The alarming increase in pollution and changes in global climate patterns forces a rethink of our disposal habits. Industries, in particular, release significant metallic waste after their industrial processes are over. But where do they go?
While some carelessly dispose of their metallic waste, others rely on cost-effective, eco-friendly metal recycling. That’s right! With the help of a metal baler, recycling small scrap metal pieces or larger machines like vehicles and washing machines is now fast and efficient.
Read on to know more about the metallic baling process that scrap metals undergo before the actual recycling begins.
What is a Scrap Metal Baler?
Simply put, a scrap metal baler is a machine used to crush and compress a wide range of metallic objects for better handling and storage.
The machine cuts across all metals, whether ferrous or non-ferrous materials or even metallic objects as a whole. It comprises various parts that each come together to execute the final function – baling. These include:
Hydraulic Cylinder
The hydraulic cylinder is an essential component of a metal baler since it exerts the force for compression. It is strong and durable to withstand side loading and shocks, but it should undergo regular servicing to ensure it’s well-lubricated.
Ram
This part attaches to the front end of the hydraulic cylinder. It presses against the metal box to achieve the desired bale size.
Oil Filter
The oil filter continuously lubricates the hydraulic system to ensure it’s clean and well-functioning. Replacing the oil once it ages is necessary to avoid damaging the hydraulic pumps and fittings.
Hydraulic System
This includes parts that hold the cylinder together to undertake the baling process. They include valves, fittings, hoses, and pumps. Due to their heavy workload, they too require routine part maintenance.
Pressing Lid
This is among the main components of a baler since it’s vital to the baling process. A pressing lid supports the ram in compressing the scrap metal during the closing stages of baling. It reverts to its original lock position once compression is over.
Bale Chamber
The bale chamber is where the metallic materials enclose before compression into sizable bales. It has reinforced steel to withstand intense pressures during compression.
Control System
The control system is the alpha and omega of the scrap metal balers because all functions arise from and end through commands entered into the control system. It is where you (the operator) enter specific baling details such as bale dimensions, pressure amount, and temperature depending on the final product you want.
The latest control systems have fault detection systems and diagnostics to know when operations aren’t optimum.
Types of Metal Balers
Whether you want used scrap metal balers for sale or a new one, they come in different shapes and sizes. It all depends on the type of metal baled, loading method, required dimensions, and purity. They include:
Ferrous Balers
This mobile metal scrap baler for sale is among the best for scrap metal processing. It comes in two categories – the two and three compression models. In the two-cylinder baler, compression comes from the pressing lid or wing door and the main ram.
On the other hand, the three-ferrous balers compress the scrap metal from all directions. Two rams, including the main ram, press from the top and the pressing lid, while the other shapes and ejects them on the other exit end.
There’s a crane attached to the baler to help feed the scrap metal into the chamber. It is operated by personnel who spend many hours in there.
Shear/Baler/Logger
The shear-baler combination is one used by most scrap metal processors because of its versatility. Since they have a shear at the ejection point, materials are compacted in log form if they need shearing before further compressing.
Also known as scrap shears, SBLs produce soft bales compact enough to transport immediately for metal recycling. Furthermore, they are portable and can comfortably serve demolition sites, junkyards, and cleanup sites at a moment’s notice.
However, according to manufacturers, SBLs aren’t suitable for high-capacity operating areas. Although they can process 5 to 10 tons of materials in an hour, they become overwhelmed beyond this point and can produce substandard bales.
Pre-Stagers
Ferrous baler manufacturers added two devices to the machine to increase its productivity. Through them, the scrap metal undergoes a pre-staging process to prepare it for the final baling process, which occurs in two ways. The first is through tip pans.
This is a kind of hopper where the scrap metal loads before baling occurs. Then, once the baler is ready to take in the next bunch of ferrous scrap, the hydraulic arm tips the pan upwards, and the scrap metal slides down the tip pan and into the chamber. So naturally, tip pans are in stationary metal scrap balers and mount to the front or side of the baler.
The second way pre-staging occurs is through pre-hoppers. What happens is that the device pre-stages the scrap above the baling chamber. Once the materials are ready for baling, a chute opens where the scrap metal follows through into the chamber.
Since the pre-hopper stays above the baler, it is removable, and hence, portable.
Step by Step Summary of the Baling Process
Scrap metal balers play a crucial role in recycling. However, the process isn’t straightforward since other balers operate differently from metal balers. So, in summary, here’s how the metal process occurs:
- Step 1: Feeding the scrap material into the baling chamber or press box; immediately, the pump starts
- Step 2: Once the piston rod reaches out, it presses the side pusher forward, exerting pressure on the chamber’s scrap metal
- Step 3: The final compress occurs as the piston still pushes further into the metal, but the high-pressure oil retreats to the main cylinder
- Step 4: The cover door opens, and the high-pressure oil slides back into the cylinder’s front cavity.
- Step 5: Here, the side cylinder goes back to its original position as the hydraulic enters the main cylinder
- Step 6: The main cylinder resets once the hydraulic is in position at the front cavity
- Step 7: Turning mechanism occurs, and the bale is driven out at high pressure, and the flip cylinder resets
Scrap Metal Baler for Sale
Every industry requires scrap metal, provided it’s producing metallic waste. Thus, put this scrap metal to good use and do it cost-effectively – through baling.
If you want to book your metal baler today, visit our website while stocks last.
