CRUSHING AND SCREENING
Pilot Crushtec and Metso bring next-generation crushing to Africa
Juanita Pienaar spoke with Pilot Crushtec International Sales and Marketing Director Francois Marais and Janne Lahtela, Product Manager, Lokotrack Quarry, at the South African launch of the Lokotrack LT400J. The event, hosted by Pilot Crushtec, marked the first introduction of Metso’s new-generation diesel-electric jaw crusher to the African market. This innovation blends performance, efficiency, and sustainability in a single, robust package. A different kind of launch In an industry not typically known for high-profile product reveals, Pilot Crushtec’s decision to host a dedicated launch event was deliberate. As Marais pointed out during his address, “Strictly speaking, doing an event like this is not common practice in this industry, but then again, I don’t think that anything that Pilot Crushtec does is anything like what anybody else does.” The evening was as much about celebrating partnerships as it was about unveiling new technology. Marais took the opportunity to acknowledge customers, suppliers, and Metso representatives, noting the strength of a collaboration that continues to evolve. “It’s really a great partnership that we have with Metso, both of us trying to do things that are different, that are innovative, with the ultimate intention of making our customers’ operations more profitable, more reliable, and more stress-free.” That philosophy underpins the introduction of the LT400J. This machine may not be the largest in the global Metso range, but it represents a significant milestone in how crushing equipment is designed and deployed. Not only bigger but also smarter While size often dominates discussions around heavy equipment, both Marais and Lahtela were quick to shift the focus. “It’s not about it being big,” Marais explained. “You want to know what’s unique about it? It’s kind of a milestone in the Lokotrack range - the first of their EC range, which is
dual-powered machinery, looking to help our contractors increase their production and save on their cost per ton.” Weighing in at approximately 70 tonnes, the LT400J is undeniably substantial. However, its significance lies in its design philosophy rather than its footprint. Lahtela described it as “a big and robust machine for quarry operations,” but emphasised that its transport width of just three metres is “extremely narrow for this size class,” highlighting a balance between capacity and mobility. With a nominal capacity of 250 to 450 tonnes per hour, “it can do more than that as well,” Lahtela added. The machine is engineered for high-output environments without compromising operational flexibility. The electric advantage At the core of the LT400J is its diesel-
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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS MAY 2026
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