Choosing the Right Balers for Your Scrapyard
Balers are invaluable machines, which can make the work of baling very easy and simple. It does not have to time-consuming or cumbersome. However, before you go out and buy a baler, you should consider a few things that will help you make the right choice.
The Materials
Take into consideration what you will be baling. The materials could be ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, plastics, paper or fiber. You could even be baling a combination of material. Divide the materials into groups and then into subgroups and the condition the materials come in. This will allow you to make informed decision about buying a baler and also allow you to see whether you need equipment to prepare the materials before they are baled.
The materials you bale will also dictate whether you should opt for single ram open end balers, single ram closed end balers or two ram balers. Typically, single ram open end balers are more suitable for paper baling, but also can be used for plastic containers, aluminum cans, steel cans and other non-ferrous materials. These balers also are known as horizontal balers and channel balers, respectively.
Single ram closed end balers are great when you are processing small volumes, such as about 100 to 200 tons each month. This type of baler is ideal for non-ferrous metals, but can also be used for high grade paper, steel cans, aluminum cans, ONP and OCC. If you opt for heavy-duty model, you will be able to use it to bale non-ferrous sheets, extrusions and even radiators. You would have to do the strapping of the bales manually. Remember, single ram balers use soft wire for tying the bales.
Two ram balers are of two types – narrow box and wide box. Both are great for baling plastic, non-ferrous metals and recovered fiber. The wide box model allows more material to be fed in and hence is considered more productive. Two ram balers are renowned for their consistent bale size. The two ram baler uses an expensive high strength wire to tie the bales.
Volume of Materials
Balers come in a variety of sizes and models. You need to select model and size that is suitable to the volume of materials you get. This will allow you to finish baling quickly, without spending too much time. If the machine is made for lower tonnage, you will not be able to use it as effectively if you get high volume of materials.
The size and horsepower of the baler will determine the machine’s productivity. Based on the size you choose, the machine will be able to bale anywhere from two bales an hour to 40 bales an hour.
The Market
When you bale materials, you will be supplying it to your customers. Here you have to consider the size of the bales. Your customers may require a particular size, but you may not be able to supply those sizes because of transportation limitations. So you need to consider both aspects when browsing through different types of balers.
Storage
You need to consider your storage area within your premises too. Balers and conveyor belts require certain about of space. The make and model you select should fit into the space that you have without causing inconvenience to you and your workers.
Cost
Finally, there is the cost aspect. You should create a budget after taking all the aforementioned points into consideration and then choose a baler model that best suits your needs. Most people tend to let cost guide them, but that is not the right way to pick a baler.
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