With over 30 years of experience in wood waste processing technology, the team at Vermeer understands that many recycling operations are constantly evaluating the right machines to process incoming material. While high speed grinders, which includes horizontal grinders and tub grinders, excel at sizing organic wood waste, pairing them with low speed shredders can offer significant advantages, especially when dealing with contaminated or variable input streams.
Ted Dirkx, sales manager for Vermeer Recycling and Forestry equipment, explained, “The collaboration between a low speed shredder and a high speed grinder provides recyclers with a versatile solution for managing contaminants.”
Adding an extra machine to the process comes with an investment, but it can lead to substantial benefits. To determine if it makes sense for your operations, you need to understand how these two machines work together, how they help create high-quality end products like mulch, compost or biomass, and how they may impact your operational costs.
How low speed shredders and high speed grinders work together
The low speed shredder serves as the first line of defense against contaminants and oversized materials. It typically operates at around 30 rpm – 40 rpm, using high torque to crush and tear material rather than cut it. This slower speed allows for:
- Better handling of metal and other hard contaminants
- More time for operators to spot and remove unwanted items
- Reduced risk of damage from unshreddable objects
After the initial shredding, the material moves to the high speed grinder. Operating at a much higher rpm (often over 1,000), these machines can:
- Further reduce the material size to meet specific product requirements
- Create a more uniform end product
Benefits of this combination
- Improved product quality: The two-stage process often results in:
- Mulch with fewer fines, leading to better color retention and reduced shipping weight
- More consistent compost feedstock for uniform decomposition
- Precisely sized biomass fuel for efficient burning
- Optimize operational efficiency: While counter-intuitive, using two machines can boost overall efficiency:
- The shredder handles tough materials that could slow down or damage a grinder
- Pre-processing optimizes grinder performance, potentially increasing throughput
- Continuous operation is possible, with the shredder preparing material while the grinder processes
“Consider a scenario where the shredder processed large, coarse wood into 12 in to 16 in (30.5 cm to 40.6 cm) sized material, using roughly 12 gal (45.4 L) of fuel per hour. The high speed grinder then further reduced this material to a size of 2 in to 3 in (5.1 cm to 7.6 cm), consuming about 15 gal (56.8 L) of fuel per hour,” said Dirkx. The fuel usage for this combined process is often less than that of a single machine performing the same operation.
- Minimized maintenance and maximize machine availability: By removing contaminants early, you can help protect your high speed grinder from damage, potentially leading to:
- Less spent on repairs
- Less frequent maintenance
- Increased uptime
- Versatility in processing: This setup allows you to:
- Handle a wider range of input materials
- Adjust output to meet changing market demands
- Potentially enter new markets or take on different types of contracts
Given these potential cost savings and operational benefits, many wood waste recycling operations are considering the combination of low speed shredders and high speed grinders. To meet this growing demand and support various operational needs, Vermeer has developed a comprehensive line of recycling equipment.
Vermeer recycling equipment line
Vermeer offers a comprehensive line of recycling equipment to meet various operational needs:
- Low speed shredder
- The Vermeer LS3600TX low speed shredder is designed to handle tough, contaminated materials efficiently.
- High speed grinders
Evaluating the investment and potential benefits
Pairing a low speed shredder with a high speed grinder enhances wood waste recycling, particularly with variable inputs. Despite the added cost of another machine, benefits such as improved quality, efficiency and capabilities are noteworthy.
To understand how this combination can enhance your operation, please reach out to your local Vermeer dealer.
Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes in product engineering, design and specifications; add improvements; or discontinue manufacturing or distribution at any time without notice or obligation. Equipment shown is for illustrative purposes only and may display optional accessories or components specific to their global region. Please contact your local Vermeer dealer for more information on machine specifications.
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