Metalico on Electric Machines, Grants, and Scrap
Metalico Youngstown has introduced two electric machines into their operation within recent years and has seen success with the shift from diesel to clean power.
Located in Girard, Ohio, Metalico Youngstown is a full-service scrap metal recycler that utilizes a total of six SENNEBOGENs within its operation. They have a shredder, where they shred iron sheets and cars that come in as scrap. It is driven in by a truck and separated into piles to go into the shredder.
Electric 840E Pedestal
Loading their shredder is an electric SENNEBOGEN 840E mounted onto a pedestal, which was added in 2022. It is hooked up via a 480V electric line conduit through the ground to a shutoff switch.
While they saw many benefits of going electric, the switch for this specific function just made sense. “The machine’s function to feed the shredder keeps it in one place, with no need to be mobile,” Explained Jim Smith, Metalico’s environmental health and safety for the Ohio division, “With that one being in place, it just makes sense for it to be an electric machine. You don’t have the fuel cost, wear and tear, and maintenance and upkeep of a diesel engine.”
Electric 835E Mobile Machine
The other electric machine is their mobile 835E, equipped with a cable reel and a pony motor. This machine feeds their shear, which runs 5 days a week. Similar to their 840E, it is powered by a 480V electric line, but as a cable reel.
When operating, it is only powered by this source of electricity. In order to move from plugin point to plugin point, the 835E is equipped with a pony motor on the back of the machine.
75% Grant Funding? Yes, Please!
In order to assist with the funding of their electric machines, Metalico applied for three grants through the Ohio EPA. “Each one of those grants covered roughly 75% of the cost of the new equipment, which made it a lot easier to justify a new type of equipment with newer technology,” said Jim, “the application process was very straightforward and easy all the way through.”
“Sometimes, it’s difficult to get people out of their comfort zone. People are afraid to change from things that they are comfortable with and are tried and true. Finding grants that went towards such a high percentage of the equipment cost made it a lot easier to approve the spending and try something new for us.”
Competing With Diesel Costs
When it came to weighing the cost of electricity versus fuel, the results spoke for themselves. “The diesel equipment we replaced would typically run 40 hours a week. Consuming between 8,000 and 13,000 gallons of fuel per year at normal operating hours, you are looking at 5-7 gallons per operating hour.” Explained Jim.
“Our savings in diesel fuel costs greatly exceeds the extra electricity we use to run our machines. That right there is one key incentive.”
Less Maintenance, Less Fuss
Going electric meant cutting out Diesel maintenance, which has been a positive for Metalico. TJ Rosario, tech manager of Metalico Youngstown, said one of the big reasons they pushed to get an electric machine. “It eliminates diesel maintenance and emission issues.”
“Around ¾ of maintenance is diesel maintenance, so there’s a lot less maintenance than a diesel. Another benefit is that the machines are already warmed up as soon as you get in.” Fuel times was another added bonus. “With a diesel, you have to stop to fuel. With an electric machine, you plug it in and it goes from the time it starts in the morning to the time you shut it down.”
Another aspect of maintenance is saving costs by not having to perform the maintenance required for diesel engines. “When you look at maintenance on a diesel engine, you are doing regular pm’s like oil changes every 500 hours,” said Jim Smith, “You look at the cost of the oil change, the filters, the air filters . . . the cost of those services is eliminated with an electric machine.”
“We Haven’t Looked Back”
Beyond providing electric material handlers that fit Metalico Youngstown’s needs, SENNEBOGEN ensures they are taken care of. “Hands down SENNEBOGEN is best in its class, someone will always answer your phone call and give you what you need,” said Bill Johnson, maintenance and project planner. Jim Smith added that, “We have had great support
when it comes to purchasing and maintaining. The machines are dependable and reliable, and we have had great success with them.”
“We have a lot of green in the yard,” said Bill Johnson, “Once we went SENNEBOGEN we haven’t looked back.”
About SENNEBOGEN
SENNEBOGEN has been a leading name in the global material handling industry for over 65 years. Based in Stanley, North Carolina, within the greater Charlotte region, SENNEBOGEN LLC offers a complete range of purpose-built machines to suit virtually any material handling application. Established in America in the year 2000, SENNEBOGEN LLC has quickly become a leading provider of specialized equipment solutions for recycling and scrap metal yards, demolition, barge and port operations, log-handling, transfer stations, waste facilities and the tree care industry from coast to coast. A growing network of distributors supports SENNEBOGEN LLC sales and service across the Americas, ensuring the highest standard of professional machine support and parts availability.
For more information on the full line of SENNEBOGEN green line material handlers, contact:
SENNEBOGEN LLC
1957 Sennebogen Trail
Stanley, NC 28164
Tel: (704) 347-4910 or fax (704) 347-8894
E-mail: sales@sennebogenllc.com
