SCRAP HANDLING

SCRAP HANDLING ATTACHMENTS

There are several attachment options for handling scrap, the best fit for you will depend on several factors, like the layout of the yard, budget, and type of machinery.  The best solution will often be a combination of attachments working together to get the job done.  Below are some of the more common scrap attachments with the pro's and con's of each.

Electro Magnet

A scrap magnet works through electricity,  the operator moves the magnet over the scrap to be handled, he switches on the electricity and this causes the magnet to activate.  He moves the magnet with the material to the desired location and switches off the electricity, the disc is no longer magnetized and the materials drop off.

Pros:

• Exceptional for ferrous (magnetic) materials such as steel and iron.
• Great for cleaning small scrap around the yard.

Cons:

• Incapable of handling non-ferrous materials (non-magnetic) such as copper or aluminum.
• Extra wires are easily damaged.
• Requires a generator or power pack to power the magnet.

Mobile Shear

Mobile shears are used to cut large pieces of metal scrap into smaller more manageable pieces.  In the past, these large pieces of scrap were cut by hand with torches.  A hydraulic mobile shear is mounted to the end of the material handler and work off the hydraulics of the machine. 

Pros:

• Great for handling long materials such as piping or beams.
• Can cut these materials into smaller sections to consolidate pieces.

Cons:

• Cannot handle smaller scrap
• High maintenance requirements
• High cost

Hydraulic Grapples

Hydraulic Grapples are the most common attachment for moving material in a scrap environment.  Hydraulic grapples offer the most flexibility, they are available in different sizes and tine numbers and tine designs which allows the operator to custom tailor a grapple to fit his material handling needs.

Pros:

• Versatile- can be used on a wide variety of scrap
• Customizable-can be manufactured to the type of scrap handled for any particular yard
• Great for loading into trucks or sidecars

Cons:

• Can have difficulty handling fine scrap pieces.

Magnet Grapple

A Magnet Grapple is a standard grapple with a magnet permanently attached in the center.  These are typically seen in smaller scrap yards where the operator wants to multifunction with one tool.  The biggest drawback to a magnet grapple is the loss of overall capacity of the grapple.

Pros:

• Allows for general scrap handling as well as the handling of fine scrap pieces

Cons:

• Huge loss of capacity from the magnet being mounted in the center of the grapple
• Most costly option
• Heavy, reducing the reach

GRAPPLE FEATURES

There are several factors that should be considered when purchasing a grapple.  These factors include items such as design, lead times, parts availability and service.  This section will touch on each of these topics with Anvil Attachments solution to each.

DESIGN

Anvil Attachments is one of the original manufactures of hydraulic grapples in the world.  There are tried and test and have been continually improved over the years.

• FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS (FEA)
  • -FEA is a computer application which runs millions of simulations on every component of the grapple.  The software test for stress points, steel deflection and more.  This allows Anvil to identify any weak areas in design and correct them before cutting the first piece of steel.

• Anvil has developed a system of standard parts which they manufacture around.  This allows them to keep the cost down while maintaining the fastest lead times in the industry.  A new 4 tine grapple can be manufactured in as little as one week.

• Every part of an Anvil grapple is on the shelf.  These parts are available for same day shipping, allowing the end user to minimize their parts inventory.

• Anvil is dedicated to providing the best service in the industry.   If the Anvil name is on your grapple you can rest assured that Anvil will stand behind the manufacturing quality of that grapple.

WHAT MAKES A SUPERIOR GRAPPLE

Outside of the general design considerations discussed above, it is important to consider the design and quality of the individual grapple components.

MOTOR

The grapple motor, also known as the swivel is the heart of the grapple.  The motor provides power to all of the necessary hydraulic systems.  Anvils motor is a simple design and easy to maintain.

ROTATION

Anvil offers every rotation option possible.  Anvil's rotation system is a simple ring gear design which is both robust and allows for easy maintenance.  Rotation options are as follows.

• DIRECT MOUNT
  
  • In a direct mount configuration, the grapple is fixed in a predetermined configuration to the stick.  There is no rotation in a direct mound configuration.  This is the least expensive rotation configuration.
• KNOCK AROUND
  • In a knock around configuration, there is no rotation motor and the grapple is allowed to freely swing.  To position the grapple the operation must "knock" it on something to make it rotate.   
• 270 ROTATION
  • In a 270 Rotation configuration, the grapples rotation has stops installed which prevent the grapple from rotating more than 270 degrees in either direction.  This is often seen in magnet grapple scenarios which prevent the electrical cables from twisting.
• 360 ROTATION
  • 360 Rotation is the most common type of rotation configuration.  360 Rotation gives the operator full control over the grapple, allowing them to rotate the grapple 360 degrees continually.
  • Rotation Motor features built in cross over relief which reduces pressure spikes.

