Market Background

In the United States, scrap operations are under steady pressure from freight costs, labor availability, and tighter loading schedules. When loose scrap accumulates—especially light mixed scrap and sheet offcuts—it quickly expands across the yard, blocks equipment routes, and slows dispatch. Many recyclers are now prioritizing standardized bale output to reduce “air gaps” in trucks/containers, improve stacking stability, and keep shipping windows predictable. As a result, demand is rising for automatic hydraulic metal balers that can densify scrap quickly while keeping operation consistent across shifts.

Customer & Application Scenario

A US-based scrap recycler needed to improve its “sort → ship” efficiency for daily inbound batches of loose, light steel scrap. Their workflow challenge was familiar: loose material created yard congestion and required repeated re-handling before loading. The customer wanted a solution that could:

• Produce uniform bales for easier stacking and faster truck loading

• Reduce manual handling and stabilize shift performance

• Maintain consistent output with reliable automation

• Scale capacity by adding multiple identical machines

Our Solution

To match these needs, Jiangsu Wan Shida Hydraulic Machinery Co., Ltd. supplied 2 units of a 200-ton side push-out hydraulic metal baler, featuring PLC automatic control with remote operation. This configuration is designed to convert loose scrap into consistent bales with a repeatable cycle, helping the yard build a cleaner, more predictable dispatch routine. The side push-out discharge supports fast bale ejection and smoother staging into the stacking/loading zone, which is especially useful when inbound volume surges.

Key Technical Parameters (Included for selection and planning)

Below are the key specs the customer referenced for capacity planning and layout design:

Customer Feedback

After commissioning, the customer reported that the first improvements were operational, not cosmetic:

1. Cleaner yard flow: converting loose scrap into standardized bales reduced stockpile sprawl and made equipment routes clearer.

2. Faster, more consistent loading: uniform bales stacked tighter, helped reduce voids during loading, and shortened truck turnaround time.

3. More stable daily rhythm: PLC automation with remote operation improved shift-to-shift consistency and reduced repeated manual re-handling.

Conclusion

This US project shows a practical trend: when freight costs and dispatch timing matter, improving results often starts with standardizing the product form. By deploying two 200-ton PLC-controlled side push-out hydraulic metal balers with a 1600×1200×800 mm press room, the customer strengthened a reliable “sort → bale → stack → load” workflow. With ~60-second cycles, ~3500–5000 kg/h capacity, and 400×400 mm bale output, the yard gained a more predictable operation that supports faster shipping and better space utilization.