Suppliers of grinding equipment are important partners to the pallet industry and its related industries, such as sawmills and lumber remanufacturing. Pallet manufacturers and recyclers and related businesses generate large volumes of waste wood material. They are faced with the challenge of disposing of the material or processing it into a marketable product that will help improve a company’s bottom line.
On the following pages we present information about advertisers that supply grinding equipment to the pallet industry: Astec, Bandit Industries, Boulware Equipment, Cresswood, CW Mill Equipment, Morbark, Precision Husky, Rawlings Manufacturing, Recycling Equipment, Rotochopper, and West Salem Machinery.
Choosing a grinder will depend on a number of factors related to a company’s particular application. One of the foremost questions is: what do you need to reduce? Is it hardwood or softwood? What species? Is it in the form of slabs, edgings and other residual materials from a sawmill or scragg mill? Is it trim ends from cants and lumber remanufacturing operations? Is it scrap material from recycling pallets, such as dismantling pallets to reclaim usable lumber? Do you need to grind whole scrap or junk pallets? Or do you need to reduce some combination of these materials?
The grinder for your application also will depend on the volume of material that must be reduced. How much material do you need to grind? Is the volume likely to change in the future? If so, when and by how much?
Still another consideration will be the desired end product and potential markets for the wood fiber. Will the grindings be supplied to various outlets for further processing, or do you plan to produce a finished, value-added product, such as colored mulch? What type of potential markets do you have for wood grindings? Boiler fuel? Bedding material for livestock? Mills that manufacture particle board or other wood products? Material used as a ground covering for playgrounds? Mulch? Colored mulch? Talk to potential customers in these markets and find out what their requirements are and what they pay for wood fiber.
If a company needs to grind used scrap lumber or scrap pallets from pallet recycling operations, separating nails and nail fragments likely will be an important consideration for certain markets.
If you plan to produce a finished product, such as mulch or colored mulch, will the operations require any ancillary equipment, such as screens or coloring systems?
Although the cost of the machine certainly will be a factor, so will the operating costs. Because of the tough job they do, grinders typically require regular maintenance; weigh the maintenance costs. Are you considering an electric-powered machine or one that burns diesel fuel?
What is going to be the most efficient, cost-effective way to collect or divert residual material to the grinder? A conveyor belt? A vibrating conveyor? Collecting material into hoppers and using a forklift to dump the contents into the grinder in batches?
Finally, where is your grinder going to be located, and where and how are the grindings going to be handled and stored? Will they be stockpiled on a concrete slab? Pneumatically loaded into a storage silo? Loaded directly into a waiting trailer van?
Consider the following suppliers when you evaluate your options for investing in grinding equipment.
Astec Offers Grinders, Drum Chippers
Astec Industries
Eugene, Oregon
(541) 689-6520
Astec entered the forestry industry with its acquisition of Peterson Pacific in 2007. Since then Astec has continued to grow the forestry equipment product lines, manufacturing complete industry-leading systems, including horizontal grinders, disc and drum chippers, debarkers, and blower trucks and trailers. Peterson Pacific rebranded last year to align with parent company Astec.
Horizontal grinders and drum chippers are two of the top forestry machines produced by Astec. They are offered in various sizes and capacities. Useful for land clearing, organic and wood waste recycling, mulch production and biomass production, these heavy-duty machines come in both mobile and portable options.
Astec chippers can be used for producing biomass from logs and other wood material and for other forestry-related applications, such as processing residual materials from sawmills and other wood products manufacturing facilities, salvage timber operations, plantation tree rotation, and producing pulp and paper industry chips.
Astec horizontal grinders also can be used to recycle scrap pallets, used railroad ties, wood material from land-clearing operations, and similar wood debris, processing it into revenue-generating products and at the same time diverting wood material from landfills.