CYLINDERS

Grapple cylinders are one of the most important components on the grapple.  The cylinders must be powerful and robust to withstand the force exerted on them.  

• INERTIA WELDED ROD EYES
  • Standard welding techniques create weak areas where the metal is heated around the surrounded weld.  Inertia welding spins the pieces at extremely high RPMs when they are brought together they fuse creating a weld that avoids the weakness due to heat fatigue in traditional welding.
• 35% Increased surface area at the lower cylinder pin connection
• Grease seals added to lower pin connection
• Bronze bushing replaces spherical
  bearing
• 2-inch cylinder pins with wider
  bushings and grease seals
• Enhanced Cylinder Models
  • Bolt-On Head
  • High-Pressure Seals

CENTER SECTION

The center section in all Anvil grapples are made of high strength A514, or “T1” steel and are tested in their in house FEA program for strength.

• 3 inch lower tine pin for greater surface area and longevity
• FEA Tested

MATERIAL UPGRADES

Material Upgrades are available as well which are recommend when operating in harsh conditions.

• ASTRALLOY PINS AND MANGANESE BUSHINGS
  • Astralloy Pins with 11-14% Hadfield Forged Manganese Bushings increases the overall life of the grab components. The lower wear rate will result in having to replace the parts less often. This will also reduce the stress cracking due to flexure.
  • The bushings will survive in harsher environments. A standard 4140 bushing when worn enough can crack in the right scenario, a manganese bushing will not exhibit this weakness.
  • This upgrade option can increase the life of your parts by up to 50%. 
• MANGANESE BUSHINGS
  • Typical Hardness After Work Hardening: 500 Brinell / 52 Rockwell C
  • Where Used: All rotating points except for sheave bushings
  • Pros: Will not break/crack, extensive wear properties keep this bushing in use far longer than 4140 bushings.
• ASTRALLOY PINS
  • Yield Strength: 153,000 PSI [1,055 MPa]
  • Tensile Strength: 175,000 PSI [1,207 MPa]
  • Hardness: 320-380 Brinell / 34-41 Rockwell C
  • Where Used: All pins, except sheave pins
  • Pros: Upgraded steel for pins. Improved strength and wear properties overall compared to 4140
• 420 STAINLESS STEEL OVERLAYED PINS
  • Typical Properties:
    • Hardness: 500+ Brinell / 52+ Rockwell C
    • Where Used: All pins except sheave pins
    • Pros: Ultimate steel for pins. Incredibly high strength and wear properties, where these pins combined with manganese bushings can virtually run greaseless.
•  HARDWARE500 PLATE STEEL
  • Tradename: “AR500”
  • Typical Properties:
  • Yield Strength: 200,000 PSI [1,379 MPa]
  • Tensile Strength: 225,000 PSI [1,551 MPa]
  • Hardness: 480-550 Brinell / 50-54 Rockwell C
  • Where Used: lips, bowl bottoms, sides, wear pads, etc.
  • Pros: AR500 has the best strength & wear properties when compared to other steels.

TINE DESIGNS

When choosing a grapple, an important consideration is the tine liner design. The tine liner should match the type and size of scrap which is primarily being handled.  Another consideration is the number of tines on the grapple. 

FOUR or FIVE TINES

• Hydraulic grapples are typically either four tine or 5 tines.  The most common size is four tines, and Anvil does not recommend using a 5 tine grapple until going over 2 cubic yard capacity as it is unnecessary and considerably more expensive.

TINE LINERS

• SEMI BLADE
  • Semi-blade tines are the most popular tine style. This design is used for general scrap handling and provide a good mix of scrap penetration and ability to grab a wide range of scrap sizes.
• NARROW BLADE 
  • Narrow Blade tines are used when handling large scrap pieces.  The narrow blade design allows for superior penetration of the material.
• LOWER 1/3 ENCLOSED 
  • Lower 1/3 Enclosed tines are good for handling smaller pieces of scrap or finer materials while maintaining a lower grapple weight and maximizing the capacity of fine materials which can be handled by the grapple.
• LOWER ½ ENCLOSED
  • Lower 1/2 Enclosed tines are similar to the lower third enclosed, except the liners are enclosed for half of the way along the tine. This increases the grapple weight more than the lower third enclosed liners.
• FULLY ENCLOSED 
  • Fully Enclosed tines are used when handling small pieces of shred scrap or other loose material.  A fully enclosed grapple allows the grapple to be used as a bucket. They are like the lower third and lower half but fully enclose the entire tine. This increases the weight even further past the lower half enclosed liners.
• TOOTH POINTS
  • Tines typically come standard with Weld-On Replaceable tooth points.