Industrial Shredders Buying Guide

How to Choose a Used Industrial Shredder

A pile of plastic offcuts, a stack of old tires and a bin of metal scrap all call for size reduction, but they don’t necessarily call for the same shredder. Before you compare brands or prices, think about the biggest piece you’ll feed into the machine and what you want coming out the other end.

You’ll find everything from compact shop machines to large recycling systems among the industrial shredders for sale on Surplus Record. A used shredder can be a good fit when its opening, cutting system and power match your work. Here’s how to sort through the options and recognize the specs that matter.

What Will You Be Shredding?

Picture a normal day’s material, not just the easiest pieces in the pile. Are you feeding small plastic offcuts, full pallets or a mixed load from the shop? Take a few photos and measure the largest items. That gives a seller a much clearer idea of your needs than “I need a heavy-duty shredder.”

For plastics, tell the seller whether you’re handling thick molded parts, thin film or a mixture. Those materials don’t feed the same way. If you need small, fairly even pieces for the next step, you may also want to compare plastic granulators. For wood, explain whether you’ll be loading short offcuts or whole pallets, including any nails or other material mixed in.

Metal takes a little more detail, too. Light sheet-metal scrap and thick solid pieces are very different loads. Ask whether the shredder is built for the metal you actually have, then consider the recycling equipment you’ll need to move and sort the shredded material.

A test with your own material is especially helpful when you’re comparing machines. You can see how easily it feeds, how often the shredder stops or reverses, and whether the finished pieces are what you need.

Key Shredder Specifications to Look For

A shredder needs to handle the size of your material, keep up with your workload and produce pieces you can use. Feed opening and cutting chamber size are a good starting point, followed by horsepower, rotor size, cutters, screens and available power. Check out more details on each of the Shredders key specs below!

What to Check Before Buying a Used Shredder

• Get a close look at the cutters.
  Ask for clear photos of the knives, rotor and screen. Chipped edges and heavy wear can mean a parts bill before you put the machine to work. Have a qualified technician assess anything you’re unsure about.
• Find out what it has been shredding.
  A machine’s previous job helps you understand its wear. Ask about operating hours, maintenance and major repairs, along with any replacement cutters or rebuilt gearboxes.
• See it process material.
  A recent video is useful; a demonstration with material like yours is better. Watch how it feeds and look at the finished pieces. A motor running with nothing in the hopper tells you much less.
• Check the equipment around it.
  Look over the frame, hydraulics, controls and conveyors as well as the cutting chamber. Confirm that guards, access-door interlocks and emergency stops are in place and working. Have internal checks done by qualified personnel with the machine properly isolated from its energy sources.
• Know what you’re taking home.
  Get the included hopper, conveyors, screens, spare knives and controls listed in writing. Then confirm who handles dismantling, loading and transport, and whether the machine can get through your doors.

What Else Should You Budget For?

The asking price is only the beginning. A less expensive shredder may need new knives, a control-panel repair or a conveyor before it’s ready for your shop. Compare what comes with each machine so you don’t mistake a bare shredder for a complete working line.

Get prices for moving and installing it, too. Rigging, freight, electrical work and any foundation changes can add up. Ask about replacement knives and screens while you’re shopping: knowing their cost and lead time is more useful now than after a worn part stops production.

Think about where the material goes next. A paper operation may need a horizontal baler to handle the shreds. A tire-recycling line may need more cutting and screening to make the rubber product you want. Where you need to remove freed steel, compare suitable magnetic separators. Include those pieces when you compare the total cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

A few common questions come up when buyers start comparing shredders.