A shredder can be a viable option when considering crushing concrete or concrete with wire or rebar. There are pros and cons when selecting the appropriate system to reduce waste concrete.
One of the most important considerations is the size and type of the feed concrete. Shredders may be able to accept much larger chunks and slabs of concrete. In addition, a shredder may handle longer pieces of rebar and wire that would most likely need to be cut before feeding them into a jaw or impact crusher.
Another unique feature of most shredders is that they may not require a feeder. Many shredders can be fed large chunks directly on top of the shredder itself thus eliminating a feeder. The shredder is very efficient. In addition, the shredder can be equipped with an automatic reverse feature to further enhance its ability to accept large chunks. The auto reverse feature can enable the shredder to reverse and then go forward in order to grab and shred even the largest chunks.
If one considers the ability of the shredder to accept very large pieces, there is an argument that this could eliminate the need for preparatory equipment such as an excavator with a hydraulic hammer or cruncher. This could be a substantial jobsite savings and a real overall value when thinking about using a shredder.
As mentioned, there are always pros and cons. The shredder may have more wear on the wear parts as well as more frequent maintenance schedules. The shredder may require more horsepower and may be more expensive to purchase. As always, one must consider the discharge size of the material and be sure the shredder is producing the desired output sizes and gradation. Shredders don’t normally produce as desirable of a discharge product like a traditional crusher.
It is becoming more popular to position a shredder in line and in front of a traditional jaw or impact crusher. The shredder does the bulk of the work and the preparation of large chunks. Once the material is reduced to a more manageable size, the jaw or impact crusher can be used to further reduce the material into a popular and/or saleable size.
Traditional crushers are not normally used to process wood or construction and demolition debris. A shredder’s applications can cross over into the softer materials and may be a solution for users who dabble in both hard material as well as soft materials, such as wood. The versatility of the shredder is a valuable asset and can make the most sense when a user is looking for the infamous “one machine that can do it all”. Obviously, this is not exactly the case. However, if your goal is to simply reduce large chunks into smaller chunks and you have a mixed bag of input materials, the shredder could be the one machine that actually does it all.
As always, you should consult with an expert who can consider and discuss all of your challenges and requirements. Please contact us to be sure you are well informed and know all of the pros and cons. We can be reached at (803) 416-5200 or sales@rrequipment.com.
