Steve Shinn is accustomed to thinking big. It just goes with running one of the largest scrap recycling operations in the world.
As general manager of the Sims Hugo Neu East facility in Jersey City, NJ, one of Shinn’s major projects was to commission a new mega-shredder to upgrade a 3,000 tons (2,700 t) per day auto shredding business.
Last fall, when he decided to purchase Sims Hugo Neu’s first two Sennebogen scrap handling machines, Shinn was thinking a bit smaller for a change.
“These machines are actually lighter than the two they replaced. But they will perform the same work because the operators will make up the difference in cycle times,” said Shinn.
At more than 112,000 lbs., the two 835 R-HD “green machines” from Sennebogen weigh in approximately 10 percent less than the machines Shinn was replacing. The older machines had more power on board — 321 hp versus the 266-hp Cat engines used by the Sennebogens. However, Shinn had his reasons for believing the lighter equipment would maintain production.
“Sennebogen has an approach toward design that puts the customers’ needs first, not just the company’s own needs for low costs or to simplify manufacturing. They design for the operator and the service technicians,” Shinn explained.
“They look after the little things that matter to make operators more productive. The elevating cab is a big help that way. But small things, such as the heated seat, make the cab more comfortable, make a difference too.”
However, the new Sennebogen machines retain some similarities with the retired cranes. They offer the operators the same reach radius but the R-HD models run on tracks, not wheels. Other differences are subtler.
Sennebogen material handlers are fully purpose-built for lifting and swinging loads, while the machines they replaced were adapted from excavator designs. As a result, the 835 R-HD units are expected to move an equal amount to material through a shift, but with better fuel economy.
“We chose the crawler-mounted Sennebogen models because mobility was not a high priority for the operators,” Shinn said. “That wide stance and extra weight underneath, compared to the wheeled models, also gives them an extra sense of stability. It helps them feel comfortable, which allows them to be more aggressive with the machine.”
However, to qualify for a place in the Sims Hugo Neu fleet, the Sennebogens first had to satisfy Shinn’s overriding standard for all his equipment. Along with the Riverside Engineering mega-shredder, the 925-ton Harris shear, and the extensive dock facilities for its fleet of intercoastal barges, the 35-acre site is serviced by a large fleet of loaders and a dozen material handling machines. One of the new 835 R-HD units is assigned to feed the shear, while the other swings a magnet for unloading and high-piling duties.
“This whole site is built for volume; people always comment on how unique our facility is. We are continuously processing 24/6 all year long. We depend on equipment that won’t break down to ensure we keep on running day and night,” Shinn said.
Processing 1.5 million tons (13.5 million t) of ferrous scrap per year, the Jersey City yard receives material from six remote processing locations, and also is contracted to recycle metal, glass and plastic delivered from New York City’s curbside collection program.
“Any equipment will perform well for a few years. I look for equipment that will run long-term and retain its value. And I look for excellent dealer support to minimize my servicing downtime. I have to see that the manufacturer is supporting the dealer, too, and Sennebogen has demonstrated that,” he explained.
The quality of service provided by Binder Machinery was an important factor for choosing Sennebogen.
“They have great machines over at Binder. I’ve had them in here for years working on my loaders and doing maintenance on the shear. I can count on them to put the customers’ needs first whenever there there’s a problem,” Shinn said
The Caterpillar engines in the 835 R-HD’s also was an important factor in their favor. The Cat engines mean that the new equipment can share stock parts with the other Cat-driven equipment on site. Sennebogen’s computer-free design was “a good idea,” said Shinn.
Shinn admitted that, since these are the first Sennebogen machines commissioned for a Sims Hugo Neu yard, other sites in the Sims organization worldwide will be watching their performance closely.
“As the largest operation, we often get to try new things out first. Now we’re [more than] six months in and I like what I’ve seen with Binder and with the machines. I’m confident this was the right choice,” concluded Shinn.
For more information, call 877/309-0099 or visit www.sennebogen-na.com.
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