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Heavy equipment scrap attachments enable machines like excavators and material handlers to sort, cut, and load scrap.The right attachment and machine combination will drastically increase a scrap processor’s profits. The wrong combination leads to unnecessary service bills and downtime.To select the proper heavy equipment attachment, scrap processors should determine the size and weight of the material they are processing and cross reference the machine load chart before renting or purchasing an attachment.Here is a breakdown of scrap attachments with their functions and best maintenance practices. Orange Peel Grapples and 2-3 Tine Grapple Scrap Attachments Orange peel grapples are normally used for general material handling and auto hulks. Orange peel grapples are offered with four or five tines.Some scrap processors really like the four-tine grapples to unload railcars. Others appreciate the five-tine grapple when picking large piles. Ultimately, the decision between a four or five-tine grapple is based on preference in most situations. An orange peel grapple’s opening width provides a noticeable difference during operation. Orange peel grapples are available in semi-closed, closed, or open configurations. The semi-closed option is the standard configuration for orange peel grapples, and it offers support for most material. The open grapple is ideal for larger, bulkier loads, and the closed grapple is better for handling finer materials.Another grapple option to consider is the 2-3 tine grapple. This attachment is specifically designed for fast, precise loading of processed auto hulk and baled material. If scrap processors are regularly handling these types of materials, they should consider purchasing a dedicated material handler or excavator with a 2-3 tine grapple for stationary loading of balers and trucks. Scrap Magnet Attachments Scrap magnet attachments are regularly used in scrapyards to separate ferrous material from non-ferrous material and unload smaller scrap that no other attachment can grab from truck beds or train cars.Scrap magnet attachments with more surface area produce a larger magnetic field and pick up more material. Before renting or purchasing a scrap magnet attachment, scrap processors should consider the magnet’s surface area, ampere, the size of their generator in kilowatts, and review their material handler’s load chart. Mobile Shears and Bucket Link Shears Shears are the go-to scrap attachment when material needs to be resized for further processing.Scrap processors have the choice between bucket link shears and mobile shears. Bucket link shears offer unmatched cycle times and are more cost-effective than mobile shears. However, bucket link shears have no rotation capabilities, and they cut lighter material than mobile shears. For example, a LaBounty BLS 2000 can cut a 10-inch I-beam, while an MSD 2000R can cut a 20-inch I-beam. Mobile shears with integrated cylinders, such as LaBounty’s MSD series, rotate so operators can make fewer cuts, reducing wear and tear.Scrap processors should identify the type of production they need before renting or purchasing a shear. Material Handlers, Excavators, Skid Steers, or Wheel Loaders Material handlers are purpose-built for scrapyards because they have higher lifting capacity than excavators and have up to three times faster travel speeds than comparably sized excavators.Most of the scrap attachments listed above are commonly used with material handlers for these reasons. However, excavators are better suited for shear operation, and they are more cost-effective than material handlers. If a scrap processor needs a machine to cut scrap or pick up smaller piles with limited travel around the yard, an excavator may be their best option. While excavators are better suited for shear operation, scrap processors can still employ shears on their material handlers in special circumstances. Material handlers normally feature a straight boom to optimize the machine’s vertical lifting capacity. This type of boom is less than ideal for shearing material at ground level.To counteract this limitation, some manufacturers offer material handlers with quick coupling systems that allow operators to swap sticks and attach a second member shear. For example, Fuchs offers the Quick Connect (FQC).