XS Wheel
Sand Washer
A simple, robust wheel-bucket washer that removes clay, silt, and fine impurities from sand and gravel — with minimal fine sand loss thanks to its mesh-screen design. Low power, low maintenance.
6
Models
200 t/h
Max Capacity
10 mm
Max Feed

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
| Feature | XS Wheel Bucket | Spiral Washer |
|---|---|---|
| Working Principle | Impeller rotation + water bath + mesh screen | Rotating spiral + inclined trough + water flow |
| Sand Recovery Rate | Very high — mesh retains fine sand | Good — some fine loss in overflow |
| Water Consumption | Low — closed-loop recirculation possible | Moderate |
| Maintenance | Simple — fewer moving parts | Easy — spiral is robust |
| Footprint | Compact — vertical wheel | Longer — inclined trough |
| Typical Application | Fine sand (0–5 mm), aggregate plants | Coarse sand & gravel, river sand |
Model Specifications
6 standard models. Single-wheel configuration. All accept maximum feed of 10 mm.
| Model | Wheel Diameter | Capacity | Motor Power | Water Consumption | Weight | Get Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS-750 | 750 mm | 15–25 t/h | 2.2 kW | ~0.5 m³/t | 0.78 t | Quote |
| XS-1500 | 1500 mm | 30–60 t/h | 5.5 kW | ~0.8 m³/t | 3.5 t | Quote |
| XS-2300 | 2300 mm | 50–100 t/h | 7.5 kW | ~1.2 m³/t | 5.5 t | Quote |
| XS-2900 | 2900 mm | 60–120 t/h | 11 kW | ~1.5 m³/t | 7.8 t | Quote |
* Capacity for river sand with moderate clay content (PI 6–10). Sticky high-clay feed reduces capacity by 15–30%. Max feed size 10 mm for all models.
Industry Applications
Used wherever clean, specification-grade sand and gravel are required.
Concrete Aggregate
River sand, crushed sand
Removes clay fines that weaken concrete. XS-washed sand meets BS/ASTM aggregate cleanliness standards.
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 removes surface coatings and clay films to achieve SiO₂ > 99.5%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
02
Match Model to Required t/h
6 models range from XS2210 (15–30 t/h) to XS3610 (110–200 t/h). Allow 20% spare capacity and select based on wet-feed tonnage (sand + water).
03
Assess Clay Content
High-clay feed (PI > 15) may require pre-soaking or double-pass washing. A single XS pass removes moderate clay (PI 6–15) to specification.
04
Plan Water Management
XS machines use 0.5–2.5 m³ water per tonne of sand. Plan a settling pond and pump to recirculate water — this typically reduces consumption by 80%.
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.
Maintenance Schedule
Mesh screens and impeller blades are the highest wear items. Regular checks keep washing quality consistent.
Every Shift
- 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
Weekly
- 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
Monthly
- Replace mesh screen panels when open area drops below 60% due to blinding or corrosion
- Drain tank and remove accumulated settled material
- Inspect gear reducer oil — change at 3-month intervals or if oil appears milky (water ingress)
- Measure impeller blade thickness; replace when worn to 50% original
Why Choose MarsCrusher XS Series
High cleanliness with thorough scrubbing action
Minimal sand and fine particle loss during washing
Sealed bearing housing prevents water ingress
Simple structure with low maintenance requirements
Low energy consumption relative to output
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.
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