Equipment Spotlight | OCT 2014 Auto Balers

by MARY M. COX

As the electronics market expands exponentially, more and more efforts are made to prevent discarded electronics from ending up in landfills.

It is no secret that efficient material transportation makes for greater profits. To that end, balers play an important role in squeezing more material into each shipment.

The new MAC Magnum™ Logger from Granutech-Saturn Systems boasts a continuous-rotation crane with the longest reach of any logger/baler in the industry at 24’ 4” and a load capacity of 5,800 lbs. lift at full reach. For added flexibility, the cab features an IQAN™ control system. Equipped with a plus size 20’ high production chamber, the MAC Magnum also offers variable density options, ranging from 30 to 80 lbs. per foot, and outputs a 40” x 26” variable length log/bale.

Baling pressures can be adjusted from within the cab to vary the densities of the bales and meet the requirements of the user. “Our efficient hydraulic system enables a quick cycle time for increased production,” explained business development manager, Greg Wright. He said that many yards take in more loose scrap and autos than ever before to supplement their business. A versatile logger like the MAC Magnum provides the flexibility to handle a larger variety of materials, including light iron loose scrap, white goods recycling and nonferrous recycling. The large, heavy machines typically require permits and a tri-axle tractor to haul.

Granutech has been in business since the late 1960s and manufacture all products at their Grand Prairie, Texas facility. In addition to crushers and loggers, the company also offers the Saturn® series of industrial shredders, granulators and refiner mills. Standard and custom products are all produced using the firm’s in-house engineering and fabrication shop. Services and products are sold through a global network of authorized distributors and resellers.

Iron Ax produces two different size balers. One has a 16’ long baling chamber, and the other a 20’ long baling chamber. Both units are offered with or without a crane. Iron Pack Balers are high speed, high production balers. The baling cycle is approximately one minute long. Each baler features remote control and automatic cycle. “Our most popular baler is the IPB-20. This baler has a 20’ long baling chamber, but no crane. The 16’ balers are more popular in the international market due to the smaller size of their automobiles. Our American customers prefer the larger sized baler. We also offer programmable pressure settings, meaning that the hydraulic pressure can be increased or decreased with the touch of a button. This is a great feature giving the operator total control when it comes to making a loose or a tight bale,” said John Kitchens, vice president.

He explained how processing volumes vary from customer to customer, but that processing volume typically increases when folks purchase an Iron Pack Baler. “We sell balers to small one-yard operations and to large national and global companies. The production volumes are different for each of them. Setup time for our baler is minimal, and our unit is designed to increase production and efficiency all the way around. After the baler is unhooked from the truck and the outriggers are lowered, the operator is ready to process,” he said.

Kitchens also expects the baler market to grow and stated, “Many years ago car crushers were very popular, but we’ve seen the demand for balers increase. A car crusher is limited to one function only. A baler can do everything a car crusher can do and more. We’ve had many customers switch from a car crusher to a baler and quickly learn that they’re able to process different types of material that they previously could not.”

Iron Ax owns and operates five scrap yards and they’ve been in the scrap business for 45 years. Kitchens stated, “Over 20 years ago we started making products for our own use in our scrap operation. It was a natural transition to introduce our products in the marketplace. We know the scrap industry. We are in the same business as our customers. We know exactly what they need to get the job done. It gives us a very unique perspective that our customers seem to really appreciate.”

The first OverBuilt Baler Logger was produced in early 2008. Steve Besch is the manufacturer’s sales manager. “As with our high speed car crusher, we have listened to our customers’ changing wants and needs. As a result, we produce a superior baler logger that has taken its place as a leader in the recycling industry,” said Besch.

He went on to describe the aspects of OverBuilt’s product: “With a 26.5’ crane and a lifting capacity of 5,000 lbs. at 25’ when filling a 20’ baling chamber, it can handle the largest trucks, cars or vans a scrap yard has to offer. Setup time is five minutes from time of placement. The ability to change pressures with the touch of a button using the computerized IQAN system from the operator seat makes changing bale and log parameters from cars to white goods, loose scrap or aluminum, a simple task.”

Besch elaborated that standard features such as a central grease station on the operator platform aid ease and safety in greasing the crane. The user-friendly high back chair and joy stick controls make it comfortable to run over the course of a long day. Other options include cab operated down rigger controls, an additional 180 gallon fuel cell and an air compressor, which allows this portable machine to be a self-contained, one man operation. The OverBuilt bale/log cycle time is 1.5 minutes. Current production yields the manufacturing of 12 units annually and that volume will increase by 25 percent beginning next year.

“The recent trend in the industry to get more weight in less area has dictated the need for high pressure, high volume machines. Our baler logger provides tighter bales that can be stacked in multiple types of transport containers from flat beds to gondolas and overseas cargo containers,” stated Besch.

“The portable E-Z Log Baler produces a bale quickly, efficiently and neatly. Just check the fluid levels and it is ready to go. The unit goes where the scrap is and the machine can operate from the control platform. The operator can move the grapple crane up to 400°, reach out 23’, and lift 2,000 lbs. By selecting the metal type and volume of each bundle, a user can produce log bales to fit the requirement of the desired market,” explained David Van Vleet, sales manager.

He noted that even expensive machines are worthless if no one can shred the final product. “Our innovative hydraulic compression sequence solves this problem. Once the loose scrap is loaded into the baling chamber, the E-Z Log Baler ‘rolls’ the scrap. An interwoven, low density bundle of about 20 to 30 lbs. per cubic foot is the result. Rolling the material, as opposed to mere compressing, produces a log that will stay together even when dropped. Despite that, the rolled logs still remain loose and low density enough for a 1,500 hp shredder to easily process them,” Van Vleet stated.

He also said the simple but unique design of the machine, with easily accessible components, aids trouble-free operation and servicing. He added, “Fewer moving parts and smaller hydraulic cylinders produce a better bundle at a lower processing cost than other loggers. All of the hydraulic cylinders are manufactured with high-grade seamless polished steel in our own factory. Also, all E-Z Log Balers use standard parts and components. Operating instructions are provided by R.M. Johnson trained specialists and baler options include stationary or portable; diesel, gas or electric engines; and with or without new or rebuilt cranes. Custom designs and specifications are also available.”

According to Jose Pereyra, sales manager, “For the past 10 years, the Sierra International Machinery RB-6000 has simply been the best car logger/baler available. Nearly 500 are in operation around the world. The curved box design and high pressure hydraulic system gives the RB-6000 the strength and durability to log cars with or without engines. Also, the 20’ box easily handles both cars and pickups.”

The RB 6000 has a cycle time of 2 minutes and loading is handled by an on-board, continuously-rotating crane with a 26’ reach. Lifting capacity is over 6,000 lbs. at full reach. Every RB-6000 is backed by Sierra Service.

Pereyra added that “Sierra has a long history in the recycling industry. Each product and service we provide is based on that experience. We are recyclers providing solutions and equipment for recyclers.”

 October 2014 Edition of American Recycler News