Scrap Handler Guide -- Glossary Of Terms

Attachment-a lifting or shearing device attached to the end of the boom, stick or jib or the crane. Can be a grapple, magnet or mobile shear.

Banana Boom-the first part of the front of an excavator, curved like a banana, to aid in digging. Some scrap handler conversions retain the banana boom.

Blade-the removable cutting edge of a mobile shear.

Boom -the first and longest section of the front of a scrap handler.

Cab-the operator's compartment on a crane

Cab Riser -installed on converted scrap handlers to raise the cab high enough so the operator has a better view when handling scrap. Some handlers have cabs that are hydraulically operated that allow the operator to lower the cab when traveling, and raise it when handling scrap.

Cascading Effect-minor changes or damage to a magnet over time that eventually result in a complete breakdown of the magnet's lifting capabilities.

Coil-a tightly wound spool of conductor grade of copper or aluminum generally wound around a mild steel core. Its purpose is to conduct ampere flow, and to produce external flux-force lines. These are channeled through the magnet's north and south poles per a given turn direction to effect magnetic force that can be put to work.

Clamshell Bucket-span attachment with two opposing sides that open and close, like the shell of a clam. This attachment is used for picking up large quantities of small-sized scrap, such as frag or turnings.

Closed-Leaf Grapple-an attachment that has wide flanges on the tines that close any gaps when the grapple is closed. Ideal for picking up small pieces of scrap, as well as large pieces. Also called a Tulip Grapple.

Cold Amps-the ampere draw of the magnet when the magnet is at ambient air temperature. During typical magnet coil design ambient is regarded to be 25 degrees C.

Cold Amp Turns-the quantity obtained when multiplying the ampere draw of the magnet when the magnet is at ambient air temperature by the total number of turns in the magnet coil. The higher the number, the greater the lifting capacity.

Cold Kilowatts-the kilowatts needed to power a magnet when the magnet is at ambient air temperature. It is the quantity obtained when multiplying the direct current current voltage value input to the magnet coil by the ampere draw value.

Counterweight-weight added to an excavator to balance the machine when it is converted to handle scrap. Counterweight is also built into purpose-built scrap handlers.

Crawler-a type of scrap handler that maneuvers on an endless chain-track drive system. A crawler's tracks can have hard rubber pads attached to guard against damage to pavement.

Cylinder-refers to the hydraulic cylinders of a scrap handler.

D-Ring -a D-shaped ring that connects a magnet's chains to the tip of the crane's front. The special shape of the ring allows the links of the chains to have equal space, preventing unnecessary rubbing.

Deep Field Design-magnet designed with higher values of cold amp turns and/or changes in pole shoe design for deeper magnetic penetration into material being lifted.

Duty Cycle -the time it takes for a scrap handler to complete one period in which it lifts, moves, and drops a load of scrap and returns to its previous position. For lifting magnets, this includes a cool-down period in which the magnet is not energized.

Equilibrium Crane-a crane with a moveable counterweight that keeps the crane in perfect balance at all times. The top of the counterweight is linked to the end of the stick, so when the counterweight moves in and out, the stick moves, too.

Front-the arm of the crane that can include any combination of the boom, boom and stick or boom, stick and jib.

Generator-regulated direct current power source used to drive direct current motors and electromagnets.

Gooseneck-the end of the stick or jib that bends inward or down so that the attachment does not bang against it. Also called a droop nose.

Grapple-an attachment used to pick up scrap by using moveable tines or fingers, or two moveable jaws with tines.

Hard Surfacing-welding wire or stick electrode used to coat the wear surfaces on magnets and other heavy equipment in order to provide a more wear resistant surface. Usually in the form of a crisscross pattern along the edge of a lifting magnet designed to protect the magnet from excessive wear from rubbing against scrap or the inside of containers.

Head Seal-the seal around the top of a hydraulic cylinder that seals and guides the ram.

Hub-the pivot point of the cutting blade on a mobile shear.

Hydraulic Fluid-the fluid that moves the rams in and out.

Jib-the third, last and usually the smallest part of a three-piece front. Also called a tip.

Knife-the hydraulically operated top portion of the mobile shear that performs the cutting action.

Load-the total superimposed weight on the load block or hook.

Load Chart-a chart that graphically shows the carrying capacity of the scrap handler and the lifting range.

Log-Type Grapple-a grapple that was originally developed for the logging industry to handle tree trunks. It normally has two fingers that go into three fingers. This type of grapple can be used for handling large items of scrap such as auto hulks and metal tubes.

Long Lift-a situation where the lifting magnet does not have time to cool down and generates more heat than it can dissipate.

Magnet-an electromagnetic attachment to pick up loads magnetically.

Main Seal-a seal in the hydraulic cylinder casing that holds the pressure created by the hydraulic fluid. Mobile Shear-an attachment that uses one main hydraulically or mechanically operated knife with replaceable blades that closes against blades located in a stationary bottom piece called the anvil in a scissors-like motion.

Ohm's Law-states the strength of a direct current is directly proportional to the potential difference and inversely proportional to the resistance of the circuit. An ohm is a meter-kilogram-second unit of electrical resistance equal to the resistance of a circuit in which a potential difference of one volt produces a current of one amp. Mathematically, resistance or ohms (R) equals volts (E) divided by amps (I).

O-Ring -a round ring that holds the links of the magnet chain and attaches to the stick or jib of the front.

Orange Peel Grapple-a multi-tine grapple that opens and closes, resembling the peeling of an orange.

Outrigger-moveable supports at the corners of the scrap handler's base that extend to provide a wider base and more stability.

Parrot Beak-a small tooth at the tip of the knife of a mobile shear that allows the operator to pick up scrap more effectively. Also called a tip.

Pin-the piece that holds a mobile shear or grapple to the boom.

Pole Shoes-the lower extended portions of a magnet that contact the material being lifted. Typical round scrap magnets and rectangular bar magnets have an outerpole(s) which is part of the outside of the magnet case and a centerpole which is a part of or an extension of the center core of the magnet. The poles are opposite magnetic polarity of each other, thus providing more powerful lift on ferrous material.

Ram-the part of the hydraulic cylinder that moves according to the amount of hydraulic pressure being placed on it by the hydraulic fluid.

Rail Crane-a scrap handler designed to operate on train tracks.

Rated Load-the maximum load for which a crane or individual hoist is designed and built by the manufacturer and shown on the equipment nameplate(s).

Slew Ring-the turning gear that allows a mobile shear to rotate.

Standard Field-a term used to describe the normal magnetic field of a lifting magnet.

Stationary Crane-a scrap handler permanently fixed in one spot.

Stick-The second member of the front of a crane. Also referred to as the dipper arm.

Stick Guard-flanges welded onto the stick to protect the hydraulic lines.

Three-Piece Front-a front of a scrap handler that consists of a boom, stick and jib (tip).

Throat-the part of the mobile shear in front of the hub, or the mouth of the shear.

Tine-the prong of a grapple.

Tired handler-a scrap handler that has rubber tires. Also called a wheeled handler.

Turntable Bearing-the bearing where upon the upper body of the crane is attached. Engagement of the turntable bearing rotates the upper body 360 degrees.

Two-Into-Three Grapple-a grapple that has two fingers that go into three. Used for lifting larger pieces of scrap. Also called a log-type grapple.

Two-Piece Front-a front consisting of a boom and a stick.

Undercarriage-the part of the crane below the turntable bearing.