McCloskey 620 Trommel: Conexpo Screening & Scalping

The recycling industry is facing a reckoning. Increased waste streams, stricter environmental regulations, and a growing demand for resource recovery are forcing operators to seek more efficient and reliable equipment. McCloskey Environmental’s announcement of their 620 Trommel showcase at Conexpo-Con/Agg 2026 isn’t just another product launch; it’s a direct response to these pressures, and a signal of where the industry is headed – towards operator-centric design and sustainable solutions.

Trommels, rotating cylindrical screens, are a workhorse of the recycling world, separating materials by size. However, traditional designs often neglect the practicalities of daily operation – difficult access for maintenance, complex repairs, and downtime. McCloskey’s 620 appears to address these issues head-on. The emphasis on engine access, maintenance efficiency, and reliability isn’t marketing fluff; it’s a recognition that maximizing uptime is critical for profitability in a competitive market. The timing is also key. We’ve seen a surge in investment in recycling infrastructure globally, driven by extended producer responsibility schemes and the circular economy push. Companies like McCloskey are positioning themselves to capitalize on this growth.

The ‘Green Hour’ sessions at Conexpo are particularly noteworthy. This isn’t a typical trade show presentation. By dedicating time to open discussions with operators, McCloskey is essentially crowdsourcing design improvements and building a community around its products. This approach is becoming increasingly common in the tech sector, but remains relatively novel in heavy machinery. It suggests a shift away from the “black box” approach to equipment design, where manufacturers dictate features without sufficient field testing or user feedback.

The Forward Look: Expect to see other manufacturers follow suit, prioritizing operator experience and incorporating feedback loops into their design processes. More importantly, the focus on sustainability isn’t just about environmental responsibility; it’s about future-proofing the business. Regulations surrounding waste management are only going to become stricter. The next iteration of machines like the 620 will likely integrate more sophisticated data analytics – monitoring performance, predicting maintenance needs, and optimizing material separation. We could also see increased automation and the integration of AI-powered sorting systems. The real competition won’t just be about screening capacity, but about the total cost of ownership, including maintenance, energy consumption, and compliance with evolving environmental standards. McCloskey’s move is a smart one, and sets a new benchmark for the industry.