Application
Report 16
The Problem...
High Volume Crate and Pallet Disposal
Subaru of America Parts Distribution Center in Irvine, Calif., operates
a highly automated 150,000 sq. ft. warehouse with a staff of only 17
persons. The operation regularly receives an average of 10 ocean containers
of parts a week plus daily air shipments from Japan and domestic suppliers.
This generates a tremendous volume of large crates and pallet bins.
It took one full-time employee to break down the empty crates and place
them in open-top scrap bins. In addition to the costly labor, the waste
volume presented disposal problems...created unsightly conditions...used
up valuable warehouse space...and incurred excessive haul-off and disposal
expenses.
The Solution...
A Low-Speed BloApCo Vertical Pallet Shredder
A system was designed around a low-speed BloApCo vertical pallet shredder
with patented "Pierce-and-Tear" action that substantially reduces noise,
dust and throw-out of shredded pieces. Complete crates and pallet bins
as large as 58" wide by 48" high are loaded onto a 60" wide infeed conveyor
inside the building which transports the material through a wall opening,
discharging directly into the shredder. The shredded pieces then drop
into a compactor. The 40 cu. yd. compactor container is regularly hauled
away and returned the same day. The system features an overweight safety
plate built into the shredder infeed conveyor which shuts down the system
if anyone were to walk on the conveyor. According to Subaru, employee
acceptance of the system has been excellent and it has eliminated the
hard physical work and unsightly conditions. By cutting haul-off costs
by 75%, the system paid for itself in less than 24 months.