Astec grinders and chippers have the advantage of an impact release system and an impact cushion system. These features protect the machine by removing contaminated or uncrushable material that could otherwise cause damage and allow for non-stop grinding, decreasing downtime. The impact release system technology is unique to the Astec equipment, saving producers time and money.
Bandit Beast Makes Mulch in One Pass
Bandit Industries
Remus, Michigan
(800) 952-0178
Bandit Industries grinders can produce a wide range of valuable mulch, from raw material to finished product in a single pass.
Turn waste pallets into revenue with The Beast® horizontal grinder from Bandit Industries. The Beast Model 1680XP or Model 2460XP can significantly lower your cost of grinding while producing high quality mulch from a material that most people would consider garbage.
The Beast horizontal grinders deliver it all — from playground mulch to animal bedding, finished landscape mulch, garden mulch, and a full variety of colored mulch for specialty projects or designs.
The key is how the patented downturn cuttermill inside The Beast processes wood with a cutting action, which is far more efficient than a splitting or grinding action found in most other machines. With dozens of screen and tooth option combinations, you can fine-tune The Beast to produce the perfect end product, meeting the strictest specifications.
And The Beast can do it all in a single pass without the need for costly regrind.
To produce colored mulch, the optional Colorizer can be built into the machine so you can create highly desirable, in-demand, colored mulch that commands top dollar — all from one machine.
For stationary grinding, The Beast can be equipped with a powerful electric motor for an economical solution that is a cost-effective alternative to diesel fuel. The Beast electric horizontal grinders are simple to set up and require no major foundation work. Simply roll it in, set it up and grind!
The Beast electric horizontal grinders feature powerful WEG motors, which have the best reputation in the industry. These motors are designed for crusher-duty applications, making them a great fit for a variety of grinding applications.
Bandit Industries welcomes the opportunity to prove what it claims. Contact Bandit to arrange a demonstration.
Boulware Equipment Provides Turnkey Solutions
Boulware Equipment
Newton, North Carolina
(704) 651-6061
Boulware Equipment is 100% committed to repurposing and merchandising wood pallet trash. Designed with the probable end use of your particular type of wood scrap in mind, Boulware can develop a customized solution taking into consideration species, size, color, moisture content and local repurposing options. Like a wood pallet, converted wood fiber has logistical limitations. You can only transport wood fiber so far before it loses economic benefit.
Focused on size reduction, Boulware’s systems are designed with new and rebuilt Cresswood quality shredders. These systems have the flexibility to convert pallet wood trash to sizes suitable to meet their local customers’ needs.
Providing full turnkey solutions is Boulware’s proven formula to keep happy customers. These solutions automate reclaim of scrap, convert the wood pallet trash to the desired wood fiber product, provide delivery/transport for the lowest cost, and assist clients in finding a buyer (and a back-up buyer) for their converted wood scrap. Boulware’s approach allows customers to make one call to get the answer for their wood trash challenges.
Boulware helps customers improve their monthly operational profit. Boulware’s solutions also are sustainable and reduce the carbon footprint for their clients. This makes Boulware installations more valuable to their customers as companies look for sustainable suppliers who are committed to reducing landfill waste and carbon footprint reduction.
Give Boulware a call and see how its staff can develop a customized solution that seamlessly integrates with your production layout while boasting the profitability of your scrap material.
Cresswood XR-2400 Features New Technology
Cresswood Shredding Machinery
Cortland, Illinois
(800) 962-7302
The Cresswood XR-2400 pallet grinder is the largest grinder that Cresswood has ever manufactured.
This grinder allows pallet companies to increase their output volumes to a new level in low-speed, high-torque grinding. Mulch manufacturers, pellet producers and biofuel businesses benefit from the high throughput capabilities of this machine and its ability to be nested indoors due to less noise and dust. Another key feature is the XR-2400’s lower energy cost when compared to other technologies.
Cresswood is dedicated to ever-new technology and committed to continuous improvement through expert engineering and precision manufacturing.
