Sand Washing

XS Wheel Sand Washer

A simple, robust wheel-bucket washer that removes clay, silt, and fine impurities from sand and gravel, with controlled fine-sand loss through its mesh-screen design. Low power and low maintenance.

XS bucket wheel sand washer for manufactured sand, gravel and aggregate fines de-sliming
Models
4
Max Capacity
120 t/h
Max Feed
10 mm

How the XS Sand Washer Works

The wheel-bucket design combines water-bath scrubbing and centrifugal drainage — removing clay efficiently while retaining fine sand that screw-type washers often lose.

01

Feed In

Sand and gravel enter the water-filled wash tank from the feed chute. Water level is maintained by continuous supply and overflow weir.

02

Scrub

The motor-driven impeller slowly rotates (1–2 RPM), rolling material in the water bath. Particle-on-particle attrition breaks up clay coatings and aggregate clusters.

03

Settle

Clean, heavy sand particles sink and are scooped by the impeller buckets. Fine clay and silt remain in suspension and exit via the overflow weir.

04

Drain & Discharge

Scooped sand passes over the mesh screen arc, where surface water drains back. Clean, partially-drained sand exits the discharge chute.

Wheel Bucket vs Spiral Washer

Technical data and model comparison
FeatureXS Wheel BucketSpiral Washer
Working PrincipleImpeller rotation + water bath + mesh screenRotating spiral + inclined trough + water flow
Sand Recovery RateMesh is intended to retain fine sand; confirm with feed testingFine loss depends on feed grading and overflow control
Water ConsumptionLow — closed-loop recirculation possibleModerate
MaintenanceSimple — fewer moving partsEasy — spiral is robust
FootprintCompact — vertical wheelLonger — inclined trough
Typical ApplicationFine sand (0–5 mm), aggregate plantsCoarse sand & gravel, river sand

Model Specifications

4 standard models. Single-wheel configuration. All accept maximum feed of 10 mm.

Technical data and model comparison
ModelWheel DiameterCapacityMotor PowerWater ConsumptionWeightGet Quote
XS-750750 mm15–25 t/h2.2 kW~0.5 m³/t0.78 tQuote
XS-15001500 mm30–60 t/h5.5 kW~0.8 m³/t3.5 tQuote
XS-23002300 mm50–100 t/h7.5 kW~1.2 m³/t5.5 tQuote
XS-29002900 mm60–120 t/h11 kW~1.5 m³/t7.8 tQuote

* Published capacities are reference values. Sticky or high-clay feed can materially reduce practical throughput; quantify the effect with representative feed testing, solids loading, and the proposed water balance. Published maximum feed size is 10 mm for these models.

Industry Applications

Used wherever clean, specification-grade sand and gravel are required.

Concrete Aggregate

River sand, crushed sand

Washing may reduce clay fines that weaken concrete. Compliance with any BS, ASTM, or project aggregate limit requires representative sampling and laboratory testing.

Road Construction

Crushed limestone, granite chip

Clean aggregate free of PI fines required for asphalt mixes and base course material.

Glass Sand Production

Quartz sand

Multiple-pass washing may remove surface coatings and clay films, but final SiO₂ grade and impurity limits require mineralogy and product assay confirmation.

Iron Ore Beneficiation

Iron ore fines

Pre-washes ore before wet magnetic separation to remove clay that blinds magnetic drum surfaces.

Coal Preparation

Fine coal, middlings

De-sliming of fine coal before froth flotation or dense medium circuit.

Artificial Sand Plant

Manufactured sand (VSI output)

Removes stone powder (stone dust) from VSI crusher output to meet construction sand specs.

Main Components

Six components — understanding each helps you troubleshoot washing quality and sand loss.

01

Impeller / Wheel Bucket

The rotating impeller blades agitate material in the wash tank and carry clean sand upward for drainage. Blade pitch determines residence time and washing intensity.

02

Wash Tank

Water-filled tank where sand is submerged and scrubbed. Overflow weir continuously removes suspended clay and silt while clean sand sinks to the impeller.

03

Mesh Screen / Sieve

Perforated screen at the top of the impeller arc retains fine sand while allowing water to drain back into the tank. Mesh size selection is critical for minimising fine sand loss.

04

Gear Reducer & Motor

The low-speed (1–2 RPM) impeller is driven through a heavy-duty gear reducer. Low speed prevents sand from being flung over the screen by centrifugal force.

05

Water Supply & Overflow

Clean water is continuously added while cloudy overflow water carries away clay. A settling pond or hydrocyclone can recirculate overflow water to reduce consumption.

06

Discharge Chute

Washed, drained sand slides down the chute after reaching the screen arc. Discharge angle and chute length can be adjusted to suit downstream conveyor layout.

Selection guide

Four factors determine the right XS model and configuration for your sand washing circuit.

Step 01

Determine Feed Material & Size

The XS wheel washer handles material up to 10 mm. For coarser gravel (10–50 mm) a spiral washer is more appropriate. Confirm P80 feed size before selection.

