Sennebogen electric handlers get thumbs up in Ohio

Stanley, North Carolina-based Sennebogen LLC says two of its electric-powered models at an auto shredder yard in Ohio operated by Metalico have performed well and received positive reviews from the recycling firm.

At the Metalico Youngstown shredder yard in Girard, Ohio, two different Sennebogen electric models—one pedestal-mounted, the other on wheels—are helping move recycled steel and feed the shredder.

According to Sennebogen, one of its pedestal-mounted 840E models is loading the firm’s shredder. The company says the battery electric-powered pedestal machine was added to Metalico’s fleet in 2022. The crane is supplied with power by a 480-volt electrical conduit “through the ground to a shutoff switch,” says the equipment firm.

“The machine’s function to feed the shredder keeps it in one place, with no need to be mobile,” says Jim Smith of New Jersey-based Metalico’s Ohio division. “With [it] being in place, it just makes sense for it to be an electric machine. You don’t have the fuel cost, wear and tear and maintenance and upkeep of a diesel engine.”

The other Sennebogen electric machine at work for Metalico is its mobile 835E model, which the equipment provider describes as also being powered by a 480-line electric line, but in a cable reel configuration.

The 835E is equipped with a pony motor on the back of the machine, says Sennebogen, which comes into play when the machine is operating.  

In order to assist with the funding of their electric machines, Metalico applied for three grants through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Each one of those grants covered roughly 75 percent of the cost of the new equipment, which made it a lot easier to justify a new type of equipment with newer technology,” says Smith. Adds the Metalico staff member, “The application process was very straightforward and easy all the way through.”

Continues Smith, “Sometimes, it’s difficult to get people out of their comfort zone. People are afraid to change from things that they are comfortable with and are tried and true. Finding grants that went toward such a high percentage of the equipment cost made it a lot easier to approve the spending and try something new for us.”

Assessing the cost of electricity versus diesel fuel, Smith says, “The diesel equipment we replaced would typically run 40 hours a week. Consuming between 8,000 and 13,000 gallons of fuel per year at normal operating hours, you are looking at 5 to 7 gallons per operating hour. Our savings in diesel fuel costs greatly exceeds the extra electricity we use to run our machines. That right there is one key incentive.”

Going electric also has eliminated diesel engine maintenance, which has been a positive for Metalico, according to TJ Rosario, Metalico Youngstown tech manager. “It eliminates diesel maintenance and emission issues,” he remarks.

Continues Rosario, “Around three-fourths of [hydraulic handler] maintenance is diesel maintenance, so there’s a lot less maintenance than [with] a diesel. Another benefit is that the machines are already warmed up as soon as you get in.”

On the productivity front, Rosario adds, “With a diesel, you have to stop to fuel. With an electric machine, you plug it in and it goes from the time it starts in the morning to the time you shut it down.”

Comments Smith, “When you look at maintenance on a diesel engine, you are doing regular preventive maintenance steps like oil changes every 500 hours. You look at the cost of the oil change, the filters, the air filters . . . the cost of those services is eliminated with an electric machine.”

Smith and his colleague Bill Johnson say working with Sennebogen has added to their positive experience with the machines. “We have had great support when it comes to purchasing and maintaining [the handlers],” says Smith. “The machines are dependable and reliable, and we have had great success with them.”

“Hands down, Sennebogen is best in its class; someone will always answer your phone call and give you what you need,” says Johnson. “We have a lot of green in the yard. Once we went Sennebogen, we haven’t looked back.”