One-stop Mobile Shears Factory in China
Selecting a mobile shear (often called an "excavator-mounted shear") is a critical investment for any scrap yard or car dismantling operation. The single most important-and often misunderstood-specification is cutting force. Choosing incorrectly leads to poor performance, frequent breakdowns, and a rapid loss of return on investment. Here's how to match the machine's power to your material.
Cutting Force is the shear's primary power rating, measured in metric tons (MT) or US tons (ST). It indicates the maximum pressure the blades can apply to crush and shear material.
Key Distinction: Static Force vs. Actual Performance
Static Force (Rated/Calculated): The theoretical maximum force the hydraulic cylinders can generate when the shear is stationary. This is the headline number in brochures.
Dynamic/Effective Force: The actual force applied at the blade tips during a real cutting cycle, which is lower due to leverage, speed, and material resistance. This is what matters.
Rule of Thumb: For demanding scrap, your shear's static force should be 1.5 to 2 times the yield strength of the material you're cutting.
The shear is only as good as the excavator it's mounted on. A mismatch destroys efficiency and damages both machines.
| Shear Size & Force | Recommended Carrier Size | Target Material |
|---|---|---|
| Small (100-250 MT) | 14-25 Ton Excavator | Light structurals, rebar, light plate (<10mm), dismantling car bodies & non-structural parts. |
| Medium (250-500 MT) | 25-40 Ton Excavator | Heavy structurals (I-beams, rail), truck frames, bus bodies, thick plate (10-20mm), compressed car bales. |
| Large (500-800+ MT) | 40-70+ Ton Excavator | Heavy plate (>20mm), industrial machinery, rail car sections, massive structural steel, full car shredder feed prep. |
Critical Carrier Specs:
Hydraulic Flow (GPM/LPM) & Pressure (PSI/Bar): Must meet or exceed the shear's minimum required flow and operating pressure. Insufficient flow = slow cycle time. Insufficient pressure = weak cutting force.
Weight Class: The excavator must be heavy enough to counteract the shear's weight and reactive forces without tipping and to provide a stable cutting platform.
Force is useless without the right geometry to apply it.
Blade Design:
Wide/Flat Blades: Better for plate shearing and car dismantling, providing a stable, crushing cut.
Narrow/Pointed Blades: Better for piercing and slicing through dense structural beams and pipes.
Material: Blades made from wear-resistant, through-hardened steel last longer in abrasive scrap.
Opening Width & Depth (Jaw Geometry):
Wide Opening: Allows processing of larger, bulkier items like appliances and car bodies.
Deep Throat: Essential for shearing wide plate or getting deep into a structure.
Tip Force: Some Mobile Shears concentrate more force at the tip for piercing; others have a longer "sweet spot" for shearing. Choose based on your primary task.
Cycle Time: The time to open, close, and open the jaws. Faster cycles mean more tons processed per hour. High-flow carriers and efficient shear valve blocks improve this.
360° Continuous Rotation: A non-negotiable feature for scrap processing. It allows the operator to precisely position the shear for the optimal cutting angle without constantly repositioning the excavator, drastically improving efficiency and safety.
Matching Specs to Your Yard
| Your Main Task | Recommended Static Force | Crucial Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing loose light iron & white goods | 200-350 MT | Wide jaw opening | Handles bulky, irregular shapes efficiently. |
| Dismantling cars & light trucks | 250-400 MT | 360° rotation & pointed tips | Allows precise piercing and flipping of the carcass. |
| Shearing structural beams (I-beams, H-beams) | 400-550 MT | High tip force & narrow blades | Concentrates power to slice through the thick web and flanges. |
| Processing heavy plate & machinery | 550-800+ MT | Maximum force & deep throat | Delivers the power needed to crush and shear the densest material. |
| High-volume, mixed scrapyard work | 350-500 MT | Balanced design & fast cycle | The versatile "workhorse" that handles 80% of tasks well. |