The Cresswood XR-2400 features:
–Hydraulic drop-down screen carriages that provide safe, easy access to the cutterhead
–Oversized ram to more effectively present material to the cutterhead
–Extreme oversized gearbox built for the toughest conditions
–Replaceable anvils and anvil support plates
–Replaceable wear seals on the cutterhead
–Replaceable bed plate
Other features include: single source and American-made manufacturing; all key wear items are replaceable; 1-inch steel plate frame; 30,000 lbs. shipping weight.
These features, along with precision manufacturing, expert engineering, and dedication to customers, ensure that the XR-2400 will thrive in one of the toughest grinding environments: the pallet industry.
Contact Cresswood for more information as you get started on your next grinder project.
HogZilla Grinders Are Versatile
C.W. Mill Equipment Co.
Sabetha, Kansas
(800) 743-3491
CW Mill Equipment Co. is a diversified manufacturing, sales, and service company. Products include large industrial grinding machines and high-performance hammer mill cutting and grinding tools,
The versatility of its line of HogZilla grinders has been demonstrated across the decades. The machines have been used in waste reduction, recycling, land clearing, and construction and demolition applications.
C.W. Mill Equipment manufactures both tub grinders and horizontal grinders, including both types of machines that are mounted on tracks to be self-propelled. Tub grinders are available as diesel-powered or electric models.
The TC series of HogZilla grinders takes its name from the torque converter drive. It allows the engine to perform at peak efficiency with multiplied torque. Because of the converter, governed speed is maintained irrespective of the load. Torque converters allow the engine to avoid lugging and needless racing while protecting the engine from shock and loads from torsion. The strength and reliability of industrial torque converters was proven decades ago in the rock crushing industry, and C.W. Mill pioneered and perfected their use in tub grinders.
The TC series of HogZilla grinders come standard with a Caterpillar C32 1,000 hp diesel engine. Other standard features include electronic horsepower controller, remote control, stacking conveyor, vulcanized conveyor belts, auxiliary hydraulic power, hydraulic rod puller, and more. Options include deflectors and restraints, rigid and swing hammer variations, mulch coloring system, fire suppression system, and more.
C.W. Mill Equipment recognized early on that the dirt and contaminants swirling around pose a potential problem for engine efficiency. To compensate for the dirt and dust in grinding operations, C.W. Mill installed the biggest possible radiator pre-cleaner. It also arranged the engine intake air duct so that it captures the cleanest and coolest air available.
Morbark VTECTION Protects Hammermill
Morbark
Winn, Michigan
(800) 831-0042
Morbark has innovated and manufactured durable, high-performance equipment for the forest products industry for more than 60 years. It manufactures a full line of brush chippers, stump cutters, mini skid steers, forestry mulchers, aerial trimmers, whole tree and biomass chippers, flails, horizontal and tub grinders, sawmill equipment, material handling systems, and mulcher head attachments.
The Morbark 6400XT is the newest and largest in Morbark’s line of horizontal grinders. It comes standard with a Caterpillar 325L undercarriage with 600mm double grousers. Designed and built for processing wood waste, land clearing and storm debris material into saleable products, it has a 24-inch infeed bed and sloped sides for improved visibility and sight lines for loader operators. The infeed area is 60 inches by 59.5 inches. Caterpillar diesel engine options range from 1,050 to 1,200 hp.
The machine features the Morbark Integrated Control Systems (MICS), which automatically adjusts feed rates and monitors pressures and feed wheel position to maximize production and engine efficiency. The grinder can be operated via remote control.
The hammermill system features a heavy-duty rotor and thick laser-cut rotor plates to ensure precision and enforced steel strength. The hammermill pattern includes 18 balanced, forged heavy-duty hammers; 18 wide, double-edged replaceable inserts and 18 rakers. The hammermill drive tensioning system is independent for ease of adjustment.
