Heavy scrap metal includes thick steel plate, structural sections, beams, channels, angle, pipe, fabrication offcuts, dismantled machinery frames and other dense ferrous pieces that are too large or rigid for economical furnace charging. The main processing requirement is controlled size reduction rather than volume compaction.
DILOYA hydraulic scrap shears cut oversized heavy steel into short, consistent furnace-ready pieces for easier stockpiling, loading and melting. This application is intended for hydraulic shearing only. Thin springy sheet is better handled by a metal baler, while sealed vessels, gas cylinders and hazardous components must be removed before processing.
Typical Heavy Scrap Prepared for Shearing
Which Heavy Scrap Can Be Sheared?
Typical feed includes demolition steel, plate offcuts, beams, channels, angle, rails within the machine specification, heavy pipe, welded structures and dismantled equipment parts. The scrap should be free of explosives, pressurized cylinders, closed tanks, batteries and hazardous residues. Concrete-filled sections, hardened alloys, very thick castings and high-strength material require separate evaluation.
Maximum cross-section matters more than overall pile weight. Plate thickness, pipe diameter and wall thickness, section geometry, alloy strength and whether pieces are single or bundled all influence cutting resistance. Representative photos and measured dimensions are required before selecting shear force and blade opening.
Why Cut Heavy Scrap Before Recycling?
- Meet furnace charge size: controlled cut lengths fit charging buckets, induction furnaces and downstream handling equipment.
- Improve stockyard density: shorter pieces nest more efficiently and reduce unstable oversized piles.
- Simplify transport: consistent dimensions improve grab loading, truck utilization and container planning.
- Support sorting: processing exposes attachments and mixed components that can be separated before shipment.
- Reduce torch cutting: hydraulic shearing can replace part of the manual flame-cutting work for suitable material.
Shear Configuration by Material
| Feed condition | Configuration priority |
|---|
| Long beams, channels and angle | Wide feed box, reliable hold-down and controlled cut length |
| Thick plate and fabrication offcuts | Adequate blade force, suitable blade gap and wear-resistant liners |
| Mixed demolition and machinery scrap | Large loading chamber, pre-compression and robust contamination tolerance |
| High-volume recycling yard feed | Grab loading, automatic cycle, rapid discharge and heavy-duty cooling |
How Hydraulic Scrap Shearing Works
- Inspect and sort: remove unsafe items, non-ferrous components and material outside the machine specification.
- Load the feed box: a material handler or grab places long and bulky pieces in a stable orientation.
- Pre-compress: side and lid rams reduce the bundle cross-section and present a controlled charge to the shear head.
- Hold and cut: the hold-down secures the scrap while the shear blade applies concentrated force through the section.
- Advance the material: the feed system indexes the bundle according to the selected cut length.
- Discharge and inspect: cut pieces leave the shear for stockpiling, sorting or direct furnace preparation.
Blade Life, Wear and Operating Control
Stable feeding and correct blade clearance are essential. Material that twists under the hold-down or enters above the specified cross-section can overload the blade and reduce cutting quality. Replaceable blades, protected ram surfaces, chamber liners and accessible lubrication points support routine maintenance in abrasive scrap-yard conditions.
The hydraulic system should be sized for the required duty cycle, local ambient temperature and daily operating hours. Pressure monitoring, oil filtration, cooling, automatic lubrication and overload protection help maintain repeatable shear performance.
What DILOYA Engineers Evaluate
DILOYA evaluates material type and strength, maximum plate thickness, pipe diameter, section dimensions, piece length, contamination, hourly or daily volume, desired cut length, loading equipment, discharge arrangement, installation space, foundation conditions, local voltage and downstream furnace specification.
Send representative material photos, measured maximum cross-sections, expected throughput, target cut length and site layout. Our engineers will match the shear force, blade width, feed box, pre-compression system, hydraulic power unit, cooling and controls to the actual heavy scrap stream.
