EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT | APR 2023 SCRAP HANDLERS

by MARY M. THORNTON

Metal scrap is definitely a challenging product for material handlers. The EPA’s estimate of 2018 ferrous metals generated in the U.S. was 19.2 million tons. The same year, our landfills received 10.5 million tons of steel, or 7.2 percent of all MSW landfilled in America. As the world continues to recover from the effects of a pandemic, the work of recovering metal not only for landfill reduction but to recoup the value involved, scrap handling machines will certainly be part of that process.

Due to the product innovation in grapple technology, Builtrite™ has been awarded a patent for their Knuckle Grip® tool. “With this product, recyclers and scrap metal processors have a new and innovative material handling solution that can significantly improve their operations. We first introduced this new orange peel grapple design to improve the handling of awkward items, achieve better penetration into piles of material and provide a greater volume capacity, which maximizes efficiency with every move of the grapple.

“We listened to customers across North America, and gained even more insight into the challenges they face. Clients asked for better cylinder protection, a better grip for all types of recyclable materials and greater holding capacity of any kind of material. Thanks to the voice of the customer, we know we’ve created a grapple with un-matched characteristics which will absolutely make a real difference for most recycling companies,” stated Karl Johnson, director of engineering.

The Knuckle Grip grapple is provided in a variety of tine configurations designed to perform specific handling tasks, and in sizes from .25 cubic yard to 2 cubic yard capacity. As with all Builtrite grapples, heavy duty components and a 2-year factory warranty are standard.

“As a team, we felt it was time to offer something that would actually move grapple design forward. Our intention was to build a tool that is actually different and improves upon products that have been used for many years. The Knuckle Grip provides a whole new level of performance that our customers can actually rely on,” said Jason Rice, vice president of sales. Builtrite grapples have been made in the U.S. since 1993.

Fuchs is a specialist manufacturer of material handling solutions for the scrap, waste recycling, port, timber and forestry industries. Rob Jordan, sales director, described how the Fuchs MHL340 F and MHL350 F “are two leading international models in the recycling and scrap handling industries, as they are the most versatile machines on the market. This is due to their legendary robust build and economical fuel consumption. These loading machines are ideally suited for the typically rough, scrap handling environment. Robust, FEM-designed steel structures and proven components from well-known manufacturers ensure excellent efficiency, performance and durability. The powerful, finely tuned machine hydraulics move even the heaviest loads in almost no time. On request, machines can also be equipped with the Fuchs Quick Connect, a multifunctional hydraulic quick-change system.”

Jordan sees leading industry innovations as particularly evident in digitalization, sustainability and safety. “Employee safety is our top priority and all of our machines are delivered with standard and extensive safety equipment. Our unique service platform also offers advantages for daily checks or maintenance work, while our generator systems are among the safest on the market, thanks to ISO guards and sophisticated design,” he said.

Fuchs offers digital services that are specifically tailored to the individual needs of customers. “Our telematics, for example, offers much more than just operating hours and machine locations. Automatically generated service reminders and OTA updates help our customers to plan their time, increase production and save money. With an integrated API interface, our telematics can be easily integrated with existing fleet management systems. We also optimize use of intelligent digital tools in the service area, which will revolutionize both data management and trouble shooting. Meanwhile, as ongoing sustainability is standard for us, we offer biodiesel models and a broad product portfolio of electrically-powered machines. Additional options in alternative drives are in progress as well,” stated Jordan.

Constantino Lannes, president of Sennebogen, said the family-owned, 71 year old company is “the market leader for material handlers in the scrap and recycling industries. We differentiate ourselves by offering the largest number of machines and sizes available and we provide a high quality product with a comprehensive support package, which is also very simple to maintain and repair—as it has no electronic controls. We offer smaller material handlers —40,000 lbs. with a 30 ft. reach – as well as the largest hydraulic material handler in the world — over a million lbs. with a 140 ft. reach. Our machines provide the lowest fuel consumption in the industry, can be mounted on a rubber tired, crawler, and rail undercarriage and can also be custom built to client specs.” Sennebogen’s electric-driven line of machines, offered since the 1980s, continue to evolve and assist customers in reducing their carbon footprint. Most Sennebogen machines are delivered completely assembled and ready to work. Larger models that require assembly on-site, have been previously assembled and tested at the factory, which aids on-site assembly and helps avoid interruptions in customer operations.

Lannes continued, “Our product support package includes the smallest part, such as an O-ring, as well as larger items like axles and all can be shipped 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Technician telephone support and training for customer technicians at the same level as a dealer or authorized service provider technician, is available at no cost. This enables our customers to repair their machines and so increase uptime and reduce overall operating costs. The uptime kit delivered with our products contains machine parts that may be needed in 90 percent of issues that may arise. A portal named Learning Hub provides customers, authorized service providers and dealers with access to technical information, trouble shooting guides and training information 24 hours a day and customer machine inspections are free of charge as well.

All of this, the user-friendly machine controls and the customers’ ability to do their own maintenance and service provides the highest uptime in the industry with the lowest operating cost.”

Published in the April 2023 Edition of American Recycler News