Suppliers of grinding and shredding equipment are important partners to the pallet and lumber industries due to the large volumes of scrap wood material they generate. These wood product businesses are faced with the challenge of disposing of the scrap material or processing it into a marketable product that will help improve a company’s bottom line.
In this article, we provide information about key considerations for your next grinding investment. This includes key questions to consider as well as information about leading suppliers of grinding equipment.
Choosing a grinder or shredder depends on a number of factors related to a company’s particular application. Some initial questions are: What do you need to reduce? Is it hardwood or softwood? What species? Do you need to grind slabs, edgings, trim ends, and other residual material from a sawmill or scragg mill? Or is it trim ends from cants and scrap from lumber remanufacturing operations? Is it scrap material from recycling pallets, such as dismantling pallets to reclaim usable lumber? Maybe you need to grind whole scrap or junk pallets. Or do you have a combination of these materials?
The grinder or shredder for your application also will depend on the volume of material you have to process. How much material do you need to grind every day or week? Is the volume likely to change in the future? If so, when and by how much?
Another consideration is 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 particleboard or other wood products? What 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 you are going to grind or shred used scrap pallet lumber or junk pallets, depending on the market for the wood fiber, you may need to separate and remove nails and nail fragments from the material. That’s another consideration.
If you plan to produce a finished product, such as mulch or colored mulch, will you need any ancillary equipment, such as screens or coloring systems?
The purchase cost of the machine certainly will be a factor, but so will the operating costs. Grinders and shredders typically require regular maintenance; weigh the maintenance costs.
What about power options? 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 or shredder going to be located, and where and how are the grindings going to be handled and stored? Would you be better off with a stationary grinding system or a trailer-mounted machine or a grinder on tracks? Will the grindings 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.
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. Our solutions are 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.
Boulware’s systems are designed with new and rebuilt Cresswood-quality shredders.
Providing complete turnkey solutions is Boulware’s proven formula to keep happy customers. These solutions automate reclaiming 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 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 their carbon footprint.
Give Boulware a call and see how its staff can develop a customized solution that converts your wood trash into two sellable products, wood fiber and metal.
Cresswood a Leader in Low-RPM Single Shaft Pallet Grinders
Cresswood Shredding Machinery
Cortland, Illinois
(815) 758-7171
Cresswood Shredding Machinery features a range of industry-leading grinders to provide the perfect solution for your specific pallet recycling needs. From huge volumes of whole pallets to right-sized solutions for smaller volumes of pieces off a recycling line, it has an engineered-to-order model that fits your company’s needs.
XR500 Series: Introduced in 2020 as a small footprint solution specifically engineered for pallet manufacturers and recyclers needing to grind boards, blocks, and miscellaneous scrap from recycling lines. 3,000-5,000 lbs./hr. output capability*
XR600 Series: Still the most popular choice for pallet companies in the U.S. It can easily handle dump-and-go grinding of whole pallets as well as boards, stringers, and blocks. 4,000-7,000 lbs./hr. output capability*
XR700 Series: This beast features a 70-inch long rotor with a 20-inch diameter that provides high output characteristics and increased capability to handle extreme loads for decades. 6,500-10,000 lbs./hr. output capability*
XR-2400 Series: The largest, most rugged and capable pallet grinder that Cresswood has ever manufactured. 8,000-12,000 lbs./hr. output capability* (*depending on screen size choice)
These industry-leading, dependable grinders allow pallet companies to increase their output volumes to a new level in low-speed, high-torque grinding while providing much lower energy consumption and cost of ownership than high-rpm equipment. Low-rpm grinding is a quieter technology and produces substantially less dust than other size reduction solutions, so they are designed to be nested within production spaces for added labor savings.
Mulch manufacturers, pellet producers and biofuel businesses can all benefit from the dependability and high throughput capabilities of these machines. Cresswood is dedicated to ever-new technology and committed to continuous improvement through expert engineering and precision manufacturing.
CW Mill Equipment Provides Strong Service & Support
CW Mill Equipment Co.
Sabetha, Kansas
(800) 743-3491
Over 45 years ago, CW Mill Equipment Co. saw the grinding industry’s need for higher quality industrial grinders, and it has been responding to the wants and needs of the industry ever since.
When it came to industrial wood grinding, CW Mill Equipment Co. started from the ground up with a specific goal to take on the toughest applications. Its goal drove the company to manufacture the most reliable, highest capacity grinders, and the result was the creation of the HogZilla grinder.
From stumps and logs to railroad ties and tires, the HogZilla line of equipment can handle the toughest jobs and provide the highest production rates. In addition to the relentless operation of these machines, customers appreciate the knowledgeable and committed service provided by CW Mill Equipment Co. staff. Customers can always rely on the company for support.
CW Mill Equipment Co. currently manufactures 20 standard HogZilla grinder models, including self-propelled, track driven, self-loading and electric units. Most grinder configurations include tub grinders and horizontal feed units for wood and other waste recycling. Optional thrown object restraint and tire processing packages are available for most portable and stationary tub grinders.
