14 Mar Metal Balers
Metal Balers in Action
Metal balers play a crucial role in handling both ferrous and non-ferrous metal scrap in various industries, including automotive and recycling. Once scrap metal is collected and processed, metal balers come into play, compressing the bulky material into compact bales. These bales not only optimize scrap payloads but also contribute to cost savings in haulage.
The resulting high-density square or rectangular bales of ferrous metals are integral to the recycling process. They are efficiently fed into furnaces, promoting sustainability by participating in the “circular economy,” where recycling and reuse take center stage. As scrap metal can be recycled perpetually, the reprocessing of this valuable resource is a key component in the push toward sustainability.
Maximizing Metal Power
Metal balers offer flexibility with single, double, or triple ram operations, depending on specific baling requirements. Factors influencing the choice of baler include scrap size and volume, operation hours, footprint requirements, feeding mechanisms, and overall bale dimensions. Tailoring the baler to these needs ensures efficient and cost-effective scrap processing.
Bale sizes are often determined by the furnace’s dimensions and capacity at the foundry which can heavily influence baler make and model to use. While the industry standard is 2′ by 2′, specifications can vary widely. For instance, an automotive plant utilizing a ferrous baler from Ely Enterprises produces 8″ by 8″ blocks, varying in length, which are then melted down to create new engine components for automobiles.
Ferrous metal balers typically use double or triple compression rams, exerting pressure on the scrap from two or three sides. Triple ram balers are considered top-of-the-line models and may include features like automatic cutting of oversized pieces or pre-compressing lids to maintain uniform bale sizes.
Financial Benefits of Upgrades
Beyond scrap processing, the potential of metal balers to contribute to new revenue streams is often overlooked. For instance, clean copper scrap can generate substantial revenue, up to $6,000 per ton. One case example includes a company handling used large appliances for big box retailers that faced logistical challenges in recycling 5,000 appliances monthly. By incorporating a metal baler, the firm compressed the appliances into 2,000-lb bales, facilitating easy shipment to multiple scrap yards across wider geographies. This not only broadened the market but also provided greater flexibility in scrap metal pricing, enabling the baler to pay for itself in less than 18 months.
Upgrading to a newer metal baler can have significant financial and operational benefits. Older models often lack advanced features and automation, resulting in slower processing times and decreased efficiency. Newer models often come with improved technologies, such as automated feeding systems and faster compression cycles, allowing businesses to handle larger volumes in less time.
Maintenance and safety are also critical considerations. Older equipment tends to incur higher maintenance costs and frequent breakdowns, leading to increased operational expenses and potential impacts on the bottom line. Safety features and compliance standards in modern workplaces are often lacking in obsolete balers, posing risks to both equipment operators and the overall work environment.
Are you interested in learning more about how a two-ram baler could increase efficiency and revenue? Contact Ely Enterprises to explore your recycling equipment options and discover how their metal balers can enhance your operations.