“We offer the FQC because there are a number of yards that are pressed for space,” Fuchs North America Sales Manager John Van Ruitenbeek said. “Those scrapyards want one machine that can do more than one function to ensure they are maximizing the potential production capabilities of their space.”Scrap processors who want shear operation on a material handler can also convert a machine from their fleet. This conversion involves changing the boom configuration to optimize shear operation at ground level. Other common machines in scrapyards are skid steers and wheel loaders. These machines can be fitted with forks and grapples to transport small and midsize material to shredders or compactors.Scrap processors should examine their scrapyard layout, material size, and current fleet to determine the need for a skid steer, wheel loader, excavator, or material handler. Maintenance Guidelines Understanding proper scrap attachment maintenance is key to the long-term success of a scrap processor. Each attachment has different maintenance requirements. Scrap processors should regularly review these guidelines, which can be found in the operator’s manuals, to reduce downtime and additional costs. Maintenance for Grapples – Tine Inspections Orange peel grapples and 2-3 tine grapples require regular tine inspections to examine wear over time. These inspections will determine if the grapple needs to be shipped to the dealer for hard facing or other maintenance. Without tine inspections, the grapple’s lifting capacity will be affected and catastrophic failure could occur. Maintenance for Scrap Magnets – Duty Cycles, Daily Inspections, and Proper Storage Operators should adhere to their scrap magnet’s duty cycles as outlined by the manufacturer.A duty cycle is the amount of time a scrap magnet can continuously run before needing a break. For example, according to Winkle, its scrap magnets are designed for 75% duty cycles, meaning the magnet can be operated for up to 45 minutes continuously each hour.If operators do not follow duty cycles as outlined by the manufacturer, the scrap magnet will require costly maintenance or may even need to be replaced. Operators should also check their scrap magnets before each shift to ensure there are no cracks along the weld seams and that hard facing is still on the pole.The scrap magnet should Read More

As a school principal who grew up on a farm in North Carolina, Lance Honeycutt is passionate about education and heavy machinery.  Both were at the front of his mind when he created his YouTube channel called Honeycutt’s Brush & More in 2021.  The channel showcases projects he completes on his family’s farm and for his customers as the owner of Honeycutt’s Brush.  Most of his content involves a JCB 270T he purchased from Company Wrench. Honeycutt started the channel with a video titled, “Brush Cutting A Neglected Pond.”  He uses a GoPro camera to show his progress from multiple angles.  Shortly after this video, Honeycutt realized he needed something more than a brush cutter for most of the jobs he wanted to showcase on his channel.  He contacted Company Wrench Sales Territory Manager Will Byrd to demo a JCB F60HF mulcher with carbide teeth because he needed a low maintenance, rugged attachment that would handle thicker material. Testing the Mulcher Honeycutt wanted to assess the JCB F60HF’s capabilities in a challenging environment, so he used it in an area filled with trees on his family’s farm.  Previously, a chainsaw was the only equipment he could use to cut through the large, thick trees and brush in the area. After receiving instructions on how to operate the mulcher from Byrd, Honeycutt entered the cab and quickly cut his first tree to pieces.  He cut and mulched large trees for several hours before deciding to purchase the mulcher.  He showed part of the demo in a video titled “Testing Out A JCB Mulcher,” which features more than 14,000 views. “That mulcher is far and away better than the brush cutter I was using,” Honeycutt said.  “Mr. Byrd brought it here himself so I could try it out.  When I tested it out, I fell in love with it.  Trees take years to decompose, but with this mulcher you can cut the tree down to nothing in minutes.” Almost a year later, he has used the JCB 270T and F60HF on multiple customer jobsites to clear brush and trees to form paths for trails, increase sight lines for deer hunters, and create functional space for property owners.  Videos featuring the JCB F60HF quickly became the most viewed due to the attachment’s impressive capabilities.  At the time of this writing, Honeycutt has received nearly 200,000 views on his mulching videos alone.  Growing Confidence Honeycutt’s comfort with the JCB 270T has only grown since he purchased it nearly a year ago.  He has used it for a variety of jobs, including loading bales of hay for his family, moving a fallen tree after a storm, and fixing a drainage issue at the church next door.  Honeycutt channel serves as an educational hub for forestry and mulching enthusiasts.  He shows maintenance he performs on the JCB 270T and its attachments to both inform his audience and learn tips from them in the comments.  Visit Honeycutt’s Brush & More for more information. Read More