Tire Shredders: Types and Benefits

Chapter 1: What is a Tire Shredder?

Tire shredders are specialized machines in the recycling industry, designed to diminish the volume of tires by employing high-torque shredding mechanisms. Available in various models, they are capable of processing substantial volumes of tires of diverse sizes. By cutting, slicing, and crushing end-of-life tires (ELTs), these shredders transform them into rubber chips. Tire shredding serves as an essential technique for recycling, reprocessing, and transforming waste tires into valuable products.

Goto Optima to know more.

Although applying new treads to tires is possible, shredding them simplifies repurposing and recycling efforts. Tires are commonly shredded due to their weather-resistant nature and slow breakdown, making them ideal for numerous recycling applications. A significant part of a tire is hollow, meaning landfilling is inefficient and expensive. Shredding enhances disposal efficiency and environmental responsibility.

To optimize shredding outcomes and safeguard the shredder, tires often undergo preliminary preparation. A vital component of this preparation involves removing the bead, a thick rubber or steel band located on the tire's inner edge. When tires are cut open, they form a U shape, with beads situated at the U's tips.

Chapter 2: What is the Tire Shredding Process?

Tire shredding is a critical step in tire recycling and waste management, requiring robust, heavy-duty industrial shredders designed to handle significant torque and durable materials due to the toughness and thickness of tires. Industrial tire shredders are engineered to process passenger vehicle tires, large truck tires, OTR (off-the-road) tires, earthmover tires, and specialty mining equipment tires. When investing in a tire shredding system, it is vital to choose shredding machinery capable of efficiently reducing tire volumes while ensuring operational reliability and safety.

Tire Collection

The initial step in the tire recycling process is the proper collection and transportation of scrap tires for processing. Responsible tire disposal is crucial for environmental sustainability, as discarded tires in landfills can pose fire hazards and breeding grounds for pests. It is illegal to dispose of tires in general waste streams, making specialized tire recycling facilities essential. Tire dealers, auto service centers, and collection sites often gather large volumes of end-of-life tires (ELTs), arranging regular pick-ups with licensed tire recycling and processing companies specializing in tire-derived products.

Removing the Tire Beads

Tire bead removal is a mechanized, pre-shredding process using a specialized bead removal machine. This operation is essential, as tire beads—steel-reinforced rings—can damage shredders if not removed. In this process, the tire is placed on the machine and rotated against a precision cutter that slices the embedded beads from both sidewalls. The extracted steel beads are valuable recyclables, often processed further for steel recycling or reuse in manufacturing. Efficient bead removal also extends the service life of tire shredding equipment and facilitates cleaner, more efficient material separation in subsequent phases.

Shredding

The shredding stage is where tire recycling truly begins, using state-of-the-art tire shredders or granulators to cut scrap tires into uniform rubber strips, chips, or granules. This transformation is essential for producing tire-derived fuel (TDF), crumb rubber, and input materials for rubberized asphalt, playground surfaces, and molded products. Tire shredding is accomplished through either mechanical (ambient) or cryogenic techniques, each with distinct advantages for downstream processing and material recovery.

• Mechanical Shredding – Mechanical shredding utilizes power-driven industrial shredders or granulators outfitted with rotating knives to break down ELTs into smaller chips. The process usually begins with a primary shredder that reduces tire size, followed by secondary granulation stages that further cut the rubber while systematically extracting reinforcing fibers and steel wire. As the tires pass through successive grinders, the rubber is converted into crumb rubber—a versatile, recycled material used in road construction, sports surfaces, landscaping, and rubber goods manufacturing.

  Mechanical shredders can process whole tires, delivering rubber in sizes ranging from coarse chips to finely graded crumb rubber (10 to 20 mesh, or the size of sand particles). For manufacturers and municipal recycling centers, the ability to tailor output particle size increases the value of recycled material in commercial applications.

  Tires are composed of complex materials: natural and synthetic rubber, steel belts, textile fibers, and chemical additives. Modern tire shredding machines are equipped with separation technologies, including screens and air classifiers, to efficiently recover and recycle these components. Ambient grinding—grinding performed at or near room temperature—enhances the efficiency of rubber and steel separation, producing finer crumb rubber and maximizing resource recovery.