HogZilla grinders are built to meet and exceed a customer’s needs. They are built to be reliable, for production and heavy. CW Mill Equipment Co. manufactures the highest quality industrial grinders and believes in service after the sale. HogZilla’s customer support and parts availability have been top-rated in the grinder industry.
Each product that CW Mill Equipment Co. has developed, manufactured, and offered for 50 years has been in large part customer-driven. That approach is backed by experienced staff, advanced manufacturing equipment, and the will to continue to do what CW Mill Equipment Co. has done for over 50 years – innovate and adapt.
Rotochopper Delivers Complete Solutions with a Wide Lineup of Equipment
Rotochopper
St. Martin, Minnesota
(320) 875-9950
Pallet grinding built Rotochopper. Thirty-five years and millions of operating hours across six continents later, the company’s lineup of machines includes horizontal grinders, shredders, and equipment for operations large and small.
The machines have evolved, but the basics have not. Rotochopper offers powerful equipment built to hold up and real support from the people who designed and built it.
Rotochopper offers a variety of horizontal grinders. Diesel models provide mobility for custom jobs or multi-site operations, while electric models, like the flagship B-66 E (500-1,000 hp), deliver high-volume output for stationary facilities with three-phase power. Patented features – including the screen change system and replaceable mount rotor – cut downtime and keep maintenance costs down.
Whether you’re producing colored mulch, animal bedding, or biomass fuel, Rotochopper grinders deliver consistent particle size and texture in a single pass.
Rotochopper’s shredders are ideal for contaminated pallets, high volumes and mixed material. The Rotochopper shredder lineup handles it all. These twin-rotor shredders (375-770 HP) aggressively preprocess feedstock and remove metal before grinding. Pair one with a Rotochopper grinder for a complete system.
Rotochopper doesn’t disappear after the sale. It stocks any part you may need and has knowledgeable support staff ready to help you troubleshoot any issue. Partner with Rotochopper and you’ll see the difference – in the equipment, the support, and your bottom line.
Vecoplan Offers Range of Grinders and Chippers
Vecoplan USA
Greensboro, North Carolina
(336) 743-1399
With more than 50 years of experience and installations in over 120 countries, Vecoplan is a trusted leader in wood processing equipment. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance grinders, chippers, and material handling solutions, supported by expert engineering and installation services, whether the application requires a single machine or a fully integrated processing system.
Vecoplan wood waste grinders are engineered for versatility, efficiently processing material for boiler fuel, animal bedding, mulch, and composite products such as particleboard. They also support composting operations and the preparation of biomass for alternative fuels, including pellets, cellulosic ethanol, and other second-generation biofuels.
For pallet recycling, Vecoplan grinders are built for durability and dependable “dump and run” operation. Material is simply loaded into the hopper or conveyor, a button is pressed, and the system goes to work – streamlining processing with minimal operator involvement.
Each machine is built on a rugged frame with oversized drivetrains, heavy outboard spherical roller bearings, robust hydraulics, and integrated tramp metal protection. The low-speed, high-torque design, paired with high-output Torsion Point cutting rotors, delivers consistent throughput and long service life. User-friendly PLC controls, accessible wear components, four-way indexable cutting inserts, and quick-change screens further simplify operation and maintenance, minimizing downtime.
Beyond equipment, Vecoplan is committed to long-term partnership. Dedicated service and support teams work closely with customers from startup through the life of the system, providing preventive maintenance programs, OEM parts, remote support, and process optimization. This consultative approach ensures systems continue to perform reliably and efficiently, helping customers adapt, grow, and succeed over time.
West Salem Brings All-Electric Machinery to the Industry
West Salem Machinery
Salem, Oregon
(503) 364-2213
West Salem Machinery (WSM) has been building all-electric, rugged and reliable machinery for the toughest applications in the world since 1947. WSM systems deliver superior processing performance while minimizing maintenance and horsepower requirements. Its fully integrated systems can include grinding, pre- and post-screening, conveyors, access platforms, structures, and controls to deliver superior performance. Decades of experience in worldwide installations make WSM solutions a wise choice for converting feedstock into marketable products.
One of the biggest shifts in the industry is the move toward electrified equipment—and for good reason. Electric motors are known for their higher energy efficiency compared to combustion engines, resulting in significantly reduced operating and maintenance costs over time. Not only is it easier for the operator to manage electric equipment, it’s also safer. Compared to diesel-powered systems, WSM’s electric grinders and screening solutions deliver:
Lower operating costs – Reduce fuel expenses and maintenance downtime.
Higher efficiency – Consistent power for steady, high-volume processing
Quieter, cleaner operation – Minimize emissions and noise for a more sustainable facility.
If you are considering an electric alternative or we could help you with a different application – let’s connect.
