This is a rough estimate, but the World Business Council for Sustainable Development says more than 1 billion tires reach the end of their road life each year. With some quick breakdown, we can conclude that nearly 3 million tires need to be properly disposed of every day to prevent them from piling up in landfills.
The tire shredder is here.
Tire shredders can process hundreds of tires per hour, helping to manage such large amounts of waste. They are to tire recyclers what PVC pipes are to plumbers. Without it, nothing can get through the system to the other end. In tire recycling, shredders break down tires for reuse. Smaller components have found new life in construction, sports fields and asphalt production.
Keeping your tire shredder running properly is one of the main jobs of any tire recycling plant. However, even the best tire recycling equipment on the market, such as our range of single and dual shaft shredders, require some basic maintenance.
Here is a simple yet all-inclusive checklist for keeping your tire shredder efficient, safe, and profitable after a day of tire shredding:
1. Remove remaining tire waste
Sometimes, after the tire shredder is powered off, there will still be some semi-digested tire fragments bouncing around inside. Best practice is to remove these residues before performing any other maintenance. They prevent you from seeing loose screws and clog the machine when you restart it.
2. Check tool screws
A tool screw connects the tire chopping blade to the rotating shaft. They are one of the most likely parts to come loose since the blades are replaced regularly and are put under a lot of stress as they wear down the tires. Tightening them as needed can prevent costly downtime.
3. Maintain ventilation
Airflow promotes heat dissipation. The tire shredder motor works hard to shred rubber tires that are reinforced with steel and fiber. Allowing the motor to cool can extend its life.
4. Test clarity
Blades should be inspected frequently to determine when dulling has occurred. Dull blades can cause avoidable damage to other components and slow down tire processing.
5. Replace dull blades
Instructions on how to replace the device's blades should come from the device manufacturer. You can usually choose different blade positions depending on how fine or coarse you want the tire scrap to be produced.
6. Lubricate bearings
Almost all large machinery has bearings, and almost all bearings require regular lubrication. Lubrication may not need to be done daily, but should be done at least once a week or so. How long a bearing remains fully lubricated depends on age, bearing life, and surrounding environmental conditions.
7. Clean the area
Remove dust, stray tire scratches, old screws and other debris from around the tire shredder to ensure a safe working environment. It also helps the engine stay in good condition.
8. Secure the shredder
The stripper may vibrate while grinding the tire. Make sure the bolts holding the shredder to the floor are securely tightened to reduce energy loss from vibration and avoid the worst-case scenario of the shredder moving out of position.
9. Adjust the belt
Over time, the conveyor belts that carry the tire shreds away from the bottom of the shredder can become loose as rubber flakes rain down on them. As with changing blades, periodic adjustments are all that's needed, but regular inspections will help ensure timely maintenance. It's better to stay on top of these issues rather than playing catch-up when things go wrong.
That's it. Once all checks are in place, your tire shredder is ready for another day of hard work while you sit back and reap the rewards.
A nine-step list may seem excessive, but many of the steps above take less than 30 seconds to complete. The total time should not exceed 10 minutes. Insist on regular maintenance to reward your investment in quality equipment with profitable recycled tire production.
Do I need maintenance on my new tire shredder?
Many tire shredders work great when new. To ensure the service life of the machine, start regular maintenance as soon as the machine is put into use. This will put you or your employees on pace for performing regular inspections. If something goes wrong, you know how things should look and function.
Maintenance inspections keep tire shredder equipment operating at its maximum capacity. They will run smoother, workers will be in a safer environment, and there will be fewer stops in the tire recycling line. This increases productivity and profit potential. If profit isn't your only motivation, remember that shredder maintenance helps reduce the amount of tire waste in the environment.
