1. Project Background: From Torch Cutting to Mechanical Shearing in Korean Scrap Yards:

As a major manufacturing and steel-consuming country, South Korea continues to see steady growth in domestic scrap metal generation. Many small and mid-sized scrap yards have traditionally relied on torch cutting combined with manual sorting to process rebar bundles, structural steel, and small steel components. However, this traditional approach presents several common challenges:

• Unstable efficiency – Torch cutting productivity is heavily affected by weather conditions and operator skill, often leading to scrap backlogs during peak periods.

• High safety and environmental pressure – Open-flame cutting generates sparks, smoke, and dust, increasing safety risks and compliance pressure.

• Inconsistent scrap size – Manually cut scrap often varies in length, requiring secondary processing before furnace charging, which increases overall costs.

As Korean steel mills and electric arc furnace (EAF) operators impose stricter requirements on scrap size consistency, safety, and environmental performance, local recyclers are increasingly adopting medium-capacity scrap alligator shears to replace open-flame cutting and improve heavy scrap pre-processing efficiency.

2. Customer Profile and Processing Requirements:

The customer involved in this project is a regional scrap recycling company in South Korea, whose core business includes:

• Collecting structural steel, rebar bundles, and plate offcuts from construction demolition sites

• Supplying processed furnace-ready scrap to nearby electric arc furnace steel mills

• Handling medium and heavy scrap from machinery dismantling and steel structure removal projects

Before upgrading their equipment, the customer faced several key operational pain points:

• Low efficiency in cutting heavy scrap
  Thick rebar bundles and structural steel relied mainly on torch cutting and small shears, which could not keep up with incoming scrap volume.

• High labor intensity and safety risks
  Long hours of flame cutting and manual handling increased fatigue, injury risk, and labor management pressure.

• Unstable output size
  Scrap length varied significantly depending on manual judgment, causing delays and additional processing before furnace charging.

To address these issues, the customer sought a medium-capacity, mechanically simple, and easy-to-maintain alligator shear suitable for outdoor operation or basic shed environments.

3. Our Solution: 250-Ton Scrap Alligator Shear Configuration:

After evaluating the customer’s scrap types, yard layout, feeding method, and target throughput, a 250-ton scrap alligator shear was selected as the most cost-effective and practical solution.

Key Technical Overview (Typical Configuration):

Specifications shown are typical values; final configuration is based on actual delivery.

Design focus points:

• Balanced capacity selection – 250 tons covers the customer’s main heavy scrap categories without over-investment.

• Simple operation and maintenance – Straightforward controls and clear maintenance points allow local operators to quickly adapt.

4. Installation, Commissioning, and Customer Feedback:

After delivery to South Korea, the machine was installed on a prepared foundation. Electrical connection, hydraulic oil filling, and commissioning were completed with a combination of on-site support and remote engineering guidance.

During trial operation, the customer highlighted several improvements:

• Significant efficiency improvement
  Rebar bundles and structural steel could be processed in batches, greatly increasing output per operator and reducing scrap pile accumulation during peak periods.

• Improved safety and working environment
  Open-flame cutting positions were significantly reduced, lowering exposure to sparks, smoke, and heat. Operators reported noticeably reduced physical fatigue.

• More consistent output size
  By controlling cutting rhythm and positioning, scrap length became more uniform, reducing secondary processing before furnace charging.

The customer stated that this 250-ton alligator shear will serve as a reference model for future expansion, with similar configurations planned for other scrap yards.

5. Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Korean Scrap Recyclers:

This 250-ton scrap alligator shear project in South Korea reflects several important trends in the local recycling industry:

• A gradual shift from torch cutting and manual processing toward hydraulic mechanical pre-processing

• Increased emphasis on safety, environmental compliance, and labor efficiency

• Greater focus on scrap size standardization to meet steel mill and EAF requirements

For scrap recyclers facing similar working conditions, selecting the right shear capacity based on material type, yard layout, and throughput targets allows a 250-ton alligator shear to become a practical step toward standardized, efficient, and safer scrap pre-processing.