The Morbark 6400XT is equipped with the company’s new VTECTION system. It monitors rotor vibration to reduce damage from contact with contaminants or other causes of damaging vibration, such as an out-of-balance rotor, broken insert, or defective bearing. When coupled with Morbark’s Break-Away Torque Limiter, these features help to protect the hammermill.
With the VTECTION system, the operator sets an acceptable operating vibration level through the electronic controller. Since different feedstocks produce different vibration levels, the operator can quickly fine-tune the trip point to match the grinding application.
Precision Husky Machines Do Double Duty
Precision Husky
Moody, Alabama
(205) 640-5181
Precision Husky manufactures machines and equipment for the forest products industry, including chippers, drum chippers and whole tree chippers, and horizontal grinders and tub grinders.
Founded in 1964, Precision Husky designs and builds tough, durable machines that offer high volume production at low cost per ton.
Precision Husky’s fuel-efficient, low maintenance and low noise grinders are used around the world to process wood material into mulch, compost and boiler fuel.
The company’s ProGrind line of high-speed horizontal grinders feature a down cut design, which allows the hammermill to be switched out for a two or four knife chipper drum. One machine can do both: grind or chip. The dual cutting surfaces at various depths eliminate jams. Each model is remotely controlled and comes with a rugged diesel engine ranging from 520-1,050 hp and a steel infeed belt. All models can be track or trailer mounted.
The H-4060 is the largest model in the ProGrind series of horizontal grinders. It has a 40-inch cutting capacity and a 60-inch-wide infeed. The raised feed wheel locks in place with hydraulically operated safety pins for ease of maintenance.
Rawlings Specialty Is Stationary Electric Grinders
Rawlings Manufacturing
Missoula, Montana
(866) 762-9327
The Rawlings family business began as a small sawmill construction and consulting company in 1976. In 1980 Cliff Rawlings developed the Rawlings solid rotary wood hog. It used a system of solid rotors that efficiently reduced tough cedar bark.
Since then the family-owned and operated company has manufactured and marketed several series of product lines, offering a complete line of horizontal and vertical grinders in a range of sizes, diesel or electric powered.
Rawlings Manufacturing specializes in custom industrial-sized electric stationary wood grinding systems designed around the customer’s specific needs. No customer or project is exactly the same; each has its own unique challenges. With 45 years of experience in the wood grinding industry, Rawlings has the knowledge and expertise to design the system to fit a customer’s processing needs and budget.
Rawlings wood hogs are available in seven sizes, in both vertical and horizontal models to fit any application – from simple stand-alone vertical grinders to complete multi-dimensional horizontal grinding systems. As a proven leader in size reduction equipment, Rawlings assists customers in utilizing renewable resources while reducing and recycling a wide variety of wood waste into valuable wood fiber products. Each vertical wood grinder can be designed with work platform decks, choice of belt, chain or vibrating in-feed and out-feed conveyors, metal or magnet protection, product screening and separation, receiving transfers and walking floor storage bins – all customizable for a specific operation.
Machines are designed with rock crusher technology to be extremely tolerant of contaminants, rocks and metal without catastrophic maintenance costs if metal enters the grinding chamber. The Safety Swing Away Anvil triggers the shear pin to shear, allowing the anvil and grate to open if excessive shock loads or ungrindables are encountered, immediately turning off the power to the hog. Patented Rocwear™ striker plates and striker tips are easily replaceable when worn and provide tremendous wear life with superior grinding performance.
Recycling Equipment Offers ‘Dump and Run’ Grinding
Recycling Equipment
Newton, North Carolina
(888) 734-3783
Recycling Equipment has been an industry leader since 1994, providing customers with cutting edge technology to meet their waste and recycling challenges and helping them turn their commercial waste into revenue. It produces equipment that drives a measurable difference in safety, economics, the environment and energy consumption while continuing to offer superior performance and durability.
Recycling Equipment, with locations in North Carolina and Texas, offers financing, installation, and equipment service. Its equipment and systems are operating throughout the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, and Africa.
