We want to discuss a common industry question: what size wire chopper should you get? When people first contact us, they often aim for the largest model like a C4 or C5, envisioning substantial chopping volumes and material handling. This inclination is understandable, especially if they already have a consistent material source or captive material, such as a car shredder facility.
Let’s start with our smallest option, the C1. It can handle about 400 lbs/hour, totaling around 16,000 lbs/week, about 1 load/month. A load is around 40,000 to 42,000 lbs. Some customers have increased output by integrating shredders and other equipment, but typically, a C1 averages about 400 lbs/hour with #1 wire.
Moving up, our C2 has become our flagship model in recent years. It is compact, robust, and suitable for medium-sized scrapyards or processors. It processes between 600 to 800 lbs/hour, which equates to about 4 loads per month, based on a 40-hour workweek. However, actual operational hours are often less due to shift changes and employee breaks, which necessitate strategic scheduling to optimize production.
The C4 system is a significantly larger machine, often custom-built for specific applications like processing aluminum-copper radiators. It handles around 2,500 lbs/hour and can manage about 2 to 3 loads per week, translating to approximately 9 loads per month. It typically includes a shredder for enhanced throughput.
Lastly, the C5 is a custom system, less commonly requested than the C2 or C4. It can process 4,000 to 5,000 lbs/hour, with configurations sometimes exceeding these figures. Its application versatility includes multiple air tables and specialized features tailored to clients’ unique processing needs.
Choosing the right size depends on your anticipated throughput and the types of materials you plan to process. While these models excel with #1 wire like THHN, if handling lower-grade materials like tin-coat or telephone wire, expect throughput to decrease slightly.
For instance, if your operation involves aluminum-copper radiators or other materials, adjustments in throughput estimates would be necessary. Each system can be configured to accommodate various materials.
If you have any questions or need further clarification, please get in touch with us.
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