If you have ever been to a distribution center, you know that the are bustling ecosystems unto themselves. In addition to the regular business operations that occur, there is a need for constant mitigation of waste and recycling products that are generated in large quantities. The efficiency of these processes has an impact on throughput, routing, safety, and overall expenses. Distribution center balers, whether they are vertical or horizontal in nature, help to provide a innovative solution to all of these challenges.
Distribution Center Waste Challenges
The most common bi-products of distribution center operations are OCC and shrink wrap. Both of these cost a great deal of money and time to remove as waste, but can be baled and recycled for additional revenue.
Other benefits of recycling these commodities include:
- Eliminating debris hazard in work areas
- Reduced hauling costs for waste removal
- Improved utilities and employee safety from having to remove waste from inside facility
Baling of these products can be done with a vertical or horizontal baler, as stand alone units, or in combination with a variety of hopper, tipper, or conveyor fed systems.
How To Choose Between A Vertical Or Horizontal Distribution Center Baler
Vertical Distribution Balers
A Distribution Center Using Two Harmony M60STD Balers To Bale Both OCC & Shrink Wrap.
Vertical Balers are smaller than horizontal balers, and are oriented with the cylinder vertically so that they take up less operational space. This gives a clear advantage to applications with less volume of product to recycle or space in which to operate. They are also more budget friendly, easier to ship and install, and are safe and easy to operate and maintain.
Quality vertical balers, like Harmony’s M60STD 60 Inch Vertical Baler allow for front side hydraulic ejection, but require the bale to be tied manually. They are also typically manually fed from the front side of the baler. Other models, like Harmony’s T60XDRC can be customized with conveyors and hoppers for automatic feeding.
Distribution centers typically have a large to very large throughput of OCC or shrink wrap. 60″ vertical balers are the most common solution of this type because of their larger feed openings that create mill-sized bales, which are more desirable for transport.
Understanding the structural integrity and hydraulics in a vertical baler will go a long way to making sure its the right application for a distribution center. The M60STD is made with solid steel construction with a powerful 6″ cylinder and 4″ rod for longer life.
Horizontal Distribution Balers
An HM-A160 is an auto tie horizontal baler that allows for continuous feeding and tying of bales.
Horizontal balers are often the preferred baler for distribution centers with a large volume of waste products. Although they are more expensive, they allow for continuous feeding of the product into a multitude of configurations, including hoppers, conveyors, pits, and tippers. They allow for a greater volume of products to be automatically fed without disturbing other employees or operations.
Horizontal balers like Harmony’s HM-60 Closed Door Manual Tie Baler use an HMI interface to predetermine the bale weight and size based on commodity and customer need. It also has shear blade technology that prevents material from jamming when fed into the baler.
Harmony’s HM-A160 Open End Auto Tie Baler automatically ties bales as they are fed into the machine, safely ejecting them onto pallets for continuous throughput and maximum efficiency.
When looking into horizontal balers, take note of whether or not they are made with interlocking steel construction of the chassis, have ram wear blocks, hydraulic regeneration circuits, key lock cylinders, and high strength steel plate doors, which all lead to a longer lasting piece of equipment.
How To Get The Right Solution
Harmony can help you decide which type of model is the right solution for your distribution baler by offering you a no-obligation site review. During this process, our experience sales professionals will use our Proven Process to assess your needs, and provide you with an affordable and long-lasting solution optimized for your business. One of the benefits in working with Harmony is that we offer a wide range of solutions, ensuring that you are not pigeon-holed into a one-sized fits all proposal. Our distribution balers are Made In The USA, and over 90% of our components come from Midwestern suppliers.
When proposing your distribution baler solution, special consideration is made to:
- Type of waste
- Volume of waste and throughput
- Operational Footprint
- Staffing Constraints
- Budget/Cost Savings
- Desired Outcomes
- Safety
Once the solution is proposed, we work closely with you to ensure that is implemented and installed seamlessly. We provide training of your personnel and can establish preventive maintenance plans to keep your equipment working as designed well into the future. With our partnership approach, we will be here to help you achieve your goals long after the sale is made.
When you are ready to learn more about distribution center balers, give Harmony a call at (507) 886-6666 or Contact Us using our quick and easy internet contact form. We look forward to helping you optimize your distribution center operations today!
