EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT | AUGUST 2026 Attachments

by MARY M. THORNTON
maryt@americanrecycler.com

Attachments used in the demanding environments of scrap metal and automotive processing operations must be designed for durability, reliability and efficiency. A wide range of products may be utilized across different yards, and the manufacturers and equipment outlined below represent some of the most common and effective solutions used to support these applications.

Iron Ax produces a full line of scrap processing equipment, attachments and hydraulic cylinders for many different industries. The company’s attachment products include shears and grapples. All shears feature replaceable wear parts, a removable tip and 360 degree continuous rotation. Among the four different sized shears available, the smallest provides 600 tons of cutting force and the largest, 1,000 tons of cutting force.

Recycling Equipment Sales, Inc./Iron Ax

Iron Ax manufactures a variety of grapples, designed for the scrap metal recycling and timber industries. Grapples can be purchased as rotating or non-rotating and all rotating grapples feature 360 degree continuous rotation. The firm’s standard grapple is a 4 tine variety with wings, which allows the grapple to provide greater enclosure for smaller pieces of scrap. “We also offer the opposing tine variety of contractor grapples, in 2×3 and 3×4 configurations and have also manufactured custom grapples for specific applications in the railroad and oil and gas industries. All of our grapples are made of domestic T1 plate, are extremely heavy duty and built to last. We have manufactured scrap processing equipment since the 80s and soon, we’ll also unveil some newly designed grapple options that we believe will be very popular with our clients,” reports John Kitchens, president.

The Raptor recycling attachment is purpose-built and designed to transform the way scrap yards handle end-of-life vehicles. Conceived and designed by an auto dismantler source for use in that operation 15 years ago, Raptor is now offered in flat pack kit form to be used on a bladed excavator. The product is available in the U.S. through Vortex.

The Raptor is offered two different sizes. The V25 can be fitted to a 22t excavator and the V15 can be fitted to a 14t excavator. “Both options provide efficiency, precision and exceptionable durability and performance in harsh environments. These factors play a critical role in modern automotive recycling operations, where speed and material recovery directly impact profitability,” described Nigel Dove, Vortex chief executive officer. The primary benefit of the Raptor is the attachment’s ability to streamline the dismantling process to maximize user profitability. Traditional methods of handling scrap cars often involve multiple machines or manual intervention, which can slow operations and increase labor costs. The Raptor attachment, however, allows one operator to securely grip, lift, rotate and dismantle vehicles with ease. This enables faster stripping of valuable components such as engines, transmissions, axles, wire harnesses and catalytic converters, thus reducing turnaround time per vehicle.

Vortex De-pollution/Raptor vehicle dismantler

Another major advantage is enhanced material recovery. The precision and control offered by the attachment allow operators to separate different materials more effectively. This leads to cleaner sorting of metals, plastics and other components, which increases the overall value of recovered materials. Durability is also a key feature. Built to withstand the harsh conditions of scrap yard operations, the Raptor attachment is constructed from Hardox and other high-strength materials that resist wear and tear. This results in lower maintenance costs and reduced downtime, ensuring consistent productivity over the long term.

The Raptor improves overall operational flexibility and can be used for a wide range of tasks beyond vehicle handling, including loading scrap into trucks, organizing yard space and handling bulky materials. This versatility reduces the need for multiple attachments, saving both time and investment costs. The Raptor V25 and V15 attachments accelerate processing times, improve material recovery and reduce downtime. They serve as valuable tools for any modern recycling facility looking to optimize performance and maximize returns.

“Sennebogen machines are ideal for the demanding environments of the metal recycling industry. In a sector where continuous, heavy-duty work is the norm, Sennebogen embodies a design philosophy that is robust, intelligent and simple – this results in material handlers and attachments that prioritize durability, precision and operational uptime,” Constantino Lannes, president, stated.

SENNEBOGEN LLC

He noted how the versatility of Sennebogen machines is enhanced by their wide range of specialized attachments, specifically designed for the requirements of metal recyclers: “Our orange peel grab products, a staple for scrap handling, are designed for durability and excel in managing loose, mixed scrap. Our Mag Grabs offer a unique, 4-tine solution for sorting and separating ferrous from nonferrous metals and are integrated with lifting magnets that range from 30″ to 44″ in diameter. This combination allows operators to sort material efficiently in a single motion, significantly boosting productivity – and our magnet plates are available in common sizes up to 72″ and provide powerful, reliable lifting for heavy steel scrap.”

Sennebogen offers four coupling types for quickly changing attachments. However, “for the ultimate in productivity, our Vario-Tool, a fully hydraulic quick-change system, allows for seamless transitions between various attachments, is available. By enabling these rapid changes, the Vario-Tool ensures that the machine remains productive throughout the entire processing cycle without unnecessary downtime,” said Lannes. He claimed that recyclers rely on Sennebogen for the machine’s long-term value retention and ability to withstand heavy, continuous use. In addition to the wide range of available attachments, key features like the elevating Maxcab provide operators with a superior view of the work area, which is critical for safety and precision when sorting complex scrap piles. Whether opting for traditional diesel engines or energy-efficient electric drives, Sennebogen provides the stability, speed and reliability required to keep high-volume metal recycling operations running smoothly, safely and profitably.

Published in the August 2026 Edition of American Recycler News