Mills Construction is undertaking a major cleanup project focused on reclaiming and processing recycled asphalt from an old asphalt plant site in Austin, TX. Leading the operation is Steven Muse, Site Operations Manager, who oversees the daily workflow, production goals, and equipment performance onsite. The mission is straightforward but demanding, crush and transform the existing recycled asphalt into a clean, uniform material that can be resold and reused across the region.
To accomplish this, Mills Construction is renting a Cedarapids CRH1111R, a portable closed-circuit plant known for its impact crushing power and screening capabilities, they also utilize their MGL 836 stacking conveyor, both sourced through Powerscreen Texas. The combination has allowed the company to streamline the process of turning weathered, inconsistent material into something refined, usable, and sought after.
Crushing Performance That Exceeds Expectations
Typically, recycled asphalt often comes in contaminated with oversized chunks that are difficult to reuse in their initial form. However, once fed into the Cedarapids CRH1111R, the transformation is dramatic. According to Steven, the material goes through the machine efficiently and emerges as a clean, consistent one-inch minus product which is exactly the size the team is targeting.
Steven shared that “the CRH1111R chews up the material pretty good,” emphasizing how effective the machine is at breaking down even the toughest recycled asphalt chunks. From the first weeks of operation, the team noticed that the output was not only consistent but also ready for sale immediately upon discharge.
“We are very pleased with the high production rates we are seeing with the CRH1111R,” he noted, pointing to the unit’s strong ability to maintain throughput without sacrificing material quality. The machine’s integrated screen and recirculation system ensure that the final material is uniform, clean, and ready for distribution to customers who need a asphalt for driveways, country roads, and small construction jobs in the region.
A Project Timeline Transformed by Efficiency
When Mills Construction originally estimated this cleanup project, they projected a timeline of six to seven months. However, just two and a half months into the job, the team found themselves far ahead of schedule. The speed and consistency of the CRH1111R played a major role in accelerating their progress, drastically reducing the expected duration of the entire operation. The ability to complete the work months earlier than anticipated not only saves time but also reduces costs and opens the door for Mills Construction to take on additional projects sooner than expected. For Steven and his crew, the increased production is one of the most valuable benefits the Cedarapids plant has delivered.
Key Features Driving Production at Mills Construction
Several features of the CRH1111R have stood out to Steven and his team during this project. The machine’s strong impact crushing capabilities give it the ability to break down recycled asphalt effectively, while the large 5’ x 16’ two-deck inclined screen ensures precise separation and sizing of the material. The integrated recirculating conveyor maximizes screening capacity, allowing the machine to deliver a more consistent finished product without requiring additional handling.
Steven has also been impressed by the plant’s low maintenance requirements, which have been essential in maintaining steady production. The combination of crushing strength, screening capacity, and ease of operation makes the CRH1111R a powerful tool for processing recycled asphalt with minimal downtime.
Reliable Support from Powerscreen Texas
Throughout the duration of the project, Powerscreen Texas has played a key role in supporting Mills Construction. Steven shared that their rental experience has been excellent, emphasizing the flexibility Powerscreen Texas offers in both equipment availability and rental terms. The proximity to Powerscreen Texas’s headquarters in La Grange has also proven beneficial, especially when it comes to parts availability and service response times.
Steven expressed strong confidence in the support team, stating, “I would absolutely recommend Powerscreen Texas to anyone. It’s been great. Whenever we have an issue, they have been quick to get back to us and sending a mechanic. Parts are easily accessible… we haven’t had a lot of downtime with these machines, and we are pleased overall.”
Delivering Clean, Market-Ready Material
One of the standout results of this project is the consistent quality of the final product. The Cedarapids CRH1111R has proven to be exceptionally capable in producing clean, fine, and uniform material.
Mills Construction’s project in Austin showcases how the right equipment, combined with reliable support, can dramatically improve productivity and outcomes. With the Cedarapids CRH1111R and the trusted backing of Powerscreen Texas, Steven Muse and his team have turned a lengthy cleanup into a success story, delivering high-quality recycled asphalt faster than anticipated and with exceptional consistency.


