Maintenance, scalability, and longevity 

Brute force screens offer a simpler mechanical design, with fewer components and no counterbalancing mass. With fewer moving parts and a straightforward drive mechanism, brute force systems are often easier to install, troubleshoot, and maintain in compact or remote set-ups.

However, that doesn’t necessarily equate to longer life or lower maintenance over time. Brute force systems hit design limitations when scaled up, making them less suitable for larger or high-tonnage operations.

Two-mass systems, by contrast, are built for scalability. Their design allows machines to be constructed wider and longer without losing stroke or efficiency. This means operators can process more material in a single unit, increasing throughput without expanding their equipment footprint. It also opens the door to custom configurations tailored to high-tonnage applications where brute force designs would struggle to maintain consistent performance.

When it comes to wear and maintenance, both systems are comparable, provided they’re processing similar volumes. “Wear is probably equivalent if you’re comparing the same tonnage,” says Huffer.

Screen types and customization 

General Kinematics offers three primary screen designs under the finger screen category: Traditional, Free-Flow, and Velocity (formerly known as FINGER-SCREEN 2.0). Each is built on a two-mass platform but optimized for different materials and system configurations.

Traditional finger screens use a counterbalance beneath the screen to stabilize motion and are ideal for high-volume, rugged applications.

Free-Flow screens eliminate the lower conveying pan, allowing all material to drop through onto a belt. This open-deck design minimizes material buildup and simplifies maintenance, making it especially effective when processing sticky or wet fines.

Velocity screens use multiple screen bodies running out-of-phase to maximize stroke and movement, making them well-suited for light or bulky materials like cardboard.

Choosing between screen types depends on feedstock, separation goals, and job site layout. “It’s about the type of material, the size you’re trying to separate, and how much volume you’re dealing with,” says Huffer.

Handling difficult feedstocks 

Both systems can be used with wet or sticky materials, but the longer stroke and higher energy of two-mass systems make them more effective in these scenarios. The increased vibratory energy helps prevent material from clumping or clogging.

When feedstock is inconsistent or surging, as is often the case in C&D applications, the responsive stroke of two-mass systems enables them to adapt in real-time, spreading material more evenly and maintaining throughput.

When to upgrade

For facilities that currently use brute force systems, upgrading to two-mass can offer a path to greater capacity without increasing footprint. In some cases, a plant can handle significantly more throughput simply by swapping in a two-mass system tuned to the existing space.

Huffer notes that upgrading to a two-mass system is often a natural step for facilities looking to modernize or expand. For operations aiming to boost capacity by 20 to 40 percent, switching to a different screen design can be the most effective solution.

What’s next for General Kinematics?

As customer demands evolve, GK is continuing to scale its technology. In 2023, the company built its largest finger screen to date: seven feet wide and 50 feet long, and weighing in at 130,000 pounds. It was developed to meet growing demand for high-throughput screening in a single unit.

Increasingly, the company is designing integrated systems that combine screens, feeders, and downstream equipment into cohesive, high-throughput workflows for construction material handling. According to Huffer, this shift reflects a broader trend across the industry: reducing manual labour while maximizing throughput and efficiency.

Designing effective screening systems isn’t just about choosing the right machine. It’s about engineering for the feed material, footprint, and long-term scalability. For construction and aggregate producers, two-mass screens offer clear advantages in energy efficiency, foundation protection, and high-volume capacity. But in mobile set-ups or tight job site conditions, the straightforward design of brute force screens still delivers value. For contractors and operators looking to boost throughput or adapt to changing material demands, the right screening system can unlock new productivity without requiring major infrastructure changes.

This article originally appeared in the 2025 November/December issue of Heavy Equipment Guide.