PRAB Metal Turnings Shredders

PRAB‘s industrial metal scrap shredder machines turn knotted, bulky metal turnings into uniform, free-flowing chips at the source. Two lines are available: the System-Integrated (SMD) shredder for automated chip processing cells and the stand-alone Horizontal Axis Shredder (HAS) for machine-side scrap reduction. Both heavy-duty metal shredder machines handle aluminum, steel, cast iron, titanium, and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals without jamming or excessive maintenance.

PRAB industrial metal shredders reduce turnings volume up to 4x, cut haul-away frequency, and prepare scrap metal for downstream wringers or briquetters that recover up to 99% of embedded coolant. When you need a high-performance metal recycling shredder built for decades of continuous-duty operation, PRAB is the industry standard.

PRAB Metal Turnings Shredders – Key Advantages:

• Volume reduction: Shred metal turnings up to 4 times at the source
• Improved safety: Enhance workplace safety by minimizing metal scrap hazards
• Storage efficiency: Save space with compact, flowable chips
• Higher scrap value: Maximize the return from your scrap metal with high-quality shredding
• Custom solutions: Available as stand-alone units or integrated with chip processing systems

Partner with PRAB, the industry leader in metal scrap shredding equipment, to streamline your operations and boost your recycling efforts. Our team of experts is ready to deliver solutions that meet your specific needs.

Two PRAB Metal Scrap Shredder Machine Options

SMD System-Integrated Industrial Metal Shredder

The SMD is PRAB‘s system-integrated industrial metal scrap shredder, designed to integrate directly into a complete chip-processing line. Its dual counter-rotating shafts rip and tear metal turnings into shovel-grade chips using a low-speed, high-torque action that generates minimal heat and noise. Six standard sizes fit any production volume:

• SMD12 — 12 in. (20 cm) |  SMD18 — 18 in. (46 cm)  |  SMD24 — 24 in. (61 cm)
• SMD30 — 30 in. (76 cm) |  SMD36 — 36 in. (91 cm)  |  SMD48 — 48 in. (122 cm)

HAS Stand-Alone Horizontal Axis Shredder

The HAS is a cost-effective, stand-alone metal shredding machine for machine-side operation. It processes ferrous and non-ferrous turnings at the source, reducing volume before scrap reaches central processing. The HAS is the right choice for small-to-medium scrap volumes or for operations that need a compact metal shredder that runs independently of a larger chip-processing system.

Heavy-Duty Metal Shredder Machine Features

• Dual counter-rotating shafts with case-hardened steel cutter discs and spacers produce a shearing, ripping, and tearing action that handles even the most tangled metal turnings.
• Low-speed, high-torque drive reduces energy costs, generates less heat than high-speed designs, and creates a quieter work environment.
• Automatic jam sensing and reversing stop the drive and reverse automatically when a jam is detected, protecting the drivetrain and eliminating manual intervention.
• Friction clutch protects drivetrain components from shock loads during processing of dense or bundled scrap.
• Abrasion-resistant components and heavy-duty drives maintain uptime in harsh continuous-production environments.
• Double-bearing housings secure shafts against flexure, extending component life under high-load conditions.
• USA-engineered and assembled, backed by PRAB’s Performantee® Guarantee with documented performance data before shipment.

Materials Handled by PRAB Industrial Metal Shredders

PRAB scrap metal shredders process a full range of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including scrap steel, aluminum, cast iron, titanium, brass, copper, and magnesium. Whether you are running a scrap steel shredder for machining turnings or an industrial metal shredder for aerospace alloy recycling, the SMD and HAS lines are engineered to handle your specific material without excessive wear or downtime. PRAB engineers will size the correct model based on your alloy type, chip geometry, and volume before any system is quoted.

Shredder Integration with Chip Processing and Coolant Recovery

PRAB industrial metal shredders are commonly paired with wringers or centrifuges in a Shredder/Wringer system that reduces scrap volume by up to 90% and recovers up to 99% of cutting fluids in a single automated step. When connected to a PRAB Guardian Coolant Recycling System, recovered fluid is returned clean to your machining operation, closing the loop on both scrap handling and coolant management costs.

A note on metal crusher machines: PRAB also manufactures horizontal axis crushers for operations producing stringy steel turnings that require a different size-reduction approach before wringing or briquetting. If you are unsure whether a scrap shredder or a crusher is the right starting point, PRAB engineers evaluate your material and recommend the optimal configuration. Read How to Select the Right Metal Chip Processing System for the complete decision framework.

Metal Scrap Shredder ROI: What to Expect

Shredding metal turnings at the source drives savings in four areas. First, volume reduction up to 4x cuts haul-away frequency and storage space requirements. Second, flowable chips prepared by a metal recycling shredder move cleanly into downstream wringers or briquetters, maximizing fluid recovery and scrap resale value. Third, improved chip handling reduces safety incidents on the shop floor. Fourth, automated jam detection and low-maintenance design lower total cost of ownership over the equipment’s service life.

See how PRAB’s industrial metal shredders performed for Ingersoll Tillage in the Ingersoll Tillage Case Study. To model the ROI for your operation, request a free materials test and PRAB will test your actual chips and provide documented volume reduction data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is an industrial metal scrap shredder machine used for?

A: An industrial metal scrap shredder transforms long, knotted metal turnings into uniform, free-flowing chips. This reduces storage volume, improves workplace safety, lowers haul-away costs, and prepares scrap for downstream wringers, briquetters, or coolant recovery systems.

Q: What metals do PRAB industrial metal shredders handle?

A: PRAB’s SMD and HAS shredders handle aluminum, steel, cast iron, titanium, copper, brass, and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals. They are built for both light and heavy-duty metal shredding across aerospace, automotive, and general machining applications.

Q: What is the difference between a metal shredder machine and a metal crusher machine?

A: Metal shredders use dual counter-rotating shafts to rip and tear tangled or coiled turnings into chips. Metal crusher machines use a different mechanism better suited to brittle or bulky scrap that needs to be broken into flowable particles. PRAB manufactures both. A PRAB engineer will evaluate your material to determine which is the right starting point for your chip processing system.

Q: Are PRAB metal scrap shredder machines available as stand-alone units?

A: Yes. The PRAB HAS (Horizontal Axis Shredder) is available as a stand-alone machine for machine-side use. The SMD line is designed for system-integrated configurations. Both can be quoted as individual units. Contact PRAB’s team to discuss the availability, sizing, and pricing of scrap metal shredder machines.

Q: How do I choose the right size industrial metal shredder?

A: PRAB engineers size industrial metal shredders based on your chip volume per shift, metal type, chip geometry, and downstream equipment configuration. PRAB’s free materials testing program tests your actual chips and provides a documented sizing recommendation before you commit to a purchase.