Before buying: recyclers have some basis to consider before deciding on a baler to condense ferrous and Nonferrous scrap.

Balers offer recyclers numerous advantages when it comes to processing ferrous and nonferrous scrap, including the ability to upgrade the material they handle, to in crease their productivity and to ship material more efficiently.

While many recyclers may already be sold on the idea of purchasing a baler, they may be uncertain as to whether a portable or a stationary model is the best bet for their individual operations. For those recyclers who plan on bringing the baler to the work, of course a portable model is the obvious choice. But for those who have not yet decided to pursue baling opportunities outside their own scrap yards, deciding between a portable and a stationary baler may not be as clear cut.

CALCULATING THE TRADEOFFS. When shopping for a new baler, Dan Wycoff, general manager of Shine Bros. Corp., Spencer, Iowa, tends to favor the versatility that a portable baler offers. "We are interested in trying to find something that moves easily because we are going to take it from job to job."

The Shine Bros. family of companies owns four portable balers and a couple of stationary units.

Although portable and stationary units are capable of producing tight bales that allow recyclers to transport processed material more easily and efficiently, those recyclers who are sending material directly to steel mills may find that stationary models offer an advantage over the portable balers.

"Generally, the stationary balers are going to make a smaller, tighter bundle," Wycoff says. "If you are baling industrial scrap, they are going to make a bundle that is more palatable to mills. Right now, the trend toward portable balers is to make bales or logs that are heading to the shredders," he adds, "because they don't require the density that mills require."

That is not to say that portable balers are incapable of producing a mill-ready bale. This requirement is something that recyclers should take into consideration when shopping for a baler to process their ferrous scrap.

Stationary balers, which operate on electric motors, can be somewhat less expensive to operate compared to the diesel engines found on the portable units, Mark Goldman of Scrap-All Inc., based in Tampa, Fla., says. Scrap-All operates portable and stationary units at its Tampa and Sarasota yards as well as at jobsites in the area. Maintenance costs can also be less expensive for stationary units than for portable balers because electric motors are relatively maintenance free, Goldman says.

Shawn Morris, president of Environmental Recycling Inc. (ERI), based in Lexington, Ky., says ERI operates a fleet of 12 portable units, which it dispatches to jobs throughout the country. ERI is currently helping to bale appliances and scrap material as part of the Hurricane Katrina cleanup throughout the Gulf Coast region.

Morris says that the balers ERI operates consume between 50 and 100 gallons of diesel fuel per day, though the figure varies by machine and the number of operating hours logged. As of mid-January, the average cost of diesel fuel in the United States was $2.49 per gallon. Using that figure, it could cost a recycler from $125 to $249 per day to operate a portable baler.

Because they do take to the road, portable balers in general often experience more wear and tear and require more upkeep than stationary balers, which is something recyclers should account for when budgeting for the lifetime cost of a new baler.

Ultimately, however, it is a question of how a recycling firm intends to use a baler that will determine whether it selects a portable or a stationary model.

NARROWING THE FIELD. For recyclers who require portability, Morris suggests buying a smaller unit if the baler is going to be moved frequently. "If I was moving a baler frequently, I would go with a smaller, more maneuverable piece of equipment so I could get it set up and running in less time," he says. Machines that will be moved less frequently can be larger, however.

When shopping for portable balers, Goldman says recyclers should consider whether the unit will require an escort and special permits because it is overweight or oversize. "We are more inclined to take on off-site work if the mobile unit we have is easily transported to the jobsite," he says.

Scrap-All owns a portable baler that requires an overweight permit. "It means we never move it," Goldman says. "It is so busy, we would never consider moving it," he adds. While Scrap-All doesn't take this baler outside its own yard, the company does move it throughout its facility.

Aside from the mobility issue, recyclers should also consider the type of material that the baler will be processing. "We buy a machine for a particular application first," Goldman says. "We look at the mix of material and what material we expect to be processing the most of." Scrap-All doesn't stop there, though. Goldman says the company also looks at whether a baler can handle additional material if the need arises.

When it comes to selecting a baler, Goldman suggests buying with growth in mind. "We look at the current tonnage of primary material and try to buy a machine that will handle twice that volume. We would hate to make that investment and find it outsized in two years," he says.

Wycoff says Shine Bros. also buys balers with growth in mind. "I think you should buy the largest size you can see yourself needing yet can work into your budget," he says.

KICKING THE WHEELS. Prior to purchasing a baler, most recyclers would say that it is important to see the unit in operation and to talk with other users about their experiences with the baler and the manufacturer.

To ensure that the machine is sturdily built, Wycoff suggests that recyclers examine the welds to see if they meet their standards.

Goldman uses what he terms an "old-school" approach to determine the strength of a machine. "The heavier in terms of pounds the machine is, the longer its lifespan appears to be." He says this is because a heavier baler has more metal to absorb shock, which is a primary reason that stationary models can outlast portable balers.

Goldman also suggests looking at whether the baler offers simple operation. "Some machines are designed with electronics and limit switches all over the place just waiting to be destroyed," he says. "That can cost you a lot of downtime." Goldman suggests looking for balers with well shielded electronics and limit switches.

Wycoff suggests talking to recyclers who operate balers from different manufacturers and viewing the machines in operation.

Morris agrees. "I think the best thing to do would be to check references and to call other people who own those machines. Ask if they have problems," he says. "I would definitely recommend going out to see the baler in operation. Ask questions about production and breakdowns."

By asking questions of other recyclers who use balers, a recycler who is shopping for a new unit can also get a feeling for the support and service capabilities an equipment manufacturer offers. Morris suggests asking questions about whether manufacturers will send service technicians out to the yard to perform troubleshooting and repairs or if they provide telephone consultations. "I wouldn't buy from a company that doesn't offer online or over-the-phone support," he says.

Goldman suggests that recyclers in the market for new balers talk to as many users of the equipment as they can. "Don't rely only on the [references] that the manufacturer gives you, for obvious reasons," he says.

In addition, Goldman suggests that recyclers make sure that manufacturers of the balers they are considering have a viable service force and are located within a reasonable distance. "A lot of times I will even ask them to supply us with a price list and availability of all the wear parts prior to taking the machine," he says. "You need to be confident that they are going to be able to support you.

A little leg work in advance can help recyclers feel assured that they have selected the right baler for their operation and that it will provide years of incident-free operation.

The author is managing editor of Recycling Today and can be contacted at [e-mail].