  
  
• Cryogenic Shredding – Cryogenic shredding uses ultra-low temperatures, achieved with liquid nitrogen, to freeze ELTs to -120°C (-184°F). At these extreme temperatures, tire rubber becomes brittle, enabling it to fracture cleanly under impact during crushing and grinding. This technique dramatically reduces energy consumption and enhances the efficiency of steel and fiber removal, producing clean, contaminant-free crumb rubber and ultra-fine rubber powder suited for high-value applications.

  The cryogenic process is favored for its ability to yield very fine rubber granules while minimizing emissions and surface residue. Some advanced tire processing plants combine cryogenic and mechanical methods to optimize material recovery. Cryogenic shredding is also considered a devulcanization process—breaking down the strong sulfur bonds in vulcanized rubber to make it suitable for remanufacturing into new products such as rubber mats, roofing membranes, and automotive components.

  While cryogenic shredding is energy-efficient and produces high-purity outputs, its adoption is sometimes limited by the cost of refrigerants like liquid nitrogen. However, for specialized recycling and upcycling operations, the benefits in quality and process cleanliness often justify the investment. This method is increasingly gaining attention as sustainable recycling and circular economy goals drive innovation in the tire recycling industry.

Sorting

Following shredding, an advanced sorting system is utilized to separate recovered materials based on composition. Ferrous steel is extracted using industrial magnets and electromagnetic separators, efficiently pulling metal from the shredded rubber stream. This steel can be recycled for use in new steel products, minimizing landfill waste.

Non-metallic fibers present in the tire (usually polyester, nylon, or rayon) are not affected by magnets and are instead separated by density, size, and weight through high-capacity processing equipment. Technologies such as air classifiers, scalping screens, and vacuum gravity separators “fluff” the fibers and facilitate their efficient extraction. For maximum material purity, vacuum gravity separators differentiate fibers from crumb rubber by leveraging the interplay of density and particle size, resulting in a high-quality, contaminant-free crumb rubber product suitable for commercial and municipal use.

Proper material sorting and classification are vital to produce market-ready tire-derived materials, support regulatory compliance, and enhance the value chain in tire recycling operations. Advanced tire processing lines can recover up to 99% of tire material for reuse, further reducing environmental impact.

Screening

Screening is the final stage of material preparation in the tire shredding and recycling process. It ensures that crumb rubber and rubber granules are free from steel and fiber contaminants, meeting strict industry standards for use in construction, sports surfacing, playground safety tiles, and rubberized asphalt manufacturing. Screening involves size classification, quality control, and contaminant removal through advanced screening systems engineered for high throughput and precision.

Due to the unique flowability and elasticity of crumb rubber, specialized screening equipment is often necessary. Tumbler screening creates multidirectional motion that separates rubber particles by size, efficiently classifying material for different end uses. Vibratory removal screens further separate any remnant fiber fluff, aided by strategically positioned vacuum systems along the production line. These screening solutions maximize product quality and reduce waste in commercial recycling operations.

After screening, crumb rubber undergoes thorough washing using water and cleaning agents to eliminate surface residues, dust, and any lingering contaminants. This cleaning stage is essential for product certification, ensuring that recycled rubber complies with environmental regulations and customer requirements in diverse end-use industries. Clean, high-quality crumb rubber is then ready for packaging and distribution to manufacturers and construction material suppliers.

Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis is an advanced thermal decomposition technology increasingly used in tire recycling plants to transform end-of-life tires into valuable alternative fuels and industrial raw materials. Executed in oxygen-free reactors at temperatures between 400°C and 800°C, the process converts scrap rubber into pyrolysis oil, carbon black, steel, and a range of synthetic gases. Tire pyrolysis has gained favor in the energy industry and chemical manufacturing due to its ability to recover high-value resources from waste tires, supporting the circular economy and sustainable resource utilization.

In the pyrolysis reactor, the rubber's hydrocarbon chains decompose, releasing a spectrum of products including solid char (carbon black), liquid hydrocarbons (synthetic diesel, naphtha), and non-condensable gases (such as hydrogen, methane, ethylene, propane, and butene). Recoverable carbon black and steel are sold as valuable industrial materials for pigment production, metal smelting, and battery manufacturing, while pyrolysis oil is used as a substitute for fuel oil or a feedstock in chemical processing plants. By utilizing pyrolysis as part of an integrated tire recycling process, facilities can increase revenue streams, reduce landfill burdens, and contribute to global emissions reduction targets.

