CBI proves its 'metal' to Pacific Land Clearing: "you get what you pay for.".

Those are the words of Rocky Botkin, principal at Pacific Land Clearing (PLC), Portland, Ore., when describing why he chose a CBI 4800 horizontal grinder for a five-year contract his company received. Botkin had owned and used a variety of grinders, both tub and horizontal models, over the years in the company's four recycling yards and for contract work, but none could handle the metal contamination in the infeed at the site. Before PLC got the contract, its predecessor had two horizontal grinders out there doing the job. "They would only get to run one of them two days before it broke down and they would have to use the other while they fixed the first," says Rocky B0tkin. "With the CBI, when we hit a chunk of steel, I think the worse we have ever been down is two hours."

His father, Jack Botkin, agrees, saying that in the nearly one year the CBI 4800 has been on the site the total downtime has been about one day. "The CBI seems to be the most effective and reliable we have had; it handles the metal without tearing up the grinder."

Rocky notes that an added advantage of only having one machine is that with two grinders on site there were also three operators and two trackhoes. "Now we have only one person there, one trackhoe, and one machine."

Rocky attributes the success of the CBI 4800 in handling the metal contamination to the machine's mill. "It turns at a slower RPM, about 750, whereas in the tub it is 1400 rpm," he says. "It's a solid steel mill, so that when metal hits it, it doesn't give. They have shear pins placed in the right spots. So if you hit a big chunk of steel, those shear pins will give and you will be up and running in a few hours."

But what Rocky really likes about the CBI is its design. "It is so simple. It reminds of a 1970 Chevrolet, something you can work on."

Both Botkins have been impressed with the service they have received with the machine. Rexius Forest Products (Eugene, Ore.) is the CBI dealer in the West, and "they take care of us," says Rocky. He adds that he has not had much contact with CBI headquarters in Newton, NH, for two reasons: Rexius' fine support and, "We haven't had any problems. But if we do, I know they will be there instantly. We haven't had to use them."

Except when buying their new unit. The company's five year contract was due to start in a month when the Botkins decided to buy the CBI, but there was a waiting list of two- to three months for the units. To fill the gap PLC rented a four year-old model from the factory in order to start the job on time. "We like the used one so much, we ended up buying it," says Jack Botkin. "We have it running around to all four facilities."

He admits buying the CBI was a big decision. "It is an expensive machine," Jack says, "but you know how it goes, you get what you pay for. If we made a mistake, it is 'pay me now or pay me later.' We paid to get equipment to do the job. And this is exactly what we got. We are delighted with the CBI 4800."