The company offers shredders and grinders for reducing wood and other material and also balers, roll cutters, sorting systems and conveyors and tippers, and air conveyor and dust collection systems.
Recycling Equipment engineers, designs, manufactures and supports a series of ‘dump and run’ industrial shredders and grinders for the most demanding material size reduction applications, including scrap wood material and wood pallets. They enable customers to dump large quantities of scrap into the charge chamber at one time and go away.
Recycling Equipment shredders and grinders offer a superior design, PLC controls, high energy efficiency motors, easy maintenance, and a preventive maintenance program that is backed by a service repair team.
Rotochopper Has Developed Reputation for Efficient, Powerful Grinding
Rotochopper
St. Martin, Minnesota
(320) 548-3586
Rotochopper designs, builds and supports a complete lineup of horizontal grinders, wood chip processors, asphalt shingle grinders, mobile bagging systems, and a variety of supporting equipment.
The company’s approach began with the idea that waste processing equipment should do more than simply reduce the volume of waste heading to landfills or generate low-grade finished products. It was a philosophy that grinding equipment should deliver practical, profitable solutions. Rotochopper has been manufacturing equipment to produce high-quality commodities like landscape mulch, boiler fuel and animal bedding for more than 30 years.
Rotochopper grinding equipment transforms raw materials like pallet scrap, sawmill residuals, sorted construction and demolition debris, and forestry slash into premium wood fiber products such as color-enhanced landscape mulch, animal bedding, biomass fuel, and compost.
Rotochopper electric and diesel horizontal grinders deliver the required particle size, texture, and even color.
Rotochopper has developed solutions for specialized recycling applications, including purpose-built grinders for asphalt shingle waste and wood chip processors for tree care waste. The company also offers portable systems that can be towed by pickup truck, fine grinding systems, and mobile bagging equipment.
Rotochopper offers three models of electric horizontal grinders. The B-66 E, powered by a 500-1,000 hp electric motor, delivers high volumes of engineered fiber commodities such as colored mulch, animal bedding, and can even grind asphalt shingle waste into asphalt cement supplement.
The Rotochopper EC-366 has been popular with pallet companies, sawmills, transfer stations, and other facilities that require consistent uptime and precision grinding in a mid-size machine. It is powered by an electric motor ranging from 150-500 hp.
The Rotochopper SB-24-E, powered by a 150-250 hp electric motor, is designed specifically to grind slabs in-line with a sawmill.
Rotochopper offers five models of diesel grinders ranging from 275 to 1050 hp.
As a factory-direct company, Rotochopper is uniquely focused on providing innovative solutions and extraordinary customer service.
West Salem Supplies Machines and Systems
West Salem Machinery
Salem, Oregon
(800) 722-3530
West Salem Machinery, which has been in business more than 70 years, offers a wide range of grinding equipment for various industries and applications, including the pallet industry. The company can supply individual machines or complete systems. West Salem Machinery’s staff provides complete engineering, manufacturing and support services.
The company’s approach to product development and testing starts with the customer’s end product in mind — the finished product that meets the customer’s needs. This is achieved by designing the best machine or process solution that converts feedstock into the finished product in an efficient, cost-effective manner.
West Salem Machinery manufactures hammer mills and shredders, hopper-fed low-RPM grinders, horizontal low-RPM grinders, horizontal high-speed grinders, and vertical feed high-speed grinders.
For the pallet industry, the company recommends a hopper-fed grinder, horizontal grinder or a vertical grinder to produce such products as animal bedding, boiler fuel, mulch, and feedstock for particleboard manufacturing. For lower volume applications West Salem Machinery recommends hopper-fed low-RPM grinders specifically designed for pallet recycling applications. These grinders operate on low horsepower and generate low noise and are known for ease of installation and low maintenance. Larger-capacity applications use high-speed horizontal grinders capable of processing 400 pallets per hour.
West Salem Machinery also offers screens and conveyors.