Tire shredding and recycling is an evolving industry powered by innovative technology, stringent environmental regulations, and a growing global focus on resource conservation. By understanding each step of the tire shredding process—from collection and bead removal, through shredding, sorting, screening, and advanced methods like pyrolysis—businesses and municipalities can make informed decisions about tire recycling solutions, equipment investment, and the adoption of best practices that maximize recovery rates and minimize waste.

Chapter 3: What are the different types of tire shredders and their uses?

Tire shredders are available in various sizes, configurations, and shredding methods, each designed to meet specific industry demands within the tire recycling process. Selecting the right type of industrial tire shredder depends on several factors, including the recycling facility’s operational requirements, the scale of waste tire processing, and desired end-product specifications. For high-volume tire recycling plants or commercial waste management operations, robust equipment is essential to ensure efficient, continuous processing of scrap tires, minimizing environmental impact while maximizing resource recovery.

Tire shredders are essential in the rubber and tire recycling industry, playing a crucial role in the safe, efficient, and eco-friendly processing and disposal of used tires. By reducing bulky end-of-life tires (ELTs) into manageable sizes, these machines support sustainable waste management practices, reduce landfill waste, and enable further rubber reclamation for repurposed products.

Dual Shaft Shredder

A dual shaft tire shredder features two interlocking shafts equipped with strong cutting blades that shred tires with high efficiency. The size of the shredded rubber is determined by the thickness of the blades and the number of teeth on them—thinner blades yield smaller rubber chips, while more teeth produce shorter shredded pieces. Thanks to their low-speed, high-torque operation, these tire shredders generate minimal heat and dust, making them ideal for demanding recycling environments requiring noise reduction and low emissions. The dual-shaft design also provides excellent anti-jamming capabilities, ensuring smooth, continuous tire processing and reducing equipment downtime in large-scale recycling operations.

Chip Shredder

Chipping tire shredders utilize advanced multi-stack and double-stack knife systems to generate uniform, clean-cut tire chips suitable for further processing. The knives in these shredders are designed for periodic sharpening, rotation, and multi-use, delivering a cost-effective solution for whole tire processing and minimizing blade replacement expenses. A major advantage of chipping tire shredders is their easy-access blade replacement feature in both double and multi-stack knife configurations, optimizing maintenance schedules and reducing labor costs. As a result, chip shredders are commonly used in facilities focused on the production of rubber chips for playground mulch, landfill cover, or alternative fuel applications.

Secondary Tire Shredders

Secondary tire shredders are engineered to further process pre-shredded tire material into smaller chips, typically less than one inch (2.54 cm) in size. This critical stage in tire recycling produces uniform, high-quality rubber fragments required for applications such as crumb rubber manufacturing or rubberized asphalt production. During secondary shredding, reinforcing steel wires embedded within ELTs are efficiently separated from the rubber, ensuring clean material streams and enabling the recycling of steel components. By producing consistently sized tire chips, secondary shredders help enhance the overall throughput and quality of downstream recycling processes.

Granulating Tire Shredder

A rubber granulator, also known as a granulating tire shredder, is the third essential step in the tire shredding process, transforming wire-free tire chunks into finely ground rubber particles—often referred to as crumb rubber. These machines use highly refined knives to reduce pre-processed rubber to sizes ranging from 0.039 to 0.2 inches (1 mm to 5 mm), preparing the material for further manufacturing applications such as rubber flooring, playground surfaces, sports infill, and new tire production. Granulators are also equipped with advanced separation technologies, such as cyclonic blowers, screening systems, and filter bags, to remove any remaining textile fibers. With varying hopper capacities and throughput rates (often from two to nine tons per hour), granulating tire shredders are vital for high-capacity tire recycling lines focused on producing high-value recycled rubber products.

Additionally, the crumb rubber produced by granulators serves an expanding market for sustainable raw materials, providing eco-friendly alternatives for manufacturers seeking to reduce reliance on virgin rubber and support green initiatives throughout the supply chain.

Portable Tire Shredder

Portable tire shredders are mobile machines designed for on-site tire recycling and waste reduction. These highly versatile shredders are available in configurations mounted on four wheels or semi-trucks, making them suitable for temporary deployments where transporting large volumes of waste tires to a central facility is impractical. Mobile tire shredders allow municipalities, scrap yard operators, and clean-up crews to process ELTs directly at collection sites, minimizing transportation costs and reducing carbon emissions. Despite being compact, portable tire shredders deliver performance on par with stationary industrial shredders, sharing core components such as robust blades, durable grinding shafts, and safety controls. These machines enable flexible, scalable recycling for remote locations and smaller enterprises seeking entry into the tire recycling business.

