February 20, 2024

How to Choose an Industrial Shredder For Your Business

INDUSTRIAL SHREDDERS

Franklin Miller manufactures a wide variety of industrial shredders. Our versatile shredders can handle a wide variety of materials including plastic, wood, fiberglass and many many more. Our shredding experts can help you select the right shredder for your application.

Taskmaster Industrial Shredders Montauge

SELECTING THE RIGHT SHREDDER

1. Type of Material to be Processed

When it comes to shredding various materials, it is essential to use the right type of shredder to achieve optimal results. For instance, a high-speed chipper is ideal for shredding tree branches, while a granulator (rotary knife cutter) is best suited for processing plastics. However, for bulky plastic shapes, a shredder can be used as a first stage before granulation. For more heavy-duty applications such as shredding cars, a hammermill is often the preferred choice. In situations where versatility, minimal noise and dust are a priority, a twin-shaft shredder may be the optimal solution for effectively processing a wide range of waste materials.

2. Desired Output

Understanding the output size requirement will help in determining the type of equipment to install. Some facilities require the material to be separated, whereas others may need re-shredding and grinding. A single-pass shredder will cost less but if the material needs to be reduced to a very small size and compressed then compaction equipment may be required.

3. Capacity

Choosing an industrial shredder to handle the correct capacity is important to the success of any installation. Capacity is typically expressed in pounds per hour and is determined by the physical size, weight (bulk density), and the amount of material to be shredded. The capacity may be limited by the cutting chamber size. Check the capacity rating carefully before purchasing the machine and allow for some excess capacity. Using a shredder with a maximum capacity too close to the desired capacity can lead to a shortened service life. However, over-sizing a shredder by a wide margin can lead to excessive power use and take up too much floor space.

4. Feed Type

Two basic feed types are common: manual and automatic. Manually fed shredders usually have a hopper and work by either hand feeding the material or using a fork lift to drop the material in. Automatic feeders or conveyors help optimize shredder performance by giving a constant and regular supply of materials to the shredder.

5. Operational Considerations

Portability, safety, and noise are concerns when selecting a shredder. Select the proper location for the shredder because it is not easy to move a machine weighing a half ton or more. Depending on the material, dust and other airborne particles can be an environmental hazard. Noise is another factor to consider as some shredders (such as hammermills) create more noise than others.

6. Maintenance

Shredders endure a great deal of stress and maintenance is necessary to keep them running efficiently. Cutters, blades, or hammers will wear under normal use and require sharpening, adjusting, or eventually replacing. Consider maintenance, repairs, and ease of obtaining replacement parts when choosing a manufacturer. Always evaluate the access location for maintenance when determining where to locate any equipment including your shredder.

APPLICATIONS:

Some industrial applications for reducing solids include the destruction of foods, pharmaceuticals, rubber, pallets, steel and plastic drums, furniture, construction debris, tires, containers, corrugated boxes, packaging, labels, and other bulky materials. Industrial shredders are also used for the destruction of documents, x-rays, media such as hard drives and other electronics to protect the privacy of individuals and corporate information.

Municipal applications include recycling centers and smaller shredders with multiple cutting teeth for finer reduction for use in wastewater treatment plants. The recycling industry has found many uses for shredders such as shredding tires for the recovery of rubber. This recycled rubber is found in many applications and products including hot melt asphalt, basketball courts, playgrounds, and shoe products. The rubber is also used in civil engineering practices for the sub-grade insulation of roads, backfilling, and for fuel as “Tire Derived Fuel”. Scrap wood is shredded for recycling and used for the manufacture of many types of wood products such as particle board and paper. Plastic bottles are recycled into PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic chips for the production of new bottles. Recycling or reusing all of these products through shredding reduces waste in the environment, increases corporate profitability, and reduces carbon emissions.

Shredders play an indispensable role in many applications including manufacturing, recycling, solid waste reduction, security, wastewater treatment, oil and gas production, the transportation and production of biosolids, and more. Shredding offers a multitude of benefits in addition to the most obvious – size reduction. Shredders are used for processing materials used for producing a product or fuel, protecting business intelligence by destroying confidential product or documents, recycling of product or waste and shredding solids to ensure that other equipment or processes run smoothly. Corporations, government agencies and municipalities all employ shredders.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING THE RIGHT SHREDDER:

  • Is the shredder rated for the capacity to meet your requirement?
  • Is the shredder made by a manufacturer with long-term experience and a reputation for customer service?
  • Can the shredder handle your material as well as achieve the desired output particle size and consistency you desire?
  • Is the shredder rated for liquids as well as solids, if necessary?
  • Does the shredder have a design and cutter chamber size suitable for your materials?
  • Do you have the electrical service to meet its power requirement?
  • Is the shredder available with the options or materials you require?
  • What are the maintenance requirements?
  • Is the shredder of a robust design for long-term dependable operation?
  • Does the manufacturer offer the support and guidance to help you in the selection, installation and support of the equipment?

IN SUMMARY

There are several important factors to consider when selecting a suitable shredder. To expedite the matching process of equipment to your specific requirements, it is essential to gather all necessary information and compare it against the shredders' specifications. Before engaging in recycling, it is crucial to ensure that you possess the required permits. Seeking guidance from a reliable company is a great way to start, and requesting a demonstration using a sample will confirm the effectiveness of the shredder. To gain insight into the company's history and how other businesses have used shredders to solve operational challenges, it is advisable to visit the manufacturer's website and review case studies. Lastly, determining your budget is a crucial aspect of the decision-making process. It is important to note that some units, while initially less expensive, may be of inferior quality and end up costing more in the long run for operation and maintenance.

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