Market Background

Guatemala’s steel industry and mill-side scrap handling are becoming more efficiency-driven as competition tightens and logistics costs stay high. Steel mills increasingly want scrap that is easier to store, safer to handle, and faster to feed into upstream preparation. Loose light scrap and thin offcuts can quickly create two problems: they consume yard space and they slow down loading/charging because material is irregular and requires repeated repositioning. In addition, when inbound scrap volumes spike, mills often face congestion at the “receive → stage → prepare” step, which delays dispatch and disrupts production rhythm. As a result, more steel operations are upgrading toward mechanized, standardized baling—not just for density, but for stable daily workflow and predictable output.

Customer & Application Scenario

A Guatemala-based steel mill needed a dedicated station to process light mixed steel scrap and thin-gauge offcuts generated from local collection and industrial sources. Their biggest operational pain points were typical for mill-side yards:

• Bulky loose scrap stockpiles spreading into lanes and staging areas

• High re-handling time (pick–move–reposition) that reduced crane/grab efficiency

• Inconsistent output form, making stacking, internal transport, and feeding less predictable

• Dispatch rhythm instability during peak inbound days when scrap piled up faster than it could be organized

The customer wanted one integrated solution that could compress scrap into consistent bales and keep daily operations steady with minimal operator variability.

Our Solution

To match the mill’s workflow, Jiangsu Wan Shida Hydraulic Machinery Co., Ltd. supplied 1 unit of the Y83D-3000C scrap metal baler with fixed grab, operating with PLC automatic control. The core idea was to create a repeatable loop that fits a steel mill environment: grab-feed → compress → bale-out → stack → move. Mechanized loading and unloading via the grab reduces manual interference and helps keep the baling rhythm consistent across shifts, while the 3-meter chamber length supports efficient feeding of light scrap and offcuts.

Summary (Key Technical Parameters Included)

Below are the key specs used for selection, layout planning, and throughput expectations:

Customer Feedback (Early Operation)

After commissioning, the customer reported improvements that were immediately visible on the yard floor:

1. Cleaner yard order: loose scrap piles reduced faster once material was regularly converted into bales.

2. Less re-handling: grab-assisted feeding and predictable bale discharge reduced repeated repositioning.

3. More consistent internal movement: standardized bale sections made stacking and staging more organized and safer.

4. More stable daily rhythm: with ~60-second cycles (excluding handling), the team could plan staging and transport more confidently during peak intake.

Key Takeaway

This Guatemala steel mill project shows why a 3-meter chamber baler with grab feeding and PLC automation is a practical upgrade for light scrap preparation. With a 3000 × 1620 × 620 mm open press room, 400 × 400 mm bale section, ≤3 mm scrap thickness capability, and 5–7 t/h output range, the Y83D-3000C helps mills replace chaotic loose-scrap handling with a more repeatable “receive → bale → stack → move” workflow—supporting better yard flow, safer staging, and more predictable daily operations.