Ultrasonic Tire Shredding

Ultrasonic tire shredding utilizes high-frequency vibrations to facilitate the cutting and size reduction of rubber tires, decreasing material resistance and friction during processing. The technology operates with a cutting edge that vibrates at 20,000 times per second, greatly enhancing cutting efficiency, reducing operational heat, and minimizing rubber dust production. A unique benefit of ultrasonic shredders is their ability to partially devulcanize rubber by breaking sulfur and carbon-sulfur molecular bonds, producing rubber melt that can be repurposed for manufacturing new tires or advanced rubber composites. This non-contact, energy-efficient shredding method lowers mechanical wear on equipment, reduces maintenance requirements, and supports environmentally conscious recycling programs. In comparison to traditional shredding techniques, ultrasonic tire shredders offer a cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable solution for recycling facilities aiming for zero-waste tire management and material circularity.

Choosing the Right Tire Shredder for Your Recycling Application

The optimal tire shredder for a specific recycling application depends on end-product requirements, facility throughput goals, input material type (whole tire, pre-shredded, or rubber chips), volume, regulatory standards, and available operational budget. Key considerations include:

• Feed Capacity: Determine whether the shredder can handle anticipated input volumes of car, truck, or OTR (off-the-road) tires.
• Output Size: Assess whether you need coarse tire chips, steel-free crumbs, or fine granules for downstream uses.
• Flexibility: Consider machines that can handle mixed waste streams (including rubber, steel, and textiles).
• Energy Efficiency: Evaluate drive types, torque ratings, and maintenance requirements for cost-effective operations.
• Environmental Compliance: Select shredders designed to meet air quality, noise, and dust control regulations.

Understanding these factors helps tire recycling facilities and waste management companies select the most effective and sustainable shredding technology. With the growth of circular economy initiatives and green manufacturing, investing in advanced tire shredders is an essential strategy for those seeking to maximize resource recovery and minimize environmental impact in the tire recycling industry.

Chapter 4: What are the components of a tire shredder?

Tire shredders are complex heavy-duty pieces of equipment capable of producing high torque in the shafts of the shredder. Although shredders have the single function of changing whole tires into tiny fragments, their engineering and design is carefully planned to ensure efficiency and protection for shredder operators.

The components of a tire shredder are similar to those found in other shredding equipment but are designed with added strength, durability, and toughness needed for processing tires. A basic tire shredder consists of a rotor, cutting blades, housing, motor, transmission system, power supply, and controls.

Blades

The cutting blades are the most crucial component of a shredder, particularly for tire shredders, as they are responsible for breaking down tires into small pieces. While various shredders are designed for materials like paper, plastics, and metals, tire shredders are specifically engineered to handle the toughness of tires. To achieve optimal performance, these shredders require high-quality blades capable of efficiently tearing tires apart.

Double shaft tire shredder blades are the most commonly used type and must be installed correctly to ensure effective cutting and long-term durability. Proper installation is crucial for optimal performance and blade lifespan. These blades are spiral-mounted with a spacer sleeve to keep them separated in the middle. Their design is such that the blades do not collide during the shredding process. Typically made from tool steel, these blades are specifically designed to handle the toughness of rubber.

Motors

The motor powers the shredder blades, driving them to cut through tires. Tire shredders use either electrical or hydraulic motors, depending on the shredder's size and capacity. These motors must be exceptionally powerful to handle the combined strength of fabric, rubber, and metal within the tires.

For high-capacity shredders, the motor operates at low speed and high torque, enabling it to process up to 40 tons of tires per hour. Some models are equipped with dual motors to enhance efficiency and increase shredding force. Shredder motors feature a range of reduced drive gear ratios and may include single or dual electric motors. The key is ensuring the motor can meet the intense demands of tire shredding efficiently while being durable, robust, and long-lasting.

Feed Hopper

Tires for a tire shredder are loaded into the shredder through the feed hopper. Since the majority of shredders are designed for high capacity and volume, the hopper is configured to meet the demand and can be connected to a conveyor belt or hydraulic ram to control and move the volume of tires. The need for high capacity requires that feed hoppers be exceptionally sturdy and strong.