Step 02

Match Model to Required t/h

Four published models range from XS-750 (15–25 t/h) to XS-2900 (60–120 t/h). Do not apply a fixed capacity margin: size from dry-solids feed, added water, clay and fines loading, feed variability, target availability, and the drainage duty of the selected screen.

Step 03

Assess Clay Content

High-clay feed may require pre-soaking, attrition, or multiple washing stages. Do not assume a single pass will meet specification; verify the circuit with feed testing and product samples.

Step 04

Plan Water Management

The published model table lists approximate water demand from 0.5 to 1.5 m³/t. Develop a site water balance for the actual feed and evaluate settling, classification, and recirculation before sizing pumps or ponds.

Not sure which model?

Tell us your feed material type, clay content, required output t/h, and available water supply. We'll recommend the right model and water management system.

Ask an Engineer

Maintenance basis

Mesh screens and impeller blades are the highest wear items. Regular checks keep washing quality consistent.

Operating checks

  • Check impeller rotation — irregular wobble indicates worn bearing or loose shaft
  • Inspect mesh screen for torn or clogged panels — blocked panels reduce drainage and cause carryover into tank
  • Monitor overflow clarity — if very turbid, reduce feed rate or increase water supply
  • Check gear oil level sight glass

Planned inspection

  • Lubricate impeller shaft bearings per maker's schedule
  • Inspect impeller blades for wear — worn leading edges reduce washing efficiency
  • Clean overflow weir channel of settled fines build-up
  • Check belt tension and V-belt wear if belt-driven model

Condition-based service

  • Measure usable mesh open area and replace panels at the maker's wear limit or when drainage and product performance no longer meet the operating target
  • Drain tank and remove accumulated settled material
  • Inspect or sample gear-reducer oil and change it according to the maker's lubricant limits, operating hours, contamination, and evidence of water ingress
  • Measure impeller blade thickness and compare it with the maker's minimum section and the observed washing duty before replacement

Why Choose MarsCrusher XS Series

  • Wheel-and-bucket washing action for clay and excess-fines removal
  • Fine-sand loss depends on feed grading, water rate and overflow control
  • Sealed bearing housing intended to limit water ingress
  • Accessible structure for routine inspection and maintenance
  • Motor power is listed by model for duty comparison

FAQ

XS Wheel Sand Washer FAQ

Short answers to common procurement questions before requesting quotation.

What feed size is suitable for XS wheel sand washer?
XS models are generally intended for fine sand and small aggregate fractions. Confirm max feed size against model specs before final selection.
How can I reduce water consumption in sand washing?
Use a settling pond and recirculation loop. Closed-loop operation can significantly reduce fresh water usage while keeping cleaning performance stable.
How do I minimize fine sand loss?
Control water flow and maintain mesh condition. Excessive overflow velocity or damaged screen panels are common causes of fine loss.
When should I consider a spiral washer instead?
For coarser feed and longer retention requirements, a spiral washer can be more suitable. The final choice depends on feed gradation and target product quality.
How should payment terms be verified?
Payment method, deposit schedule, currency, beneficiary, and release documents must be stated in a supplier-issued proforma invoice or sales contract. Do not transfer funds based only on website copy; independently verify the beneficiary and document version before payment.
How should shipping terms be confirmed?
Available destinations and Incoterms depend on the quoted equipment and route. The quotation should name the port, Incoterms version, freight scope, packing method, export-document responsibility, insurance, and any exclusions; destination duties and local permits also need separate confirmation.
What installation and commissioning scope should I confirm?
Ask the quotation to state which drawings, manuals, remote support, site supervision, commissioning tests, and acceptance records are included. If on-site work is offered, the contract should also allocate travel, visa, accommodation, safety, tooling, and schedule responsibilities.
How should I plan spare and wear parts?
Request a wear-parts list with part numbers, material grades, recommended opening stock, quoted availability, and replacement lead time. Parts availability and interchangeability are not confirmed until they appear in the written supply scope.
What must the warranty document cover?
The warranty period, start date, covered components, exclusions, evidence required for a claim, and available remedy must be stated in the signed contract. Website information is not a warranty certificate; pay particular attention to wear parts and site-condition exclusions.
Water & Fines

Define the Water Balance and Fine-Sand Cut

Water demand and fine-sand loss depend on feed grading, clay content, overflow control, and the recovery circuit. Use measured samples and a site water balance before setting recycle, yield, or product claims.

Site balance

Water Recycle

Recycle potential depends on fines loading, water quality, settling area, classification equipment, and evaporation.

Feed test

Fine-Sand Loss

Measure the feed grading and overflow solids for the proposed washer; do not assume a fixed loss for wheel or spiral designs.

Circuit-specific

Fine-Sand Cut

A hydrocyclone and dewatering screen may recover additional fines, but the cut size and product yield require testwork.

Submit the product specification, raw-feed grading, clay test, water supply, and target tonnage so the washer duty and water-balance assumptions can be documented in the technical proposal.

Document Plant Inputs

Project brief

Start with the operating duty, then narrow the equipment path.

Share four operating inputs so we can rule out unsuitable models early and explain the assumptions behind the shortlist.