Crane Configuration for Scrap & Recycling Yards
Crane configurations for the recycling and scrap metal industry must cover three key stages: the scrap yard, the shredding and sorting line, and the baling and shearing station. For the scrap yard, an MG Type gantry crane rated 10–50 t with a lifting magnet is recommended; the shredding bay calls for a grab bridge crane; and the baling shop requires a heavy-duty gantry crane rated 32–100 t. Kelude can tailor the magnet specifications and quantity to match your specific scrap yard layout.
In the recycling and scrap metal industry—covering scrap metal recovery, secondary metals, waste paper, waste plastics, and end-of-life vehicle dismantling—overhead cranes handle the unloading, stockpiling, feeding, and truck loading of scrap and waste materials. Scrap yards are typically open-air or semi-enclosed, so the crane must be fitted with a lifting magnet (for scrap metal), a grab bucket (for bulk materials), or a purpose-built fixture (for paper bales or plastic bundles). This article outlines crane configuration solutions for the three main stages: scrap yard, shredding and sorting, and baling and shearing.
Crane Configurations for the Recycling Industry at a Glance
| Comparison Parameter | Scrap Yard | Shredding & Sorting Workshop | Baling & Shearing Workshop |
|---|---|---|---|
| recommended model | MG Type Gantry Crane | Overhead crane with grab | Heavy-Duty Gantry Crane/QDoverhead type |
| Lifting Capacity Range | 10~50t | 10~32t | 32~100t |
| Lifting spreader Solution | Lifting magnet(Circular/Rectangular) | Grab (grab bucket)(Multi-Jaw/Clamshell) | Lifting magnet+strapping machine Matching |
| Working Environment | Outdoor Open-Air | Indoor Dusty | Indoor Heavy load |
| Protection Rating (IP) | IP55+Anti-corrosion C4 | IP54+Dustproof | IP44 |
| reference price | 20~8010K CNY | 15~5010K CNY | 30~12010K CNY |
Scrap Yard Gantry Cranes with Lifting Magnets
Scrap yard gantry cranes are the backbone of scrap processing operations—they unload scrap from dump trucks and railcars, stockpile it, and feed it to transport vehicles or belt conveyors according to the batching requirements. The recommended solution is an MG-type gantry crane fitted with a lifting magnet:
- Recommended model: MG-type double-girder gantry crane (10–32t), span 25–40m, cantilever 6–10m, work duty A6–A7 (high-frequency operation)
- Lifting magnet: Round electromagnetic lifting magnet (diameter 1.2–2m, lifting capacity 2–10t, DC-220V power supply) or rectangular magnet for long scrap such as rails and profiles, paired with a rectifier control cabinet and cable reel
- Weighing system: High-accuracy load cell (accuracy ±0.5%) integrated into the hoisting mechanism—each lift is automatically weighed and tallied, with data uploaded to the mill or yard's batching management system
- Outdoor corrosion protection: C4–C5 coating system + IP55-rated electric control cabinet + stainless steel fasteners + wind rail clamp (rated for wind loads ≥8 on the Beaufort scale)
- Control mode: Radio remote control (operator walks alongside the magnet on the ground for the best field of vision) with a backup operator cab for use in rain or snow
- Reference price: MG-type 20t/30m with lifting magnet: approx. $59,000–$119,000
Crusher & Sorting Plant Cranes—Grab or Magnet Feeding
Scrap shredding lines (shredder → magnetic separation → eddy current separation → non-ferrous sorting → discharge) require cranes to feed scrap from the stockyard into the shredder infeed. The crushing environment is extremely noisy (shredder noise 100–120 dB) and dusty (dust concentration can reach 20–50 mg/m³ during processing):
- Recommended model: LD/LH-type overhead crane (10–20t) with lifting magnet or grab, work duty A5–A6, span 18–28m
- Dust protection: IP55-rated electric control cabinet + positive pressure dust cover, TEFC totally enclosed motor, and an operator cab with sound insulation (≥30 dB reduction), air conditioning, and positive pressure dust protection
- Grab vs. lifting magnet: For shredder feeding, the crane can be equipped with an electro-hydraulic grab (1–3 m³ capacity, ideal for light scrap and shredder feed) or a lifting magnet (for heavy scrap, steel plate, and profiles). A quick-change lifting spreader option allows the same crane to switch between grab and magnet in minutes.