Control System

The control system manages the operation of a tire shredder and monitors its performance. Often integrated into automated shredding setups, it regulates the feed rate in relation to the main drive motor and includes safety interlocks for protection. PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) systems typically feature power on/off controls, overload protection, and reverse controls, along with input and output monitoring to ensure smooth and safe operation.

High-performance shredder control systems feature advanced controls such as lighted buttons, keyed power switches, lockable disconnects, and hour meters. They also include programmable functions like knife reversal for overloads. These systems enhance both the ease of operation and safety of tire shredders, offering exceptional control over the shredding process while being user-friendly and efficient.

Rotor

The rotor is a crucial component of a tire shredder, driving tires into the cutting zone between the blades. Mounted on the rotor are cutting knives, which are secured to discs. While single-rotor shredders exist, tire shredders typically feature two to four rotors with blades. Operating at 750 revolutions per minute, the rotor is protected by coifs and end disks, which are further shielded by protective caps or hard facings to ensure durability and efficiency in the shredding process.

Additional Tire Shredder Features

While standard tire shredders can be installed as complete units, there are various features that can be added to enhance their efficiency and performance. Each manufacturer offers a range of addons designed to improve the shredder's functionality and output. These enhancements help optimize the shredding process and increase overall effectiveness.

• Roller Screen – The roller screen can be used to separate rubber materials. As the output moves along the rollers of the roller screen, rubber material of the correct size falls through the gaps in the screen while material of the wrong size moves along the rollers back to a conveyor belt to be sent back through the shredder. It is a highly efficient screening method that is an automated part of the shredding process.
• Belt Conveyor – Belt conveyors can be a common part of the tire shredding process and is found in the majority of tire shredding systems. Tires are placed on the conveyor and moved along to the hopper. The belt of the conveyor can be adjusted by the control system to be in accordance with shredding rate.

Leading Manufacturers and Suppliers

Chapter 5: What types of tires can be shredded by a tire shredder?

Tires are composed of various materials designed to enhance their strength and durability. While early vehicle tires were primarily made of rubber, modern tires now incorporate additional materials to extend their lifespan and improve their toughness.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Tire Recycling Machines Suppliers.

Tires are primarily made from synthetic rubber, natural rubber, steel, various fibers, and chemicals.

• Rubber – Different forms of rubber are used to manufacture tires to provide elasticity, durability, and strength. The different types of tire materials determine the life of a tire and the vehicles it can be used on.
  • Natural Rubber – Natural rubber tires are made from latex from rubber trees and provide tear, fatigue, and tear resistance.
  • Synthetic Rubber – Synthetic rubber tires are made from butadiene and styrene butadiene rubber polymers, which are used in combination with natural rubber. The physical and chemical properties of the polymers determine the quality of the tire and its performance.
• Steel – Steel is added to tires to improve the strength and structure of tires and takes the form of wires, beads, or belts, which gives tires better stability and rigidity. The beads in tires anchor the tire and lock it onto the wheels.
• Fibers – The fiber in tires consists of various forms of textiles, such as nylon or polyester. As with steel, fibers give tires additional strength and load bearing abilities. They are included in tires as cords and include polyester cords, rayon cords, nylon cords, and aramid cords. Aside from their providing dimensional stability, fiber cords help tires keep their shape, add endurance characteristics, and performance characteristics.
• Chemicals – Chemicals play a key role in the manufacture of tires and include vulcanizing agents, plasticizers, fillers, antioxidants, and adhesion promoters. Fillers include carbon black and silica, which improve tear and tensile strength and abrasion. Antioxidants protect tires from breaking down due to the effects of temperature and exposure to oxygen while antiozonants offer protection from the effects of ozone. Curing chemicals include sulfur and zinc oxides that are an important part of transforming rubber into solid material during vulcanization. The curing agents speed up vulcanization and have an impact on the length and number of crosslinks.

Rubber, steel, fibers, and chemicals significantly impact the tire shredding process. To produce usable crumb rubber for manufacturing, the steel and fibers must be separated from the rubber.

Types of Tires

The term tire is a generic term that covers a wide range of tires from ones for family vehicles to ones for construction equipment, loaders, fork lifts, and many other types of heavy equipment including different sizes of trucks.

