Given the current economic climate, you could argue there’s never been a better time to maximise the ROI you’re able to achieve from your waste and recycling technologies. We continuously work with our customers to help them achieve more throughputs, greater efficiencies and reduced downtime from our shredders. And the greatest thing of all is that the secret to improved performance isn’t always that difficult!

So, in this latest blog, our senior service engineer Ben Styles offers 10 tips to optimise your UNTHA shredder, without any involvement from our customer support specialists!

1. Clean the shredder thoroughly at the end of each shift

We know that hours in the day can feel limited, and you’d probably rather your shredder is running for the maximum possible time, per shift. But a simple clean-down of the cutting chamber and hopper – if nothing else – will help to avoid the build-up of unshredded matter and dust.

2. Check gearbox oil

Every shredder has a sight glass located on or near the gearbox, which allows the operator to complete a daily ‘at a glance’ check to see when a top-up may be required.

3. Don’t forget lubrication

Grease all lubrication points regularly – a large proportion of bearing failures occur because the customer presumes bearings only need greasing at service intervals.

4. Consider your cutters

On UNTHA’s four shaft shredders, cutter refurbishments can prolong the life of cutters by up to 300%, whilst on our XRs, simple cutter adjustments can boost performance.

5. Check for wear and tear

Linked to point 4, when cutters wear or become damaged, throughput drops and power consumption increases. Simple sight-based checks can therefore help to optimise the shredding process, and free telephone advice is always available from UNTHA’s engineering department.

6. Check screens

Many customers overlook the fact that screens form part of the cutting system. Screen wear or damage can therefore have a detrimental effect on throughputs and homogenous particle sizing, if the condition is not monitored.

7. Look at loading

Even the way a shredder is loaded can have a negative impact on performance. Where possible, the UNTHA team try to make loading recommendations at the point of machine commissioning, but sometimes our advice is overlooked. In simple terms though, it’s important not to overload the shredder as this will only slow the process down, not speed it up!

8. Prioritise preventative maintenance

It’s an age-old saying that prevention is cheaper than cure, but when it comes to shredder optimisation this adage can make a world of difference! It is far easier – and more cost-effective – to implement quick routine checks, than it is to devise an emergency solution for an unplanned breakdown. Our advice here is to run the shredder empty, at the start of each shift, and simply listen! Any unusual noises may indicate that there’s a hidden problem – give us a call if that’s the case!

9. Take care of auxiliary plant

Infeed and outfeed equipment, plus other downstream kit, must also form part of the ‘monitoring’ process when it comes to technological optimisation. So, always ensure infeed and outfeed systems are transporting materials correctly, for example, because any obstructions or reduced performance associated with this auxiliary plant will inevitably impact on the shredder too.

10. Stick to recommended materials

The material that each shredder is capable of processing, is always clearly stated in our OCs and manuals. However robust our equipment, this guidance should always be observed if maximum performance is sought. Any deviation could result in lower throughputs, an increase in power consumption or even internal machine damage. Many of our shredders are flexible of course, and can be reconfigured with ease, but we would always recommend speaking to us first if the technology specification changes.

Looking for even more shredder optimisation tips? Did you know we offer a range of service and maintenance packages from as little as £50 per month? To chat through your options, please call 0845 450 5388 E: service@untha.co.uk  and one of our team will be happy to assist.