- Reference price: LH-type 16t/22m with grab: approx. $44,000–$74,000
Balers & Shears Plant Cranes—Heavy Scrap Handling
Balers and alligator shears are the final stage of the scrap processing line—they compress loose scrap into uniform bales for efficient transport and furnace charging. Individual balers and shears weigh 20–100t, and a high-throughput baling plant processes 500–2,000t of scrap per shift. This demands large-tonnage lifting equipment for feeding, discharging, and stacking finished bales:
- Recommended model: MG-type gantry crane 32–100t or QD-type double-girder bridge crane 32–80t, work duty A6–A7, span 18–30m
- Magnet feeding: A heavy-duty embedded lifting magnet with raised bars to increase friction force—ideal for lifting large, heavy scrap pieces and maintaining a steady feed into the baler hopper
- Bale stacking: Finished bales from the baler discharge (600×600 mm, 0.5–2t per bale) need to be stacked in the storage area. A lifting magnet or dedicated fixture is recommended—the flat bale surface provides a closed magnetic circuit for reliable lifting.
- Reference price: MG-type 50t/24m with lifting magnet: approx. $104,000–$178,000; QD-type 50t/22m: approx. $89,000–$148,000
Kelude's Service Advantages for the Recycling Industry
- Dual-spreader magnet + grab solution: Kelude offers a quick-change dual-spreader system that lets the same gantry crane switch between lifting magnet and grab based on the scrap type—changeover takes about 3–5 minutes. Use the magnet for heavy scrap (15–20 second cycle time) and the grab for light, bulky material (consistent bite volume), so one crane covers the full range of scrap handling duties.
- Wear-resistant grab technology: Kelude scrap grabs combine NM450 wear-resistant steel plate (hardness HB430–480) with ZGMn13-4 high manganese steel lip and ceramic liner plates. A single grab lasts 6–12 months in normal scrap service. An optional automatic lubrication system extends hinge point life by approximately 30%.
- Gantry crane design & manufacturing capability: Kelude designs and manufactures MG-type gantry cranes from 10t to 50t, configurable with lifting magnets, grabs, hook-mounted scales, and other spreaders. With spans of 25–40m plus side cantilevers of 6–10m and lifting heights of 12–18m, a single gantry crane covers the entire stockyard footprint—replacing 2–3 overhead cranes.
FAQ
Q: Should a scrap yard use an overhead crane or a gantry crane?
A: For scrap yards, we recommend the MG-type gantry crane. The gantry span covers the entire yard (25–40 m) plus cantilevers on both sides (6–10 m each), so a single gantry crane can replace the working range of 2–3 overhead cranes. The gantry legs sit directly on ground-level crane rails, eliminating the need for building columns and roof trusses, which keeps construction costs low. Lifting height can be designed from 12 to 18 m, allowing multi-layer stacking to make full use of vertical space. Overhead cranes are better suited for indoor scrap workshops with spans of 18–28 m.
Q: What affects the lifting capacity of an electromagnetic suction cup?
A: The lifting capacity of an electromagnetic suction cup depends significantly on the shape, thickness, and bulk density of the scrap. For the same 1.6 m diameter, 15 kW round suction cup: when lifting heavy scrap (thick steel plates, ingots, heavy rails), capacity reaches 8–10 t; when lifting light scrap (sheet metal, baled scrap, chassis frames), it drops to 2–4 t; and when lifting cast iron or stainless steel, it approaches zero. Kelude can recommend the right suction cup specifications and quantity based on the scrap mix at your yard.
Q: What wear-resistant options are available for scrap grabs?
A: Scrap grabs experience extremely rapid wear from direct contact with scrap. Kelude recommends the following wear-resistant solution: the grab body is made of NM450 wear-resistant steel plate (hardness HB430–480), the lip uses ZGMn13-4 high-manganese steel, and the interior is lined with wear-resistant liner plates. Under normal scrap handling conditions, the lip and liner plates typically need replacement after 6–12 months of service. An optional automatic lubrication system can extend hinge point service life by approximately 30%.
Q: Is an electromagnetic suction cup or a grab better for a scrap yard?
A: For round scrap (crop ends, rebar bundles, steel shavings) and heavy scrap (steel plates, ingots, rails), we recommend an electromagnetic suction cup — it picks up instantly when energized and releases when de-energized, with a cycle time of about 15–20 seconds for high efficiency. For light and mixed scrap, a grab is the better choice — it is not limited by the magnetic permeability of the material. The optimal solution is to configure the same gantry crane with a quick-change system for both suction cup and grab attachments; Kelude's changeover time is approximately 3–5 minutes.