Farm Equipment Tires

Farm equipment tires present a unique challenge in tire shredding due to their specific construction. These tires are classified based on their width and diameter ratio, with the width measured from sidewall to sidewall and the diameter corresponding to the rim size. There are two primary types of farm tires: bias and radial, which refer to the tire's construction method. Additionally, farm tires often feature lugs integrated into the tread design to enhance traction, making them more complex to shred.

Passenger Tires

Common passenger tires are generally categorized into three groups: summer tires, winter tires, and all-season tires. Summer tires are engineered to perform optimally in warm weather, offering strong traction on both dry and wet roads. Winter tires are built to handle cold temperatures and provide excellent grip on icy or snowy surfaces. All-season tires are designed to deliver reliable performance across a wide range of weather conditions.

Additional types of passenger tires include those for recreational vehicles like off-road all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and sports cars. Off-road tires are built to be durable and tough, suitable for challenging terrains such as dirt roads, sand, and rocky surfaces. While they aren't as robust as farm tires, they share some similar characteristics. Sports car tires, on the other hand, are specifically designed for pavement use, offering exceptional grip and high performance for enhanced driving experiences.

Truck Tires

Truck tires vary significantly based on the size and capacity of the truck. Tires for pickup trucks, vans, and mobile homes are quite similar to passenger tires. However, tires for semis, mining trucks, and excavation trucks are much more durable, featuring additional reinforcements to enhance their strength and extend their lifespan.

Shredding truck tires presents a unique challenge due to their inner liner, which is significantly thicker and contains a high halobutyl content to prevent pressurized air from entering the inner chamber and causing degradation. Additionally, truck tires feature much more tread than passenger tires, which is thicker and contributes to the tire's overall strength. To extend their lifespan, heavy-duty truck tires often undergo a process called retreading, where the original worn tread is removed and replaced with new tread. While this process saves on costs, it also increases the difficulty of shredding these tires.

Truck tires contain more steel reinforcement for added durability and protection. The steel cord in truck tires is 8% denser than that in passenger tires, providing additional strength. Additionally, steel ply is incorporated to enhance load-bearing capacity and offer puncture resistance, making truck tires more robust and resilient.

Earthmover Tires

Earthmover tires, unlike passenger and truck tires, are so large that they are measured in feet or meters rather than inches, often standing as tall or taller than a person. These tires come in various sizes to accommodate the heavy equipment they support and feature rugged casings made with cut-resistant compounds and deep treads for enhanced durability and performance.

The primary challenge in shredding earthmover tires lies in their massive size, which demands the use of long rotors, heavy-duty blades, and a hopper large enough to accommodate these enormous tires. Before being placed in the tire shredder, the tires must first be debeaded to remove the steel beading. Due to their size and weight, earthmover tires are typically fed into the shredder using a forklift or other heavy machinery capable of lifting them.

Mining Tires

Mining tires, classified as off-the-road (OTR) tires, are engineered to withstand harsh conditions. Unlike standard tires, they are constructed with more durable rubber compounds and advanced manufacturing techniques to handle rugged terrain. A key feature of OTR and mining tires is the increased use of steel in their construction, combined with tougher rubber formulations, making them highly resistant to shredding and wear.

The additional steel in OTR tires can quickly dull or seize shredding equipment, necessitating that these tires be sent to specialized recycling facilities. Mining tires, which can be several meters or feet in diameter and weigh several tons, undergo a preliminary size reduction process before being shredded. Once reduced in size, the pieces are forwarded to shredding plants for further processing.

Chapter 6: What specific features should be considered when selecting top tire shredders for processing large and rugged tires?

PD Portable Shredder from BCA Industries

The PD is a high-torque shear shredder that utilizes solid-state electronics for efficient operation. It is designed for easy transport and can be moved with a one-ton pickup truck. The shredder features a straightforward mechanism for safely and easily replacing used shredder heads with new ones. Paired with the PDIO feeder, which rapidly introduces tires into the shredder, the PD is capable of handling automotive tires, light-duty truck tires, and semi-truck treads with the sidewalls removed.

STQ-100 from Shred – Tech

The STQ-100 shredder offers a throughput of up to 5,055 lbs. (2,293 kg) per hour and features an infeed size of 41 inches by 59 inches (1 m by 1.5 m). Its cutting chamber is triple-sealed with abrasion-resistant components and high cutting force knives, reducing noise and vibrations. The design facilitates easy maintenance and repair, with robust bulkhead walls and labyrinth barriers protecting bearings and seals. The heavy-duty shredding knives enable the STQ-100 to maintain high-capacity operation.

