Scrap Metal Recycler increases productivity with Steelwrist

J Davidson Ltd are the leading processors of scrap cars and scrap metal in the Northwest. The business today is ran by the original founder’s son Jamie, along with his two sons Luke and Lee. In 2012 the operation moved into brand-new, purpose-built, state-of-the-art premises in Craven Road, Broadheath, a stone's throw from their original home in Viaduct Road.

Operating one of the most advanced scrap metal processing centres, J Davidson also boasts a fleet of twenty collection and delivery vehicles, which include a range of Volvo trucks, all airbrushed around the theme of action movies, including Die Hard, Terminator, Only Fools & Horses and James Bond.

Their treatment facility for end-of-life vehicles and ferrous and non-ferrous metals includes a 1000 tonne Lefort scrap shear, two Fuchs scrap material handlers and an extensive range of other plant and handling equipment. Investing in the most up to date equipment enables J Davidson to operate a showcase scrap metal processing site.

One of their most recent plant investments has been a JCB JS131 tracked excavator, which has been specially equipped with a Steelwrist SQ fully automatic quick coupler system supplied and installed by Warrington based attachment specialist ECY Haulmark. Along with investment in a brand new VTN CI700R scrap shear and a VTN MD140s selector grab, also both fitted with Steelwrist SQ adapter brackets, with a third SQ bracket installed to their existing Dynaset HMAG900 scrap magnet. The Steelwrist system enables the JCB machine to change between these various hydraulically powered attachments safely in seconds, making the machine altogether more versatile and productive.

The Davidsons commented; “This is our first machine with the Steelwrist SQ fully automatic quick coupler system. The benefit of fitting the system for us is that it makes one machine much more versatile, having the ability to switch so quickly between a shear, grab and a magnet makes completing small tasks around the yard so much easier. We are utilising the new VTN shear to cut our copper-coated cable into manageable lengths, the benefit being it becomes easier to feed into the cable stripper and lastly the copper into the granulator. The shear is also ideal for cutting up the smaller alloy structures.  Another benefit to installing Steelwrist to our new excavator is our operator no longer needs to leave the safety of the cab to change hoses over manually, which prevents hydraulic oil spills”. They added; “Our operators are delighted with the new JCB/Steelwrist machine setup and attachments”.

Video - Watch this setup in action