Are you in the market for a wood granulator? While most people browse cars or furniture for sale, a few are looking for machines that turn entire logs and woody leftovers into chips and pellets fit for reuse. Many industrial powerhouses need granulators for biomass fuel ventures. But just like cars and furniture, there are lots of options, and it can be hard to narrow down the search. This blog post can help.
What Exactly Is a Wood Granulator?
Wood granulators are large industrial machines used to process wood waste. Imagine a wood chipper’s bigger and stronger older brother. Granulators are capable of chewing through branches, pallets, and many awkward wooden leftovers from construction sites. A wood granulator reduces wood waste into small, uniform particles, perfect for biomass fuel, pellets, mulch, or compost.
So, what should you consider when choosing a wood granulator machine? Here are nine buyer’s tips.
1. What Wood
It’s important to be clear about what kind of wood you need to process. Softwoods like pine are a cinch to process, but if you’re throwing in hardwoods like oak or hickory, you’ll need a granulator that can handle them without overheating.
Don’t forget to factor in foreign objects. If your wood is full of nails, screws, or the occasional rusty hinge, make sure your granulator has magnetic separation features. If you are getting wood from others to recycle, make sure to ask about impurities and whether the type of wood will change.
2. Size Matters
When it comes to wood granulators, size is a key consideration. There are a range of sizes and capabilities between these two extremes:
- Compact Granulators: Great for small-scale operations. They’re like a food processor for wood, quick, efficient, and manageable.
- Industrial Granulators: The Hulk of granulators, these machines crush logs like twigs and can operate for extended time periods.
Don’t buy a machine that’s “just enough.” It’s better to have room to grow and not overwork a small machine.
3. Power
Wood granulators can be powered by electricity or diesel, and some can even use PTO (power take-off) from a tractor. Which one you choose depends on your needs and location:
- Electric Granulators: Perfect for environmentally conscious users with access to a stable power supply.
- Diesel Granulators: Great for off-grid operations or mobile units that need to be taken into the wilderness.
- PTO Granulators: Ideal for farmers or forestry workers who have tractors handy.
4. Maintenance
Every granulator will need some amount of regular maintenance. Like any piece of equipment: if you take care of a granulator it will take care of you by performing consistently and well. However, some machines are much easier to look after than others. Look for models with easy-to-replace blades, accessible grease points, and clear maintenance instructions.
5. Safety
In the past, wood granulators were responsible for many health and safety incidents. Recently, entrepreneurs and operators have taken safety much more seriously, reducing incident rates. However, safety features are still important to look for before buying a new machine. These include things like:
- Emergency stop buttons
- Safety shields to keep stray chips from flying out
- Automatic shut-off features for jams
Remember, no amount of cost savings or productivity gains are worth compromises in safety. Fortunately, the best granulators for business are also outfitted with safety features in today’s market.
6. Noise and Vibration
You have to be reasonable here. No granulator is whisper-quiet, but some are less obnoxious than others. Consider where the machine will be, who is living or working nearby and what other users’ reviews say about noise. Some granulators come with sound-dampening features which may seem extraneous but can make a machine much more practical.
7. Cost Effectiveness
Wood granulators come in a variety of price ranges. Even low-end granulators are worth a few thousand dollars while high-end ones are much more expensive. Consider not just the upfront cost but the long-term cost-effectiveness by weighing these three costs:
- Initial Price
- Operational Costs: electricity, diesel, employee numbers
- Maintenance: blades, lubrication, and spare parts
A cheap granulator might save you money upfront but cost you a fortune in downtime and repairs.
8. The Dealer
When buying a granulator, pick a reputable dealer. Avoid shady online listings. While second-hand granulators may work, a new machine often comes with a range of benefits that second-hand machines don’t. Granulator manufacturers help their customers by:
- Offering warranties
- Providing after-sales support
- Helping install granulators
9. Read Reviews
Before you commit, scouring the internet and connections in the industry for product reviews is a good idea. Look for recurring themes like:
- Ease of use
- Durability
- Customer support experiences
Conclusion
Buying a wood granulator is a significant investment worthy of time and research. ECO Green specializes in industrial-size granulators with cutting-edge safety features and unparalleled efficiency. They also offer exceptional customer support. If you are serious about getting into the wood recycling industry, try starting with ECO Green Equipment.