Green Giant from ECOGreen

The Green Giant is a two-shaft shredder optimized for rubber with low operating and maintenance costs. It processes up to 30 tons (27 t) per hour, producing outputs ranging from 2 inches to 6 inches (5 cm to 15 cm). Powered by two electric motors, it features blade and knife-filled rotors. The shredder includes easily replaceable knife inserts with six cutting edges each, offering an estimated wear life of 2,500 tons per edge. It can handle whole tires up to 48 inches (1,220 mm), debeaded chopped mining tires, and debeaded OTR rough shreds.

HT 250 Hybrid Primary Shredder from CM Shredders

TThe HT 250 Hybrid Primary Shredder, the largest model from CM Shredders, excels with a processing capacity of 30 tons per hour. It features high throughput, substantial torque, and knives that are both replaceable and resharpenable. As a primary shredder, it efficiently handles large volumes of tires at high speeds. The knives are bolted directly to a hardened steel rotor, which is easily removable or replaceable. Powered by a 480 V, 3-phase, 60 Hz power source with twin 125 hp drives, the HT 250 is equipped with cameras and sensors that interface with the shredder and conveyance system, allowing operators to monitor and manage the shredding process effectively.

Saturn® Grizzly Super 80

The Grizzly is a medium-speed grinder designed for efficient steel and rubber separation during the grinding process. It features a single rotor for size reduction and an adjustable screen for flexible final product sizing. By producing smaller, consistent rubber sizes, the Grizzly enhances the performance of downstream equipment and allows for the use of the ground rubber in extrusion or molding. It can process various tire types, including car, truck, agricultural, OTR, and mining tires.

Chapter 7: What are some common uses for rubber produced from tire shredders?

Shredded tire rubber is now a valuable resource with various applications in construction, road maintenance, and playground surfaces. Environmental concerns, sustainability efforts, and eco-friendly programs have driven the development of numerous strategies for utilizing this recycled material.

Gravel Substitute

Shredded rubber serves as an alternative to gravel in drainage ditches and highway embankments. The small tire chips help limit frost penetration and are three times lighter than gravel, which reduces labor, equipment, and time costs.

Crumb Rubber

Crumb rubber is utilized in various applications, including the production of asphalt, playground surfaces, mats, and vehicle mud guards. It is also sold as feedstock for chemical devulcanization and the creation of rubber-containing products. In the automotive industry, crumb rubber is used to manufacture bumpers, floor mats, and fender guards.

Energy Production

The pyrolysis process converts shredded rubber into energy, producing oil and gas for heating and electricity generation. This thermal decomposition method uses high temperatures to break down the long-chain molecules in the rubber.

Landfill

Shredded tires are utilized as liners and covers for landfills, providing thermal insulation between primary and secondary liners to reduce the temperature of waste material. Additionally, this material serves as a cost-effective landscaping tool for landfills.

Wastewater Treatment Filters

Shredded tire chips can be cut to uniform sizes for use as filters in wastewater treatment and wetlands. Their easy shapeability and lower porosity compared to organic materials make them a more effective filtering medium.

Garden Mulch

Shredded tires are used as garden mulch because of their durability and longevity. Unlike wood mulch, shredded tire chips maintain their appearance over time, do not wash away during rainstorms, and do not decompose. Additionally, they are resistant to pests and insects.

Chapter 8: What factors should be considered when purchasing a tire shredder?

The primary goal of tire shredders is to minimize landfill waste and extend the lifespan of valuable rubber, contributing to efforts to reduce pollution and protect the environment. However, despite their ecological benefits, selecting the right tire shredder requires careful consideration to ensure it meets the specific needs of its intended use.

