, with the new machine handling most of the barges and the balance by a boom crane. The machine is in operation six days on most weeks.

“The Link-Belt is really working out well,” Huisenga said. “Unloading two 1,500-ton barges a day used to be a 15-hour deal, now it has been cut down to eight hours or less. It has really worked out great.”

Ozinga also has purchased approximately 27 Volvo wheel loaders from McAllister over the years to help with the whole operation.

Marty Ozinga IV, vice president, said he is pleased with the new addition to the company. “We are very proud and have been very pleased with the LBX machine. The performance has surpassed our expectations. We have been extremely pleased, not only with the machine, but with McAllister’s service as well.

“McAllister has been great to Ozinga over the years. Their service has been very good for us as a company and that has extended with this new machine. Any issues we have with the machine, they seem to be right at our doorstep to help us out with anything we may need,” he said.

Ozinga Chicago RMC Inc. has three facilities to serve the city and its immediate suburbs. Yard 6 is located at 1818 103rd St. Yard 7 is located at 2255 S. Lumber St. The Yard 9 facility is at 2001 N. Mendell St.

For more information, call 312/656-8786 (for Ozinga) or 708/389-7700 (for McAllister).

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