• Suitability – Tire shredders are chosen for the tires they will be shredding. An OTR shredder is not necessary for shredding passenger car tires while a passenger car tire shredder could never shred OTR tires.
• Feed System – Conveyor belt systems are an ideal addition to passenger and pickup truck tire shredding. They increase the efficiency of the operation and the amount of hourly tonnage. Conveyor belt systems are not designed to handle OTR tires since the tires are too large for the mechanism.
• Rate of Shredding – The tonnage of tires that can be shredded per hour directly relates to the profitability of the shredding operation. Typical shredding per hour is between 30 tons and 50 tons, which are rates for passenger tires and small truck tires. The rate for OTR tires varies according to the type of equipment.
• Motor – Top end tire shredders have very rugged, tough, and durable motors capable of meeting the demands of the shredding process. Shredders should be set up where there is ventilation to keep the motor from overheating and should have a dependable sturdy motor.
• Type of Shredder – There are several versions of shredders on the market, not all of which are capable of shredding tires. A shredder may be strong, durable, and robust but not be capable of shredding tires, which requires a very strong structure. If the goal is to shred tires, the shredder that is purchased must be one designed to shred tires. Shredders that are not for shredding tires will become clogged, backed up, and jammed.

Conclusion

• Tire shredders are types of recycling equipment that are used to reduce the volume of tires to scrap using high torque shredding systems. The various types of tire shredders are capable of handling large loads of tires of different sizes
• The process of tire shredding necessitates the use of a great deal of torque due to the toughness and thickness of tires. This is especially true in regard to the shredding of large truck tires, earth mover tires, and mining equipment tires.
• The type of tire shredder is influenced by the volume of shredding where some operations have extremely high volume and require robust and large equipment.
• Tire shredders are complex heavy-duty pieces of equipment capable of producing high torque in the shafts of the shredder. Although shredders have the one function of changing whole tires into tiny fragments, their engineering and design is carefully planned to ensure efficiency and protection for shredder operators.
• Tires are made of several materials to improve their strength and durability. Although the original tires for vehicles were made of rubber, over the years the composition of tires has gradually changed to include other materials to increase the longevity of the tires and make them stronger and tougher.

Tire recycling machines are specialized equipment designed to process old and worn-out tires into reusable materials. As the world grapples with increasing waste and environmental concerns, tire recycling machines offer an effective solution to manage tire waste sustainably. This article will explore the functions, types, and benefits of tire recycling machines.

Functions of a Tire Recycling Machine

Tire recycling machines serve several critical functions in the recycling process. Their primary role is to break down whole tires into smaller, manageable pieces that can be further processed or repurposed.

Shredding: The initial step in tire recycling involves shredding the tires into smaller pieces. Shredders use rotating blades to cut through the rubber, reducing the tires into chunks or strips. This makes handling and further processing easier.

Grinding: After shredding, the tire pieces are ground into finer particles. Grinders and granulators break down the shredded rubber into granules or powder, which can be used in various applications, such as asphalt or playground surfaces.

Steel Separation: Tires contain steel wires for reinforcement. Tire recycling machines include magnetic separators to extract these steel components, ensuring the rubber is free from metal contaminants.

Fiber Separation: Alongside steel, tires also have fibers that need to be removed. Fiber separators and classifiers are used to isolate these materials, leaving clean rubber particles.

Types of Tire Recycling Machines

Several types of tire recycling machines are used in the industry, each designed for specific stages of the recycling process.

Primary Shredders: These machines perform the first stage of shredding, cutting whole tires into manageable pieces. They are robust and capable of handling large volumes of tires efficiently.

Secondary Shredders: After primary shredding, secondary shredders further reduce the size of tire pieces. They are equipped with finer blades to achieve smaller, more uniform particles.

Granulators: Granulators grind the shredded rubber into even finer granules. These machines are essential for producing rubber powder or granules used in various recycled products.

Magnetic Separators: Used to remove steel wires from the shredded rubber, magnetic separators ensure the final product is free from metal contaminants.

Fiber Separators: These machines remove fibers from the rubber, ensuring a clean end product. Fiber separation is crucial for producing high-quality recycled rubber.

Benefits of Tire Recycling Machines

The use of tire recycling machines offers numerous advantages for both the environment and the economy.

Waste Reduction: Tire recycling machines significantly reduce the volume of waste tires, preventing them from ending up in landfills. This helps mitigate environmental pollution and conserves landfill space.

Resource Conservation: Recycling tires conserves natural resources by repurposing used rubber. The recycled rubber can be used in various applications, reducing the need for virgin materials.

Economic Benefits: The recycling industry creates jobs and stimulates economic growth. Recycled rubber products, such as rubberized asphalt and playground surfaces, have a growing market demand, providing opportunities for businesses.

Energy Savings: Recycling tires uses less energy compared to producing new rubber from raw materials. This leads to lower carbon emissions and a reduced environmental footprint.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of copper granulator. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Conclusion